FY 2018 Saltwater Recreational Fishing License Report
Introduction
Every time an angler buys a saltwater fishing license, they’re investing in the health of South Carolina’s coastal fisheries.
That’s because the majority of dollars spent on saltwater fishing licenses pass through the South Carolina Recreational Fisheries License Program to support saltwater fisheries research, management, and outreach activities at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Since 1992, the revenue for this program has come from saltwater annual, temporary, three-year charterboat, and pier licenses.
During the 2018 fiscal year (July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018, also called FY 2018), 218,429 citizens and visitors purchased saltwater fishing licenses, generating $2,685,233.
These funds supported nine different projects spanning the coast and including everything from cutting-edge genetic science, oyster reef mapping by drone, and fishing tournaments for young anglers. Below are some highlights from the most recent year.
FY 2018 Highlights
Artificial Reefs
- In FY 2018, saltwater license funds supported fifteen different artificial reef projects across the coast of South Carolina, to which 300,000 cubic feet of new fish-attracting material were added.
- One of the most significant artificial reef additions of the year was the retired Highway 41 swing bridge. After its removal in Mount Pleasant, the bridge was welded to the deck of a large barge and sunk at the Charleston Deep Reef Marine Protected Area.
Inshore Fisheries Monitoring and Research
- Saltwater license fees help fund four of the most critical long-term surveys SCDNR biologists conduct to study our popular gamefish species: the trammel net, electrofishing, longline, and benthic trawl surveys.
- The trammel net team completed 899 sets across the coast in FY 2018, collecting 16,030 marine animals, the majority of which are released alive.
- Electrofishing biologists made 332 electrofishing sets, which caught 25,878 specimens. Striped mullet represented the most commonly seen species by a large margin, with spot the second-most common.
- Biologists completed 357 longline sets, catching 2,078 animals, with the Atlantic sharpnose shark the most commonly caught species.
Stock Enhancement
- In Fall 2017, well over one million young red drum were raised and released into Winyah Bay, the ACE Basin, and the North Edisto River to supplement the local wild population of fish.
- SCDNR biologists reared and released nearly 800,000 young spotted seatrout into Charleston Harbor to continue studying the most effective size and season at which to stock seatrout.
- Staff released nearly 9,000 juvenile cobia into the Colleton River in 2017 and continue work to rear more cobia for release.
Genetics
- Staff completed a large-scale genetic analysis of weakfish from nine different states along the Eastern seaboard, confirming that the weakfish along the Southeastern coast belong to one genetically similar family and may appropriately be managed as one unit.
Recreational Fisheries Survey
- Staff conducted 280 interviews with anglers to learn about the species, sizes, and numbers of fish being caught in coastal South Carolina waters.
Oyster Shell Recyling, Research, and Management
- In FY 2018, SCDNR staff collected and recycled a record 31,466 bushels of oyster shells, making it one of the largest shell recycling programs in the country.
- SCDNR biologists planted 32,450 bushels of oyster shells to create oyster reef habitat along approximately 1.5 miles of shoreline.
- Staff worked to develop high-quality oyster reef maps using aerial images captured by drone.
Blue Crab and Shrimp Research
- Each quarter, staff trawled at 24 sites across the coast to monitor the size, numbers, and reproductive status of white and brown shrimp and blue crabs in South Carolina waters.
Marine Outreach and Education
- Over 6,000 students and teachers participated in SCDNR marine education programs in FY 2018.
- Staff delivered approximately 194,000 copies of SCDNR-printed materials to 115 vendors along the coast (e.g., rules and regulations books, fish rulers, fish identification charts).
The FY 2018 Saltwater Recreational Fishing License Report is provided in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format. Adobe Reader is required to open these files and is available as a free download from the Adobe website.