CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (May 25, 2022) – Red snapper are not often caught within South Carolina state waters, but a new law will allow anglers along the coast to take advantage of some they do encounter. The South Carolina General Assembly recently passed legislation that allows for year-round harvest of up to two red snapper per person per day with a minimum size of 20 inches total length in state waters. The creel and size limits mirror those found in neighboring Georgia and Florida (Atlantic) state waters. The new regulations (introduced as S.980 by Senators Campsen and Goldfinch) took effect recently upon signature by Governor McMaster. Red snapper are among the most prized fish in southeastern waters, with their mild, sweet meat a quintessential offering at seafood restaurants. They’re exceptionally long-lived, topping out at around 50 years of age and 50 pounds. Snapper occupy multiple levels of the ocean food chain, serving both as prey for large, carnivorous fish and sea turtles as well as predator to smaller fish and crustaceans. Possession of red snapper in federal waters is still prohibited outside of the occasional mini-season. NOAA Fisheries recently announced that recreational red snapper season in federal waters will next open on July 8-9, 2022.
