(A) Any sturgeon taken during the closed season or in closed areas or with unauthorized equipment must be released immediately back into the waters where taken.

(B) A person taking or possessing any Atlantic sturgeon or any part or product thereof, except as allowed by regulations set by the department, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than five hundred dollars and not more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 50-5-1525

  • Commercial purpose: means :

    (a) being engaged in buying or selling fish;

    (b) taking or attempting to take fish in order to derive income or other consideration;

    (c) using commercial equipment; and

    (d) otherwise being engaged in the fisheries industry with the intent to derive income. See South Carolina Code 50-5-15
  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Department: means the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources unless otherwise stated. See South Carolina Code 50-5-15
  • Person: means an individual, a partnership, a firm, a corporation, an association, or other legal entity. See South Carolina Code 50-21-10

(C) A person taking or possessing for a commercial purpose, buying, or selling any Atlantic sturgeon or any part or product thereof, except as allowed by regulations set by the department, is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not less than one thousand dollars and not more than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than thirty days and must have his saltwater privileges suspended for twelve months.