South Carolina Formally Recognizes Bartram’s Bass
On April 11th, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster signed Act #137 into law, marking significant legislation that specifically recognizes Bartram’s bass and includes them in its legal protections.
The South Carolina redeye bass, locally known as Bartram’s bass, are currently being studied by South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for unique species designation. Should they receive this unique species designation, the South Carolina Government has amended section 50-13-10 to define the species of Bartram’s bass (and Alabama bass) and section 50-13-210 to add limits for the Bartram’s bass (and Alabama bass).
Before reaching the governor’s desk, the state house voted 104-0 in favor of the act on February 23rd and the state senate voted 45-0 in favor of the act on March 23rd.
This is great news for native fish coming out of South Carolina - the state has wisely acted proactively to protect their native redeyes should they be recognized as genetically unique in the coming months.