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In the Tides
CREW
Issue No. 80 April 2022
Publisher/Editor Amy Thurman amy@southerntidesmagazine.com
7 Editor's Note
Assistant Editor Neva Parsons neva@southerntidesmagazine.com
9 Fishing with Captain Jay 11 Billfish Ruling
Consulting Naturalist John "Crawfish" Crawford crawfish@uga.edu
13 Editorial - No to Rezoning 15 Taste of the Tides
The Bitter End Columnist Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill theoriginalcaptaingator@gmail.com
16 Getting to Know Manatees 20 Wildlife Annual Report
The Riverkeeper Report Meaghan Gerard meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org
23 Summer Camps for Kids
Fishing with Captain Jay Captain Jay Cranford gacharterfishing@gmail.com Contributors
24 Buying a Used Boat 27 Riverkeeper Report 28 Community Updates
Jane Wilkinson-Bunch Southern Lovin' From the Oven
30 The Bitter End
Bob Adriance for BoatU.S.
Copyright © 2015-2022
All content herein is copyright protected and may not be reproduced in whole or part without express written permission. Southern Tides is a free magazine, published monthly, and can be found at multiple locations from St. Marys, Ga., to Beaufort, S.C.
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About the Cover:
Manatees are arriving in our coastal waters. Learn more about them in an article by Neva Parsons, starting on page 16. Photo by Gregory Sweeney, photographmanatees.com April 2022
Southern Tides Magazine
Letters to the Editor:
We love hearing from you! Questions, comments, ideas, or whatever you'd like to share, please do! Send your thoughts to any of our email addresses listed above. 5
Sea Turtles Dig the Dark!
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Editor’s Note Spring
O
ur lowcountry coast is the most beautiful place on earth and every single time I get out there with water under the hull, on the beach, or tromping around in our maritime forests or marshes, I’m so grateful to live here. Heading out early, when the rising sun casts a surreal glow over a flood tide and the water is like glass, gives you a sense of peace that you just don’t get sitting inside. I love this time of year, when air and water temperatures have both started to rise and there’s a resurgence of life. Marsh grass is slowly greening up, azaleas are exploding with brilliant color, the air smells amazing, and our world is lush again. Any day now, horseshoe crabs will be nesting on beaches, shrimp will be returning to our creeks and rivers, as well as the fish species that feed on them. Migratory shore birds will be making their annual visits, dolphins will entertain us with their playful antics and if we’re lucky we may catch a glimpse of our annual visitors from Florida: manatees. Our world is waking up from winter. No, springtime in the South isn’t for the faint of heart. Between the pollen, the gnats and other biting or stinging insects, you have to be tough to still enjoy being outdoors, but the rewards are worth it. Get a Thermocell and half the battle is won. Explore! There are countless places to visit and explore within a couple hours by boat or car. Any of the Revolutionary or Civil War forts (most are near water), any of the lighthouses along our stretch of coast, hike Cumberland Island and see the marsh ponies roaming free, beach on a barrier island and have a picnic, paddle or motor up a creek you’ve never followed and see what there is to see. Pay attention. Look for eagles, osprey, herons, egrets, oystercatchers, roseate spoonbills, woodstorks or any of the countless other birds that hunt and nest along our waterways. Keep an eye on the water too, for schools of shrimp, fish jumping, and of course dolphins. Maybe you’ll spot a gator sunning on a creek bank, or some wild boar piglets foraging in the marsh. And don’t forget to look up. Birds in flight, pretty cloud patterns, rainbows, sunrises and sunsets, or even just the stunning clear blue of a warm spring sky. Use all of your senses, not just sight. Smell the marsh mud, listen to the bird calls and the soothing sound of water lapping against the hull or waves April 2022
Southern Tides Magazine
High tides and blue skies - what more could anyone want?
rolling onto the beach, feel the sun and saltwater on your skin. There’s so much beauty and life out there, and if you let it, it will soothe your soul. Our world is crazy these days. The political arena is a hotbed of antagonism and divisiveness, the media thrives on sensationalism, and it seems that every segment of our society is trying to impose its will on every other segment. But our little stretch of coast is a pocket of sanity. The water doesn’t care about politics or divisiveness. The water doesn’t know conservative from liberal, male from female, wealthy from poor, black from white, or Christian from atheist. Out there, those things don’t matter. When you have a fish on the hook, when you have an engine issue and a stranger gives you a tow, when an unexpected storm blows up, when you’re passing another boat and give a wave, when you have a boatload of kids looking in awe at dolphins playing off the bow, when you’re standing on the dock at the end of the day with a cold beer, none of those outside things matter. We’re just people with a shared love of, and respect for, the water. And hopefully each other. I hope each of you can get some time on the water this month and that it soothes your soul and puts things in perspective for you as well. See you out there!
Amy Thurman
Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com 7
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Fishing with Captain Jay Wading
By Captain Jay Cranford www.coastalgafishing.com
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S
What's Biting The overall bite is getting better. Trout and redfish will be picking up this time of year, as well as flounder and black drum. Drifting a cork remains one of the best methods. Speckled trout are good along the shallow shoreline or around flats on shrimp and artificials. The flounder bite is getting better on shrimp around the rocks, piers, bridges and other structure. Redfish are especially good, using small shrimp or finger mullet around the flats and edges. Black drum are coming in and will be around grass beds and deep holes in the rivers. Blue crab or shrimp are the best bet for these strong fighting fish. Make sure you have adequate gear and line thickness for these beasts – big ones can easily weigh 20 to 30 pounds, so 40-pound test is recommended. Whether you're wading, fishing from a boat, a pier or the beach, get out there and have some fun, be safe and explore the beauty of our coast!
