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Gettys Brannon

@gettysbrannon

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President & CEO @scbfa 🏆 College Fishing National Champion | @boatingindustry 40 Under 40
#BoatFishSC

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This Friday, South Carolina anglers begin their long-awaited 14-day red snapper season. In a new commentary for @PostandCourier, SCBFA President and CEO @GettysBrannon explains why those 14 days are about much more than access.

With a defined harvest limit, free permits, required trip declarations and electronic catch reporting, this is a responsible opportunity to collect real-time data and prove whether South Carolina can manage recreational access. It is a state-led approach already proven in Gulf red snapper management.

The point is simple: If better data, stronger accountability and meaningful state-federal cooperation are truly the goal, South Carolina and the South Atlantic states deserves the chance to test the solution.

Conservation must remain paramount, but it should not be confused with exclusion. Healthy fisheries and meaningful recreational access can coexist.

Read the full commentary at the link in our comments.

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The longest red snapper season in 17 years is coming to South Carolina 🎣

South Carolina anglers will have at least 14 days of recreational access to red snapper this fall following NOAA Fisheries’ approval of the state’s EFP.

The October 9–22 season is 12 days longer than last year and represents an important first step toward long-term state management of the South Atlantic red snapper fishery.

“This is the most meaningful access South Carolina anglers have had to this fishery in more than 15 years, but the bigger story is where we go from here,” said SCBFA President & CEO Gettys Brannon. “Fourteen days is a significant win, but proving that state-led management works could fundamentally change how this fishery is managed for years to come.”

Attorney General @alanwilsonsc, who has been a strong advocate for greater state involvement in red snapper management, also weighed in:

“I’ve always said South Carolina knows best how to manage the fisheries off our coast,” said Attorney General Wilson. “This EFP is an important step toward state-led management and gives us the opportunity to collect better data while protecting the resource. I look forward to continuing our work to ensure South Carolina anglers have fair access to an abundant fishery for years to come.”

⚠️ Angler participation and reporting will be critical. Participating anglers must follow SCDNR permitting, trip declaration and reporting requirements. The experimental harvest permit is free.

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Big news for anglers and boaters. 🎣🇺🇸

The bipartisan MAPOceans Act has passed Congress and is headed to President Trump’s desk.

“SCBFA has been proud to support the MAPOceans Act from the beginning. We especially thank Congressman @RepRussellFry for his leadership in the House and Senators @AngusKingMaine and @SenTedCruz for getting it across the finish line in the Senate. This is a commonsense win that will make our public waters easier to navigate and fishing regulations easier to understand for anglers across the country.”

— @GettysBrannon, President & CEO, SCBFA

Thank you as well to Congressman @RepMikeLevin for his bipartisan leadership alongside Congressman Fry. A great win for recreational fishing and boating access.

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Monday afternoon, SCBFA Chairman Russ Tomlinson, President & CEO @GettysBrannon and founding board member and @tidewaterboats owner Jimmy Metts welcomed U.S. Senator @darlinegrahamsc and her team to Tidewater Boats in Lexington.

The visit offered a firsthand look at the people, craftsmanship and innovation powering South Carolina’s boatbuilding industry. South Carolina is home to six of the world’s top 10 boat builders and produces more than 22% of the outboard-powered fiberglass boats sold in the United States each year.

Manufacturers like Tidewater are an important part of a boating and fishing industry that supports more than 27,000 jobs statewide and contributes nearly $7 billion to South Carolina’s economy.

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Legends never die. Forever the Man in Black. 🇺🇸

I enjoyed talking with @thomasgabrielofficial about @johnnycash and his deep agricultural roots. His grandfather never forgot where he came from on his family’s farm in rural Arkansas. God bless the Cash family and the Tennessee Four!

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The South Carolina boating and fishing community lost one of its strongest advocates this weekend.

The rest of the country knew Senator Lindsey Graham for the major role he played in shaping national and international issues that dominated the headlines. We knew him as someone who never believed South Carolina’s outdoors was too small to matter.

Some of the most important work he did for South Carolina never made the front page. Whether it was fighting the misguided right whale vessel speed rule or pushing back against federal fisheries management overreach, Senator Graham understood that decisions made in Washington have real consequences for the people who live, work, and fish in South Carolina.

