It is unlawful to take, possess, sell, or purchase a living whelk (conch) of the genus Busycon of less than a size as determined by the department but not less than four inches in maximum dimension if taken or landed in this State for a commercial purpose, provided this prohibition does not apply to conchs of less than legal size taken during lawful trawling which are returned immediately to the water.
S.C. Code § 50-5-1020