pringtime is here and it's a great time to get outside, enjoy the sunny days and do some fishing in our coastal waters! Pier fishing and boating are the most common ways of fishing, but have you ever considered wading? Wading can be a great way to get on schools of fish, though it does take some effort and homework. You may want to do a little research on the best techniques for wading. There are several websites online that can help. Here are some basic tips to get you started You’ll need to do quite a bit of scouting so make sure you have a good pair of binoculars. We use the Barska brand with a built-in compass. There are more expensive binoculars on the market, but these seem to do a great job at a relatively affordable price. It’s important to check your tides and use caution with the current as it can be demanding and dangerous. You’ll need the proper clothing and gear for this type of fishing, to include a bait box, stringer, pliers, etc. When wading always wear long pants for protection against jellyfish which get worse as the water warms. Long nylon wading pants will provide you good protection from the stinging tentacles. Walk and scout until you see some active bait fish, then set up and try your luck. Wading can be a lot of fun so you may want to try it. We recommend you fish with a friend or other experienced anglers until you get the hang of it. April 2022
Southern Tides Magazine
Don't wish ... let's go fish!
Captain Jay has over 20 years experience fishing the Georgia coast. He's passionate about fishing and enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with you! gacharterfishing@gmail.com • www.coastalgafishing.com/ 9
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Georgia: Get Your Billfish On!
From top to bottom: Blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish. Illustrations by Duane Raver, GADNR
T
he GADNR Coastal Resources Division (CRD) announced on March 1 an amendment to saltwater fishing regulations to allow for the landing of billfish in Georgia for the first time in 20 years. The three billfish species impacted by the amendment are blue marlin (Makaira nigricans), white marlin (Tetrapturus albidus), and sailfish (Istiophorus albicans), as approved by the Georgia Board of Natural Resources Jan. 28, 2022, and effective March 1, 2022. These billfishes are bluewater species found predominantly in open ocean habitats east of the Gulf Stream. Billfishes are fast-growing, mature at young ages, and have life spans that range between 8 and 30 years. Billfishes have been identified as overfished since the late 1980s and overfishing continues to occur for both marlin species. Since 1988, directed-fishing effort for billfishes has been reserved for the recreational sector. Federal regulations, implemented in 2006, are highly restrictive for these species and include permitting, reporting requirements, gear requirements, and minimum sizes April 2022
Southern Tides Magazine
(blue marlin: 99 inches; white marlin 66 inches; sailfish 63 inches, all measured as lower-jaw fork length). The annual landings for blue and white marlin combined are limited to 250 fish across the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Federal regulations for recreational vessels with a federal permit require the vessel to abide by federal regulations regardless of where they are fishing unless a state has more restrictive regulations. Because Georgia has not allowed for the taking or possession of billfishes in state waters since 2001, federally permitted participants are not able to land their catch in Georgia prior to this amendment. Over the past 20 years, numerous members of the recreational fishing public have requested the opportunity to land these fish in Georgia, especially during offshore tournaments. These species are tightly regulated, and their harvest is accounted for by federal regulation. For more information visit: coastalgadnr.org/BillfishRule 11
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Editorial:
Proposed Industrial Rezoning in Liberty County By Amy Thurman Liberty County Resident
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have to be run or facilities built to provide these services. Which in turn means the marsh on either side of the road would be impacted. Pollution. While this parcel doesn’t sit directly on the water, it does sit on an island entirely surrounded by estuaries and marshland and there’s no way to guarantee there won’t be runoff. And where does the waste go, exactly? In addition to water pollution and waste disposal, there’s also no way to prevent air pollution, and local residents will be forced to endure bad odors, constant noise, and light pollution at night. As one resident, Marcie Hamilton, put it, “‘I would love to live right next door to a toxic, pollution emitting, noise making, smelly, lumber facility,’ said no one, ever.” Habitat loss. The east end of Liberty County is rural and has a large wildlife population. From apex predators such as American alligators and coyotes, to mammals, including mink, otter, deer, raccoons, and more. Birds are abundant as well, such as pileated woodpeckers, great horned owls, eagles, red-tailed and redshouldered hawks, and countless others, as well as herons, egrets, woodstorks and other water birds. 400 acres of lost habitat is significant and permanent. Loss of property value. Local residents accepted the distance to the nearest amenities, the lack of county services, and even the potential for disastrous weather when they moved here, in favor of peace and quiet, closeness to the water, beautiful views, a lack of traffic and crime, and being insulated from industry and commerce. A facility like the one proposed would eliminate many of the benefits of living in the area. Ask yourself, how much would you pay for a piece of property next to a lumber mill? If the LCPC recommends this rezoning and the county Board of Commissioners votes to do so, this is permanent. Those 400 acres will never be reclaimed for habitat, property values will never recover, damage from pollution will be difficult if not impossible to reverse. Colonels Island will never be the same. And a precedent will have been set. If it can happen on Colonels Island, it can happen everywhere else in Liberty County, and if it can happen in Liberty, it can happen in any of our other five coastal counties. I can’t help but feel that this would be a huge step backwards for the Georgia coast. Grant Porter, co-owner of Half Moon Marina, summed it up perfectly: “We have an obligation to our kids and future generations. That type of development is high risk. I appreciate the potential rewards, but that doesn’t outweigh the risks to our pristine environment.”
