COASTAL OBSERVER

Dozens of anglers urged Georgetown County Council this week to reject rather than defer an amendment to its beach regulations that would restrict surf fishing, including a few who, during Shark Week, said the county’s premise that fishing poses a threat to swimmers is flawed.

Greg Haskins, a fishing guide in Murrells Inlet, told the council the measure also violates the state Constitution. He filed suit this week in Horry County challenging its ban on shark fishing.

“My ability to continue to make a living is under attack,” he said.

Others called the amendment that received the second of three required readings last month an attack on tradition. It would prohibit commercial or shark fishing from the beaches and limit surf fishing to 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. from May through September.

Council Chairman Clint Elliott said the change was prompted by complaints about a commercial operation that brought people to Georgetown County to fish for sharks because of Horry County’s prohibition.

The beach regulations already prohibit fishing that creates unsafe conditions.

The fear of sharks is irrational, but it’s real, Haskins said.

“No one has ever died from a shark attack in Georgetown County waters,” he said. 

But he said it would be appropriate to limit shark fishing from the beach from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. during tourist season.

“I understand that the fear of sharks is a real fear, therefore it is not unreasonable for there to be times during certain months that shark fishermen are not on the beach,” Haskins said.

John Johnson told the council that there have been only eight reported shark attacks in the county since 1837. Surf fishing wasn’t mentioned in any, he said.

“It’s evident y’all don’t go to the beach much,” James Tyner, an angler for 60 years, told the council. “People don’t want to fish around swimmers.”

He said surf fishing and swimming usually occur at different times of day.

“The proposal is ridiculous,” Jill Caines said. She dismissed the concern about sharks, adding,  “we are living in their waters.”

Although the council agreed unanimously with Elliott’s motion to “postpone” final reading of the amendment, that was met with a chorus of boos.

“Trash it,” Ginger Pop, a former wildlife officer, told the council.

Jason Rosenberg, a doctor and a charter captain, and Michael Shope, a fishing guide, said if the county needed to change the ordinance, it should consult with experts and the public first.

Craig Cumbie, who ran for County Council last year, placed the blame on the county administrator, Angela Christian. He called on her to resign.