When we brought these issues to him, he would often shake his head and say, “Even by D.C. standards, this is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. I’ve got your back.”

And he did.

Senator Graham will be deeply missed. We are grateful for his friendship, his leadership, and his unwavering support of South Carolina’s boating and fishing community. We extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to his family, his staff, and all South Carolinians.

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Public comments on NOAA’s Vessel Speed Rule are open through TOMORROW, June 2.

As SCBFA President & CEO Gettys Brannon said in @nytimes last week: “Regulations that were written 20 years ago shouldn’t remain frozen in time despite major advances in technology. In 2008, most people didn’t even have smartphones yet.”

We can protect right whales while also embracing modern technology, updated science, and practical solutions that protect boating access and coastal economies.

Make your voice heard and submit a public comment through the link in our Instagram story. 🐋🛥️🇺🇸

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For the first time in our organization’s history, SCBFA is proud to endorse a candidate for public office: Senator @stephengoldfinch for South Carolina Attorney General. 🇺🇸🎣🛥️

Stephen Goldfinch has been one of the strongest advocates for South Carolina’s outdoors community in the State Senate, leading the charge to:
✅ Cut the nation’s highest boat property taxes
✅ Support state-based fisheries management
✅ Pass black bass and snapper-grouper legislation
✅ Create and fund South Carolina’s flounder hatchery
✅ Increase funding for marine fisheries
✅ Push back against federal overreach impacting South Carolina boaters and anglers

At a time when environmental activist groups continue filing lawsuits threatening access for sportsmen and women, South Carolina needs an Attorney General who understands both conservation and access.

Stephen Goldfinch understands that protecting our natural resources and defending South Carolina’s outdoor heritage go hand in hand.

We encourage outdoorsmen and women across South Carolina to join us in supporting Stephen Goldfinch for Attorney General.

Read our full statement from SCBFA Chairman Russ Tomlinson ⬆️

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From 2 to 62 — NOAA Approves S.C.’s EFP for 60+ Day Snapper Season for 2026 🚨

NOAA Fisheries has approved South Carolina’s Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP), allowing a 62-day red snapper season in federal waters off South Carolina from July 1 through August 31.

Under the permit:
🎣 1 red snapper per angler, per day
📏 Minimum size: 20 inches
🌊 Federal waters off the South Carolina coast

For years, South Atlantic anglers were limited to one- and two-day seasons despite an abundant fishery. These state-led EFPs will allow the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) to gather more accurate data and use sound science to guide future fisheries management decisions.

We are grateful to the Trump Administration, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, the South Carolina Congressional Delegation — including Congressman @reprussellfry, co-chair of the Congressional Red Snapper Task Force — along with state leaders SCDNR Director @mullikintom, Senator @stephengoldfinch, Senator Chip Campsen, Rep. Lee Hewitt, Governor Henry McMaster, and Attorney General Alan Wilson for their leadership and support on this issue over the last several years.

More information from SCDNR will be announced in the coming weeks.

#BoatFishSC

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Partied hard for the Plexico’s 🥂🎉

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Governor McMaster has officially signed H.3858 into law, cutting the nation’s highest boat property taxes nearly in half and eliminating outboard engine titling and double taxation.

This didn’t happen because of politics. It happened because people spoke up.

From boat ramps to small businesses, South Carolinians made their voices heard, and lawmakers listened. That’s how you cut the nation’s highest boat property taxes.

We are grateful for the leadership of Rep. @gbrewer04, Sen. @stephengoldfinch, countless legislators, and @govhenrymcmaster for seeing this through.

One boat. One bill. One loud voice.

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The future of South Carolina Agriculture is STRONG!

I am blessed by the outpouring of support on display last night at the midlands icon, @bluemarlin_sc. Special thanks to restauranteurs, Mr. Bill Dukes and Ryan Dukes, for their southern hospitality.

I was truly humbled to be joined by @govhenrymcmaster , First Lady Peggy McMaster, Senate President Thomas Alexander, and @schousespeaker @murrellsmith ; as well as numerous farmers, business leaders, and elected officials who truly care about the next chapter of South Carolina agriculture.

Together, we will protect our farms, our families, and our future. 🌙🌴 🇺🇸🐟

#smallbusiness #FarmHouseToStateHouse
#shoplocal #farmtotable

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