hen most of us think of the Georgia coast, we picture wide expanses of marsh, winding estuaries, cool and shaded maritime forests, and the plethora of birds and animals that inhabit these unique ecosystems. We think of fishing and swimming in the creeks and rivers, time on the water with friends and family, fresh local seafood, blue skies, and quiet broken only by birdsong and the breeze. This stretch of coastline is one of the last undeveloped areas on the entire eastern seaboard and we (collectively) work hard to protect it and preserve it. When something threatens it, many of us, myself included, tend to react a little like a mama bear whose cubs have been threatened. That gut-clenching reaction is exactly what I felt when I heard about the rezoning request for nearly 400 acres of land on Colonels Island, at the east end of Liberty County, to construct a wood processing facility, lumber mill and cross-laminate timber fabrication facility. I honestly can’t believe the Liberty County Planning Commission (LCPC) is even entertaining the idea. Surely after all the work residents, non-profit organizations and government agencies have done since the early 70s to protect our coast, plopping a sawmill in the middle of a back barrier island can’t be considered a healthy or responsible endeavor? In trying to see both sides of the coin, I’ll concede that it can be challenging at times to find a balance between nature and humans, between environmental protection and economic impact. But I’m really struggling with this one. One argument put forth is that it would provide jobs for local residents. But in a time when nearly every industry is struggling with staffing shortages, how is this a benefit? If the goal here really is to provide something beneficial to the community, then why not turn the land into a nature preserve and education center, or a 4-H center, something that would benefit the community for generations to come? I suspect the answer to that question relates directly to what the sawmill company is prepared to pay for the property as opposed to the value of the land as a preserve. But maybe that’s just me being cynical. It also occurs to me that this is privately owned land and the owner should be able to sell the land to the highest bidder. I don’t have a problem with that – I’ll be the first person to pick up the personal liberty flag and march down Main Street USA with it. The problem I have is when that high bidder wants to use the land in a way that negatively impacts the surrounding residents and/or the local environment. Let’s take a look at those negative impacts. To start with, the local infrastructure can’t support it. There is one road in and out of the location and there are no water or sewer lines out to the island, which means the road would have to be widened to accommodate traffic, and water and sewer lines would April 2022
Southern Tides Magazine
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Taste of the Tides Coconut Shrimp and Crab Salad Recipe provided by Jane Wilkinson-Bunch Southern Lovin' in the Oven Recipes and More Daily
This healthy & colorful seafood salad also makes a terrific appetizer. Add the jalapeño pepper seeds or use two peppers for more spice and kick. Remember to catch it yourself or support your local seafood market!
INGREDIENTS Cooking spray ½ pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined ½ teaspoon salt, divided 1 cup fresh or frozen corn kernels, thawed (about 2 ears) ⅓ cup finely chopped onion ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro ⅓ cup diced peeled avocado ½ pound lump crabmeat, drained and shell pieces removed 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil 6 cups torn Boston lettuce (about 3 small heads) ¼ cup flaked sweetened coconut, toasted DIRECTIONS • Heat a medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. • Add shrimp and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook 4 minutes or until shrimp are done, turning once. • Remove from the pan. Coarsely chop shrimp. • Combine corn and the next 5 ingredients (through jalapeño) in a medium bowl. • Gently stir in the shrimp. • Combine juice, oil, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring with a whisk. • Drizzle juice mixture over shrimp mixture. Toss gently to coat. • Divide lettuce among each of 4 plates. Top with shrimp mixture. • Sprinkle evenly with toasted coconut and serve.
Attention Seafood Markets! Southern Tides is seeking a recipe sponsor. Contact us to have your company name and logo included here. Attention Coastal Cooks and Chefs! Have a recipe featuring local seafood you'd like to share? Reach out to us! amy@southerntidesmagazine.com April 2022
Southern Tides Magazine
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Getting to know Manatees
Above: Swimming together, possibly a mother and calf pair. Photo by Sam Farkas, 2014 NOAA OAR photo contest winner Below: Definitely not a mermaid, but much cuter in our opinion. Photo by Emily J. McDaniel, Imbued Photography
By Neva Parsons Assistant Editor
Florida manatees visit our coastal waters when water temperatures begin to warm and it's always a thrill to catch a glimpse of one. In this feature we'll learn about manatee senses, share some fun trivia, and learn how you can help these protected mammals.
A
man would have to be three sheets to the wind to see any resemblance between a sea cow – otherwise known as a manatee – and a beautiful young woman with flowing locks and a fish’s tail. But there’s speculation that these gentle, shy, herbivorous creatures may have been mistaken for mermaids in the old days of sail. Even Christopher Columbus noted three “mermaids” off the coast of Haiti, but was disappointed that their faces had “some masculine traits” and so were not as lovely as had been rumored. It must have been the whiskers. But the very obvious facial whiskers are only the beginning of this hairy tale. Manatees sport tiny hairs all over their bodies known as vibrissae. The dictionary definition of vissibrae is “hairs growing around the mouth or elsewhere … used as organs of touch.” Much as a cat uses its whiskers to process sensory input from its environment, a manatee uses all that fine body hair to compensate for its poor eyesight in low-light waters, or at night. A study conducted at the Mote Marine Laboratory, in Florida, indicates the hairs are hypersensitive and able to detect vibrations as low as one-millionth of a meter. And all this without external ear lobes! Cont. on page 18 16
Southern Tides Magazine April 2022
Did You Know? • Manatees don't have eyelashes! • Manatees can live for more than 60 years. • Newborn calves can swim to the surface on their own and begin vocalizing at, or right after birth. • The gestation period (pregnancy) is about a year, and mother manatees nurse their calves for one to two years. • Manatees and sloths only have six neck vertebrae - all other mammals have seven. Manatees also can't turn their heads. They have to turn their whole bodies around. • Mature manatees average about 10 feet long and weigh from 800 - 1200 pounds.
