Hello Everyone,
I’m hoping that you all will take the time to read this and comment. I’m not trying to toot the DNR horn or anything, I just want to see if avid anglers have noticed a difference.
Since 2008 SCDNR has been actively planting loose shell oyster reefs at 26 sites in Charleston Harbor Watershed as part of the mitigation plan for the construction of the new Cooper River shipping terminal. We have planted 9.45 acres or 3.5 linear miles of oyster shell on Hobcaw Creek, Clouter Creek, Cooper River, Wando River, Beresford Creek and Horlbeck Creek. If you frequent these areas during the summer you have probably seen the PVC poles marking the areas and the planting barge blowing shells into the water.
One of the reasons we plant oyster shells is to create habitat for fish, crabs and shrimp. I was wondering if any of you are actively fishing any of these reefs? If so, I am wondering if anyone has seen any increases in catch around any of these sites?
We are working diligently to construct more oyster reefs in the Charleston Harbor Watershed every year. Currently it is estimated that we have around 87 acres of naturally occurring oysters in the watershed. By 2017 we will have constructed a minimum of 15.5 acres through our restoration efforts(an increase of 18%). We have more than tripled the acreage of oysters on the Cooper River since 2008.
I can be reached via email at hodgesm@dnr.sc.gov if you have any further questions, comments or concerns that you don’t want to make on charleston fishing.
Thanks for your time,
Michael Hodges
Another Day, Another Oyster
Bravo to you, DNR, and all the volunteers who help with this effort!
I can’t think of a better or more effective way to improve the health of the inshore waters and fishery than this.
I actively fish several of these areas and it has been amazing. Please keep up the good work…
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.sswaonline.com
Haven’t caught in fish on the oyster “reefs” yet, but I can’t beach the boat and catch Fiddlers any more in Hobcaw Creek.
Overall, I think its probably good - but miss that smooth sand. 
Question: Is it the intention of this effort to encourage live oyster growth in these areas - or is it simply shells to provide some habitat for bait?
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Tops fit most center consoles
http://ShadowTop.com entry level folding, stainless T-Top
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for your Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com shade for Flats Boats
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
And a thanks to the SC State Ports Authority for funding this work as mitigation for the new terminal. Creating jobs and helping the harbor ecosystem. Nice to see our state agencies doing what they are supposed to do.
One other part of the SC Port mitigation plan in the PortEIS is the restoration of the tip of Drum Island, south of the bridge. 22 acres of new tidal spartina marsh with creeks and oyster reefs. Lets hope this finally happens. The crabs, fish and oysters this will support are a huge improvement over the raccoon and deer that presently live there. I understand this is still in the works.
I can’t imagine a better opportunity (probably the only opportunity) to get 22 acres more marsh back into the heart of the harbor.
great job Michael!
these efforts are paying off.
xHCFCx
Here’s my 10 cents, my 2 cents is free
I should have mentioned the funding source for this project. Funds for these efforts were provided by the South Carolina State Ports Authority.
To answer your question T-Topless, the purpose of planting oyster shells serves many ecosystem functions. 1) To create new oyster beds. Oyster larvae will settle out of the water column onto the oyster shells that we plant. The sites that we choose are either lacking substrate (i.e. naturally occurring oyster shell) or the existing oyster beds are so beat down that larvae are not attracted to the shells any longer. 2) Oysters are a keystone species in the estuary that provide habitat for both vertebrates and invertebrates. Over 70 species utilize oyster beds in South Carolina as either a feeding ground, nursery ground or as protection from predators. 3) Since our oysters are located in the intertidal area and fringe our Spartina marsh, they are excellent at preventing/slowing the rates of erosion. They break up wave energy from boat wakes/wind/waves and act as a natural seawall. We have seen marsh grow at a rapid rate behind oyster reefs that we construct. Particularly at the site on Hobcaw where you liked to catch fiddlers. Sorry we ruined your fiddler catching area. If anyone is interested in participating in our volunteer oyster restoration efforts and want to learn more about this valuable critter, please visit our website at http://score.dnr.sc.gov
Thanks Again,
Michael
Another Day, Another Oyster
nice work and good info Mike!
Thank you for the explanation Michael - very informative!
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Tops fit most center consoles
http://ShadowTop.com entry level folding, stainless T-Top
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for your Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com shade for Flats Boats
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
I’m glad we have people like yall around. Very cool!
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
quote:
Originally posted by mirax40
... 2) Oysters are a keystone species in the estuary that provide habitat for both vertebrates and invertebrates. Over 70 species utilize oyster beds in South Carolina as either a feeding ground, nursery ground or as protection from predators. ...
I had no idea there were 70 species of oysters here (or anywhere for that matter).
I guess that’s why we get clusters in some areas and singles in others?
Do certain areas attract certain types?
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Tops fit most center consoles
http://ShadowTop.com entry level folding, stainless T-Top
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for your Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com shade for Flats Boats
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
i think what he means is that at least 70 other species of marine life use the oyster mounds, making that part of our estuarine habitat especially important for so many other parts of the chain.
we only have one species of inshore oyster in SC that i’m aware of, and that’s Crassostrea virginica, the eastern oyster.
Got it - misread it. That makes a lot more sense. [:I]
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Tops fit most center consoles
http://ShadowTop.com entry level folding, stainless T-Top
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for your Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com shade for Flats Boats
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com