FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 5, 2010

Murrells Inlet - Avid saltwater fisherman and outdoorsman, Carroll Campbell today announced that he stands behind an effort to protect the livelihood of South Carolina recreational and commercial fisherman and the tourism industry, which relies on fisherman from around the country coming to fish in South Carolina’s waters.

The White House’s proposed National Ocean Council would implement policy and restrictions on coastal and inland fishing, directly affecting and interfering with South Carolina’s South Atlantic red snapper fishery. These restrictions would threaten recreational fishing, which is a $125 billion dollar industry in the U.S. and supports over 1 million jobs across the country. The restrictions would also severely curtail the $5 billion that anglers have provided through excise taxes on fishing tackle to fishery conservation and education for decades.

Today Campbell is backing H.R.3307, a bill sponsored by coastal Congressional Republicans, would direct the Commerce Department to conduct a study of the South Atlantic red snapper population and would prohibit the government from closing fishing areas before such a report demonstrates the need for limiting fishing in these waters.

Mr. Campbell discussed the issue, and his support of anglers, in an interview on WMBF in Myrtle Beach last week.

“Let’s face it: this is an attempt by the government to close fishing areas across the country. The Administration has failed to take into account the economic and cultural effects this would have on local fisherman and on tourists coming to South Carolina’s coasts to enjoy a weekend fishing trip,” Carroll Campbell said. “I’ve always been a conservationist, but we need to trust the fishermen who make their lives off of our coastal waters not some government bureaucrats.”

Campbell joins with the America Sportfishing Association in keeping coastal waters accessible for the public and for South Carolina’s commercial fisherman whose lives depend on it. He is a supporter of the Charleston Deep Reef Project. And he is an active promoter of the South Carolina Memorial Reef and the S.C. Governor’s Cup Billfishing Series - created by his father - former Governor Carroll Campbell, Jr. - to promote the state's billfishing tournament industry, increase coastal tourism and encourage the conservation of ocean resources.

Carroll Campbell served as Treasurer and Secretary of the South Carolina State Ports Authority's Board of Directors. He is a successful small businessman who previously worked for Fortune 500 South Carolina employers. Serving on past and current Boards of Directors for the South Carolina Economic Development Association, the University of South Carolina's Board of Visitors, the Newberry College Board of Trustees, the Richland Memorial Hospital Center for Cancer Treatment, Ducks Unlimited, and as Past Chairman of the Palmetto Alzheimer's Association; Carroll Campbell has been a leader in the state of South Carolina.

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