Right: Manatees often have barnacles, algae and other marine growth on their bodies. Below: Very social animals, they are often found in groups. Photos this page by Emily J. McDaniel, Imbued Photography
The manatee’s eyesight is no great shakes, but what about its hearing? Surprisingly, quite good. In fact, they can hear sounds much higher than humans. Homo sapiens clock in at 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz, while the manatee boasts an ability to detect frequencies in the 90.5 kilohertz range. One obvious question is, if they hear so well, why do they seem to have difficulty in avoiding boat engines and propellers, which can inflict terrible injuries? Another Mote Marine study suggests they’re not so different from us humans. As we go about our days – working, eating, supervising and protecting children, socializing or napping – we’re simply less aware. Sounds fade into background noise, and if we’re unlucky, we respond too slowly to a threat. This is why it’s very important for boaters to abide by low-speed and no-wake zones, particularly around docks where manatees may be munching on an algae snack, and to watch closely for these slow-moving creatures while at speed. Let’s continue examining the manatee’s senses. Next up is communication. How do cows chastise their calves when they won’t settle down and eat their sea grass? How do bulls flirt with that pretty cow decked out in the most exquisite barnacles? How do they recommend the best places for a good water hyacinth sandwich? Much the same way that whales vocalize, with squeaks, chirps, squeals, whistles and the occasional grunt. Unlike whales, however, their vocalizations aren’t used for navigation or as a sort of sonar. Instead, manatees chat about the everyday happenings around them. There are recordings of manatee conversations online if you want to give a listen. Just don’t expect the eerily beautiful singing of the sirens of Greek mythology, despite the manatee being a member of the order Sirenia. Finishing up with taste and smell. As with humans and other mammals, manatees have chemical receptors for taste and smell, right next door to each other. And, like humans, they’re able to determine whether what they’re about to have for dinner has gone bad, or has been tampered with. One last fun fact relates to another definition of smell, as in, shall we say, flatulence? It seems there’s some evidence manatees use their flatulence, not to clear a room, but to control buoyancy. Whales and other fish have swim bladders to do that work, which mammalian manatees lack. Hey, whatever works, am I right? Again, if you’re interested, there are online videos of manatees … controlling their buoyancy. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. That’s our tour of the manatee senses. So the next time you have one too many out on the water and find yourself face to face with a bewhiskered, near-sighted mermaid with a bad singing voice and an issue with intestinal gas, it might be nothing more than a sweet manatee popping up to say hello.
For more information about manatees and how you can help them, please visit: www.savethemanatee.org This page top: Close-up of a manatee's face from the side. This page left: The picture that should be in the dictionary next to the definition for "Cute." Opposite page: That looks like someone we know ... Photos by Emily J. McDaniel, Imbued Photography 18
Southern Tides Magazine April 2022
More About Manatees
• Manatees are sirenians (an order of fully aquatic, hervbiverous mammals), and are most closely related to elephants. It’s thought that more than 50 million years ago, manatees and elephants evolved from a common land animal. • There are three types of manatees: West Indian, Amazonian and African, with the West Indian being the largest. The Florida manatee, found in Georgia waters in spring and summer, is a subspecies of the West Indian, formally known as Trichechus manatus. • Manatees, like whales, communicate by emitting a wide variety of squeaks, whistles and chirps, as well as though sight, taste, touch and smell. Unlike whales, however, these vocalizations aren’t thought to be used for navigation. • Manatees may eat 10-15% of their body weight each day as they graze on sea grass, algae and mangrove leaves. But their roly-poly appearance isn’t the result of fatty insulation – it’s due to the fact that their stomach and intestines compose the bulk of their bodies. • Manatees stray back and forth over the line between fresh and salt water. While they need freshwater, their kidneys work to keep salt concentrations in their body at a safe level.
Manatee Safety Tips:
• Look for manatees before cranking your boat’s motor. • Use caution when navigating in shallow water and along the edge of a marsh. Manatees cannot dive away from boats in these areas. • If you see one manatee, slow down, they are social animals and others may be present. • Heed “slow speed,” “no wake” and manatee warning signs, especially around docks. • Wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare and make it easier to spot manatees below the surface. • Watch for trails of large swirls in the water called footprints that may be caused by manatees diving away from the boat. • Never feed manatees or give them fresh water. This could teach the animals to approach docks, putting them at greater risk of a boat strike. • Never pursue, harass or play with manatees. It can be harmful to manatees and it’s illegal. • If you see or photograph a healthy, injured or dead manatee, call DNR at (800) 2-SAVEME (800-272-8363). Note the date, time, location and number of manatees seen, plus the coordinates, if possible. Information in this feature was sourced from www.savethemanatee.org, the Georgia DNR Wildlife Resources Division, and other online research sources. April 2022
Southern Tides Magazine
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2021 Wildlife Report North Atlantic Right Whales
The Georgia DNR's Wildlife Conservation Section (WCS) conserves and protects wildlife species not hunted or fished for, and native plants and their habitats through public education, research and management. The following are excerpts from their 2021 annual report. To read it in its entirety visit: bit.ly/2021_WildlifeReport
