Myrtle Beach looking to keep sharks away from shore

Myrtle Beach is looking at taking steps to make sure sharks stay away from the city’s shore.

Myrtle Beach City Council on Tuesday will consider an ordinance that would prohibit fisherman from throwing fish parts into the water.

“It’s an effort to make sure that we aren’t even accidentally attracting dangerous fish into our swim zone,” city spokesman Mark Kruea said.

There have been a number of shark bites reported at beaches as nearby as North Carolina in recent weeks and Kruea said the city, though it already has a law on the books that prohibits fishing for sharks, wanted to take additional steps to keep beachgoers safe.

Kruea said sometimes fisherman will clean the fish they catch while still on the pier.

“This takes away the accidental feeding that could occur either when fishermen clean fish and throw parts into the ocean or chum for food,” he said.

The ordinance, if passed, would require owners of piers in city limits to post signs telling those fishing about the new rule and provide a container to dispose of fish parts.

Operators of 2nd Ave Pier and Pier 14 could not be reached for comment on Monday.

City Manager John Pedersen in a note with the ordinance also will request that City Council ask the Coastal Alliance to consider the initiative as well. Coastal Alliance is a group that represents cities and towns along the Grand Strand and Horry County.

If passed on Tuesday, the law would take effect upon second reading of the ordinance, which could occur at the next City Council meeting July 28.

This story was originally published July 13, 2015 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Myrtle Beach looking to keep sharks away from shore."