Lowcountry Oyster Festival - A Shell of an Event!
CCA Oyster Recovery Team collects more than 35 tons of shell for habitat
Columbia, S.C. For the fourth year in a row, the CCA Oyster Recovery Team sporting international orange t-shirts and vests, worked overtime to reclaim shells left over from the 28th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival at Boone Hall Plantation. A team of 44 CCA South Carolina members, volunteers, and partners gathered up almost 75,000 pounds of oyster shell last weekend that might otherwise have gone straight to a landfill. Thanks to their hard work, those shells are headed instead right back into the marshes and estuaries to create new marine habitat along the coast of South Carolina.
This is not easy work, but it is at the very heart of conservation. This effort has a direct and tangible impact on the quality of our fisheries, and CCA members understand that link, said Gary Keisler, CCA SC Topwater Action Campaign Coordinator. We are grateful to the festival promoters, vendors, and attendees, for taking the time to understand what these simple oyster shells mean to our states marine resources.
Each year, tens of thousands of bushels of oysters are harvested in South Carolina. In addition to being delicious, they are a vitally important species for our marine ecosystem as one mature oyster is capable of filtering up to 50 gallons of water per day. Usually found in clusters along the South Atlantic coast, oyster reefs provide habitat for more than 70 species of fish, shrimp, crabs, and other marine animals. The reefs also act as a natural barrier to habitat erosion along the many waterways of the Palmetto State.
However, many factors have combined over the past several decades to create a shortage of oyster shell for habitat purposes and shell has had to be purchased to supplement the states stock of shells. The shortages have limited the amount of habitat restoration work that the state is able to undertake
CCA must toss the recreational fishermen a bone every once in a while. We need REAL help with offshore programs!! Still waiting for a CCA response on other threads here.
Keeping up with what? The FACT that CCA’s lobbyists are not working for recreational fishermen and ARE working for catch share supporters. PLEASE respond with some TRUTHFUL answers.
Good job. This is probably something that will require volunteer effort, as it is probably not economically feasible from a business standpoint. Edgewater, you may have a valid point but I think it’s good to give credit where it’s due.
So, if they are so vital and it’s so important to return them to the water, then why aren’t restaraunts mandated to return them? Why aren’t people fined for not returning them? If we can have a core charge on batteries, then why not have a shell charge on shellfish? Where are all of these “public” reefs? I appreciate the gesture, but there are bigger things in need of the CCA’s attention and help. And, landfills, come on? How many people do you know use cloth diapers? I feel certain that at get togethers and b’day parties, styrofoam and paper products win out over your “good” china. Oyster shells are not filling up our landfills, but rather wasteful decisions by ourselves. We want to save the planet, but are not willing to spend the extra money to do it when it comes to lifestyle changes and purchases. Maybe, CCA should have a town hall type meeting that would allow for a passionate discussion of what we the anglers actually need, now what CCA wants to do. The oyster recycling is a nice gesture, but what if the company providing the service was responsible and just did it themself? I mean, common! I opened the door for an elderly lady yesterday, but I’m not boasting and bragging about it on the www. If the CCA wants good press and the respect of fishermen and woman, then answer ALL the tough questions that “we” are asking. Stop hiding the truth and just admit it. I give more credit to my 2yr old girl for staying dry during the night than the oyster collection!
Key West 21’6" BayReef
225 Honda
Tightlines and God Bless
It is true, that all the propoganda being spread around by the CCA is hard to keep up with. You seem to be so supportive of them, so role over and as you are rubbing their back, in a soft whisper, ask them to answer our questions. Rub their shoulders and then ask them explain to us why they are doing what they are doing. They’ll most likely repond to the whispers and shoulder rubs, by showing you what CCA is doing to us. Ouch, it hurts alot or have you just gotten use to it?
Key West 21’6" BayReef
225 Honda
“The problem that infuriates you the most is the one you are meant to solve.”
Good job. This is probably something that will require volunteer effort, as it is probably not economically feasible from a business standpoint. Edgewater, you may have a valid point but I think it’s good to give credit where it’s due.
Include the clean-up costs in the ticket costs makes sense to me, right?
Key West 21’6" BayReef
225 Honda
“The problem that infuriates you the most is the one you are meant to solve.”