North Atlantic right whales are a critically endangered species that numbers only about 350 whales. The species was nearly driven to extinction by centuries of hunting and has been slow to recover because of reduced genetic diversity, natural variability in food resources and human impacts, including collisions with ships and entanglement in commercial fishing rope. Right whales forage on zooplankton along the coast of New England and Canada. Each November through January, pregnant females migrate more than 1,000 miles to the coast of Georgia and northeast Florida, the species’ only known calving grounds. Females nurse their calves for one to two months, until the calves are strong enough to migrate north during February to April. A variable number of non-calving right whales also migrate to the southeastern U.S. each winter. The migrant whales do not feed in southeastern waters, instead relying on energy stored in their thick blubber. The North Atlantic right whale population increased by more than 40 percent during the 2000s, suggesting the species was beginning to recover. However, in 2010 calving rates began to drop in response to changes in zooplankton distribution in New England and Canada – changes apparently driven by warming ocean temperatures and associated shifts in ocean currents. At the same time, right whales began suffering unprecedented levels of mortality and injury. An estimated 133 whales died from 2010 to 2017. Necropsies have found that most whales are dying from ship strikes and entanglement in commercial fishing gear. More than 80 percent of surviving whales bear scars from fishing rope entanglements. Even worse, females are dying at faster rates than males, probably because of the added energy that calving demands. Fewer than 100 calving females remain. The species is declining rapidly, and its future is uncertain. Data from the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium placed the species at 356 whales as of 2020, down from a peak of 481 in 2011. During the 2021 calving season, survey teams identified 17 females with calves, 17 adult females without calves,12 adult males and nine juvenile whales. An additional cow/calf pair was spotted in New England waters in spring 2021, upping the annual calf total to 18. The 2021 counts were a welcomed increase compared to recent winters, raising hope that the whales may finally be finding adequate plankton in New England and Canada. (No calves were seen in 2018, the first time none had been reported since surveys began in the 1980s.) However, the 2021 calving season was far from perfect. One calf was killed and its mother injured when the pair were hit by a sportfishing boat near St. Augustine, Fla., in February. Two entangled whales were also spotted. Wildlife Conservation staff tried to free an adult male right whale from a lobster pot in January, but the whale evaded the boat and may now be dead. Another male was found entangled in heavy rope off Florida in February but died off the South Carolina coast before responders could help it. Both whales likely became entangled in fishing gear from New England or Canada. Until calving rebounds to normal levels, reducing human causes of mortality is key to the species’ survival.
Florida Manatees Florida manatees inhabit tidal rivers, estuaries and near-shore ocean waters throughout coastal Georgia during the warm months of the year. The Florida manatee population numbers approximately 8,000. A collapse in seagrass resources in Brevard and nearby Florida counties led to the death of more than 650 manatees during January through May. Deaths subsided during summer 2021 as manatees were able to disperse and find food in other parts of Florida and Georgia, but there is concern that mortalities will resume in 2022 when the water cools and manatees return to natural and artificial warm-water sites with poor forage. Manatee management in Georgia focuses on reducing humanrelated mortality and protecting habitat. Recovery tasks include documenting causes of mortality and injury, rescuing injured and out-of-habitat manatees, monitoring distribution and habitat use, educating boaters about watercraft impacts and reviewing permits and policies that may affect manatees and their habitat. Wildlife Conservation staff have documented 103 manatee mortalities in Georgia waters since 2000. The leading causes of mortality are watercraft collisions (28 percent) and cold stress/ hypothermia (13 percent). Less common causes include drowning in commercial fishing gear, entrapment and gunshot. Ten manatee carcasses were found in Georgia during calendar year 2020 and the first half of 2021. Three died from starvation during the spring of 2021 – likely in connection with the seagrass die-off in Florida. Two manatees died from watercraft collisions. The cause of death could not be determined in the remaining cases.
Florida manatee. Photo by Emily J. McDaniel, Imbued Photography 20
Southern Tides Magazine April 2022
Birds Waterbirds Conservation actions include protecting and managing five sand islands for beach-nesting and migratory birds. One of the areas, a dredge-spoil island near Brunswick called Bird Island, supports one of the largest colonies of nesting seabirds on the southern Atlantic Coast. Given the recent degradation of these offshore bar habitats, DNR is collaborating with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to create additional habitat through the beneficial use of dredge spoil. 2021 proved challenging for priority seabirds such as black skimmer and gull-billed terns. The continuing degradation of offshore bars led to complete losses of colonies because of tidal overwash on Ogeechee Bar, St. Catherines Island Bar and Little St. Simons. Predators wiped out colonies on Little Tybee and Cumberland islands. Also, Pelican Spit fully merged with Sea Island, making it unavailable for nesting birds. Brown pelicans continued to grow in number on Little Egg Island Bar, with 749 nests and good chick productivity documented. Seventy pairs nested on Bird Island. Overall, Bird Island was highly productive again, despite several oil spills from the MV Golden Ray wreck removal that reached the island and a number of birds becoming oiled. In addition to brown pelicans nesting on the island, peak counts included 8,083 royal terns, 447 sandwich terns, 300 laughing gulls, 107 black skimmers and 17 gull-billed terns. The black skimmers and gull-billed terns abandoned their nest attempts. On Ogeechee Bar, approximately 500 royal terns managed to fledge young despite the flooding that impacted other species. American oystercatcher productivity in Georgia slipped in 2021. DNR confirmed 28 chicks fledged and banded 24. Issues included the persistent overwash of offshore bars, the loss of Pelican Spit and coyotes returning to Little St Simons and Cumberland. Wood Storks 2021 proved an average year. Staff documented 23 nesting colonies and 2,260 nesting pairs, almost the same as in 2020. Also, 17 wood storks were tagged. Most of these were chicks at the Gilman colony in St. Marys. One was a rehabilitated stork released by the Georgia Sea Turtle Center on Jekyll Island. More than 75 percent of wood stork rookeries in Georgia are on private land. Conservation of this species depends on landowners’ willingness to ensure the protection of viable freshwater-wetland nesting sites. Eagles Since documenting a record 218 occupied nesting territories statewide in 2017, the Wildlife Conservation Section has surveyed about half to two thirds of the state’s eagle nesting areas each year. The change maintains a standardized survey scheme without compromising the agency’s ability to detect and respond to notable changes in bald eagle productivity. Some of the survey flights scheduled in 2021 were canceled because of concerns about COVID-19. As a result, only the six coastal counties were surveyed, leading to the detection and monitoring of 71 nests with an additional 12 inland nests monitored largely by volunteers. Coastal nests fledged 81, which is an average success rate. 77 percent of the total 83 nests fledged at least one eaglet. Nine new nest territories were found, six of which were in the coastal counties.
Sea Turtles Loggerhead sea turtles are found in Georgia’s coastal waters yearround and nest on all barrier island beaches. Since comprehensive surveys were established in 1989, loggerhead nesting has been highly variable, with an average of 1,510 nests per year. In 2021, more than 2,484 loggerhead nests were documented on Georgia beaches. Nesting was slightly above the 32-year average and below the recovery goal of 2,800 nests a year, the target set in the National Marine Fisheries Service/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recovery plan of 2008. To develop a comprehensive understanding of the number and relatedness of loggerheads nesting on Georgia beaches, DNR and the University of Georgia created a catalog of unique genetic profiles for Georgia’s nesting female turtles. Dr. Brian Shamblin, working with DNR staff, has identified an average of 715 loggerhead females using the Georgia coast annually from 2008-2020, with a range of 303 to 1,093 turtles per year. A genetic sample was collected from every known nest deposited in Georgia in 2021. The ongoing project is providing a better understanding of loggerhead nesting ecology and interpretation of nesting trends. Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network The Wildlife Conservation Section monitors sea turtle mortality through the Sea Turtle Stranding and Salvage Network. Systematic patrols of barrier island beaches provide information on the number and species of dead turtles that wash up on the Georgia coast. When possible, necropsies of stranded turtles are done to evaluate causes of mortality. Sea turtle strandings are the primary index of threats to sea turtles in the state’s coastal waters. In fiscal year 2021, 96 dead or injured turtles were documented on Georgia beaches. That total is below the 30-year average of 176 strandings per year. Overall, strandings have declined by approximately 5 percent annually over the last 40 years during a period of increasing sea turtle abundance. The use of TEDs in the shrimp trawl fishery is partially responsible for the overall decline. Results from necropsy examinations indicate that boat collisions and commercial fishery mortality are the leading sources of mortality, accounting for 33 percent of strandings in fiscal 2021. The public is encouraged to report stranded sea turtles in Georgia by contacting DNR at 800-2-SAVE-ME (800-272-8363). Stranding updates are available at seaturtle.org/strand/ summary (pick Georgia from “Select a Program”). April 2022
Southern Tides Magazine
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2022 Summer Camps Ages: 1st - 5th Graders Focus: Exploring, kayaking, conservation, arts
If you're looking for fun and educational summer camp ideas for your kids, we have them for you! Camps are listed alphabetically by hosting organization. Plan early — camps fill up fast.
PLUFF MUDDERS CAMPS
PORT ROYAL SOUND FOUNDATION
Pluff Mudders will go kayaking, fishing and crabbing; they will dissect a shark, explore a salt marsh and learn all about our unique lowcountry animals. PRSF Maritime Center, Okatie, SC June 13 - 17, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. July 11 - 15, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. August 1 - 5, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. $400 per camper www.portroyalsoundfoundation.org/summer-camp/
Ages: 6 - 14 Focus: Fishing, sharks, boating, marine biology
COASTAL OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CAMPS COASTAL OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
With four different camps, kids will have opportunities to fish, kayak, paddleboard, cast net and more, depending on camp. Each camp is one to three days. St. Simons Island, Ga. Multiple dates, June and July $75 - $200 per camper (discount for multiple campers) www.coastaloutdooradventures.com/adventure-camps
Crabbing off the dock is one of the joys of childhood for coastal kids. Photo provided by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant
Throwing a cast net is a skill all coastal kids should learn - and they will at several coastal summer camps. Photo provided by Coastal Outdoor Adventures
Ages: 7 - 16 Focus: Outdoors skills, nature, conservation
Ages: 6 - 14 Focus: Coastal Flora and Fauna
JUNIOR NATURALIST SUMMER CAMPS
MARINE SCIENCE CAMPS
GEORGIA DNR
UGA MARINE EXTENSION & GEORGIA SEA GRANT
Several camps, both day and overnight, for nature-loving kids and teens. Camps include Outdoor Adventure Team Challenge (ages 11-13), Shooting Sports Camp (ages 12 16), Where the Wild Things Are (age 6 - 8), Nature Heroes (ages 8 - 10) and others. Mansfield, Ga. Multiple dates, June and July Times depend on camp $150 - $275 per camper (depending on camp) georgiawildlife.com/Camps April 2022
Southern Tides Magazine
Camps are tailored to meet the learning stages and styles of kids ages 6 - 14. Each session includes explorations of the salt marsh, live animal lessons, maritime forest hikes, crabbing from the dock and more. Skidaway Island, Ga. June and July 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. $225 - $345 for each week-long session gacoast.uga.edu/summer-camps/ 23
Buying A Used Boat The second of three articles from BoatU.S. on purchasing a used boat, this one focuses on hiring a surveyor. Look for "What Your Surveyor Wants You to Know" in May.
By Bob Adriance For BoatU.S. Photos provided by Dylan Bailey Yacht Surveying
L
ike a lot of first-time buyers, it’s fair to say that the 42-yearold restaurant executive was head-over-heels in love with the boat — in this case, a 28-foot sportfishing boat — and couldn’t wait to finish the paperwork and take title. But first — and this really irked him —the local bank was saying he had to have it surveyed. The man reluctantly called the broker who gave him a shortlist of names. After a little price shopping over the phone, the executive had his surveyor and was only one short step away from owning the boat. The survey inspection went well; at least it went quickly. The boat was hauled out of the water and the surveyor spent a couple of hours poking around the boat, occasionally pausing to scribble a few comments in a notebook. Two days after the inspection, the survey arrived with a few minor recommendations. The surveyor also placed a value on the boat that was acceptable to the bank, and in short order the executive had his boat. It would be nice to say that the restaurant executive and his new boat lived happily ever after, but it wasn’t to be. Over the following weeks and months, problems arose with a rusted engine mount, a worn cutlass bearing, and the grim discovery of rot in two bulkheads. Every one of the boat’s seacocks was “frozen” open, and a badly leaking hose almost sank the boat. Finally, a helpful engine mechanic who was doing some repair work noticed the boat’s water heater mounted in the engine compartment wasn’t ignition-protected and strongly recommended that it be replaced. The end result was that two years and several more repairs later, the sportfisher went up for sale. It was an expensive lesson on the value of a good marine survey. Finding A Good Surveyor Finding a competent surveyor may be the final step in a boat purchase, but it could easily be the most important, and should never be taken lightly. Anyone can call himself a marine surveyor; there are no licenses or exams required. One longstanding joke among surveyors is that all it takes to become a “professional” is a business card, a cell phone, and somebody to believe you. Being a competent marine surveyor, on the other hand, requires a good deal more. First it takes expertise, a lot of expertise. The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) publishes 68 standards totaling over 650 pages that cover everything from a boat’s deck hardware to fuel and electrical systems. Being a competent marine surveyor requires a comfortable working knowledge of them all. In addition to ABYC standards, a surveyor must know National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
In bilges, worn hoses and corrosion on thru-hull valves and strainers can go unnoticed.
standards and the Coast Guard’s safety requirements, and be familiar with various construction standards (ABS and Lloyds). Needless to say, a good marine surveyor must have a mind for technical details. These standards are continually being revised and a surveyor has to keep abreast of the changes, which means reading technical books and attending education seminars. The latter involves paying for airfare, hotels, and meals. Good surveyors also invest in expensive moisture meters and multimeters. In a few cases, they may purchase specialty equipment such as hardness testers and ultrasonic thickness gauges. Becoming a competent surveyor involves making a considerable financial commitment. Surveyors aren’t licensed, so the industry is in the position of having to police itself. There are two major surveying organizations, which, among other things, have programs to certify or accredit their members: the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) and the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS). A NAMS surveyor must have at least five years experience working as a fulltime marine surveyor and pass an exam in order to use the initials NAMS-CMS (NAMS Certified Marine Surveyor) after his or her name. A SAMS surveyor who’s worked five years as a full- or parttime surveyor and has passed an exam can use the AMS (Accredited Marine Surveyor) credentials. Both organizations have apprentice members who have not yet earned their certification. There are a handful of other surveyor organizations, some of which are more credible than others. There are also some very competent marine surveyors who, for one reason or another, don’t belong to any surveyor organization. If you’re not sure whether BoatU.S. Marine Insurance will accept a survey from someone you’ve been talking to, call one of their underwriters: 800-283-2883. What’s Covered On A Survey? Even among the best surveyors, there is no consensus on what is or isn’t covered on a pre-purchase survey. NAMS and SAMS both publish voluntary survey report guidelines for their members. (NAMS publishes “Recommended Guidelines for Yacht Condition and Valuation Surveys” and SAMS publishes “Recommended 24
Southern Tides Magazine April 2022
Survey Report Content.”) BoatU.S. did a poll (see sidebar) of SAMS and NAMS members who survey recreational boats that found many of their inspections are consistently the same. A comfortable majority of surveyors said they always sound the boat (using a plastic hammer to detect voids and delamination), reference the ABYC standards, and test electronics to see if they’re operable. There were also some significant variations. For example, only a slight majority of surveyors always use a moisture meter and slightly less than half said they always take the boat on a sea trial (assuming a sea trial is possible). There are even bigger differences with engine inspections. A few surveyors are former mechanics and are qualified to do a complete inspection while others have very little hands-on experience. Most have at least some familiarity with engines but stop short of a complete inspection — oil analysis, compression check, and so on. Using a scale of 0 (no inspection) to 10 (complete mechanical inspection), the poll average of 6.05 indicates most surveyors spend at least some time with engines. Based on the age of the boat, the number of hours on the engine, and what’s found during the inspection, a surveyor will often recommend that a mechanic do a more complete analysis. It’s usually good advice, although some surveyors include a disclaimer recommending an engine inspection with every survey. The same is true of sailboat rigs — going aloft — and electrical system inspections. The latter can take many hours and is usually recommended with some imports or when an older boat’s electrical system has been repeatedly “upgraded.”
Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Surveyor Tom Benton, a marine surveyor in Oklahoma, considers it a red flag whenever a conversation with a prospective client begins with a discussion of price. “How much do you charge for a survey?” Benton acknowledges it’s a fair question, one that he expects to be asked eventually, but it really bugs him whenever it’s the first question. Other surveyors interviewed for this article echoed similar sentiments; it’s a fair question to ask after establishing a surveyor is qualified to survey the type of boat you’re considering. Here are some questions to ask before asking about price: 1. How long have you been surveying boats? Several years of experience are no guarantee of competence, but, as with any profession, it’s a terrific start. Also, what marinerelated experience does the surveyor have? A lot of surveyors came to the profession via boat repair yards, which is another plus; having done repairs for years gives the surveyor a good understanding of why and where a boat is likely to develop problems. 2. What professional organizations do you belong to? Aside from being a member of NAMS or SAMS (a few are members of both), a surveyor should be a member of the ABYC, which is the organization that writes the standards used by most of the major marine manufacturers. The NFPA is another standard organization that writes fuel and electrical standards for boats. (Note: The surveys themselves should include appropriate references to the standards.) Although very few surveyors belong, a membership in the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) is almost a guarantee that the surveyor takes a highly professional approach to valuations. 3. Can I be present? If you plan to be there during the inspection, be sure to ask if it’s OK. Most surveyors prefer you be there, if for no other reason than to make sure you understand whatever problems they encounter. However, there are a few surveyors who prefer to work alone. 4. How much do you charge? Once you’ve found the best person for the job, ask about price and what’s included. Some surveyors want an up-front deposit and a few want to be paid in full. You may also be asked to sign a written agreement. As with any contract, read it before you sign.
The outboard sides of engines on sport fish boats can make inspection difficult. A great example of out of sight out of mind.
This article was reprinted with permission from BoatUS Magazine, flagship publication of the membership organization Boat Owners Association of the United States (BoatU.S.). For more expert articles and videos to make your boating, sailing, or fishing better, visit BoatUS.com. This headstay failure is a good example of why rigging inspection is so important. April 2022
Southern Tides Magazine
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The Riverkeeper Report O
Compiled by Meaghan Gerard Communications & Administrative Director Ogeechee Riverkeeper meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org
RK's Education and Outreach Coordinator, Mel Sparrow, was named the New Trainer of the Year by Georgia Adopt-A-Stream. The award recognizes the accomplishments of trainers with less than three years of experience with Georgia AAS. The awards celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding volunteers and improve program retention by recognizing the diversity of participants. *** Ogeechee Riverkeeper and the City of Savannah are partnering to lead a long term project to protect the water quality and ecology of the Vernon River. Two litter booms were recently deployed in an effort to catch litter before it reaches the river or the ocean. The booms were installed in the Chippewa and Harmon Canals. These traps will be cleaned out regularly and the litter will be sorted, analyzed, cataloged and then recycled or disposed of responsibly. The booms were designed and installed by Osprey Initiative, and were paid for by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). ORK received the 5 Star grant from NFWF for its comprehensive plan involving multiple stakeholders in the area. In 2021, ORK the City of Savannah, and other stakeholders set out to restore the waterways in the Vernon River basin to the point that it can be delisted as an impaired waterbody by GA EPD; and to reduce the amount of litter and plastic pollution entering the waterways. The canals and tributaries that feed the Vernon River are highly impacted by urban development. “All of Savannah’s stormwater infrastructure flows into a public waterway,” says Laura Walker, Water Resources Environmental Manager for the City of Savannah. “These waterways are lifelines to Savannah’s environmental and economic health. We work hard every day to try and keep them fishable and swimmable. But we need everyone to treat the storm system with care. We need everyone to protect the storm drains, ditches, and creeks and keep them clean.” The Vernon River receives a significant amount of the stormwater leaving the City of Savannah, via Wilshire Canal, Harmon Canal, Casey Canal, and Hayners Creek, all part of the Ogeechee River watershed. The goal is to improve water quality, restore ecological habitat, and “Protect The Vernon” from current and future threats. “We are so grateful for the broad group of stakeholders working with us to minimize the threats that urban runoff, and litter and plastic pollution pose to this special waterbody,” says Damon Mullis, riverkeeper and executive director. “Local residents are encouraged to volunteer for litter cleanups, citizen science programs, educational events, and more in the coming months.” Sign up to volunteer, view data, watch an installation video, and view the successes to date: www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/vernon
A
ltamaha Riverkeeper continues to push for responsible coal ash disposal, away from Georgia's waterways. “If Georgia Power can excavate the ash at Plant Bowen and put it into a lined facility, they can do it at Plant Scherer in Juliette and they can do it everywhere,” said Fletcher Sams, executive director of the Altamaha Riverkeeper. Details: altamahariverkeeper.org
C
ongratulations to Hannah Bonvechio who won Adopt-A-Stream's Nymph Award, an award for a volunteer who excelled in promoting the protection of water quality and who has participated in water quality testing for less than three years. Satilla Riverkeeper also won the 2021 Water Quality Testing award for nonprofit organizations. www. satillariverkeeper.org/
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rab your bike and join St. Marys Riverkeeper and Camden Cycling Club as we ride along a portion of Trail Ridge on April 9. Learn about the Okefenokee Swamp and Chesser Island Landfill. Our guest speaker will discuss the landfill and the impacts it may have on the St. Marys River watershed. stmarysriverkeeper.org
S
avannah Riverkeeper confirms that so far 19 cannons have been found at the bottom of the Savannah River. These artillery pieces pre-date the Civil War and are likely Revolutionary era. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, who is conducting the archaeology project, is trying to locate identifying marks on the cannons. savannahriverkeeper.org.
A litter trap being installed. Photo provided by Ogeechee Riverkeeper April 2022
Southern Tides Magazine
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Community Updates What's the Hook? Awards A seafood pitch competition launched by UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant will award funding to seven projects that support Georgia’s working waterfronts and seafood products. The competition, called What’s the Hook?, is funded by the National Sea Grant College Program and is designed to help individuals and businesses in the seafood industry recover from economic disruptions created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this year, small business owners, university professionals and non-profit organizations presented their ideas to a committee representing diverse businesses, cultures, and communities in coastal Georgia. The projects selected for funding were awarded based on their ability to promote Georgia’s unique coastal seafood-related experiences, build the resilience of Georgia’s working waterfronts, strengthen Georgia’s local seafood and tourism-related industries, and assist businesses with redefining their operations or business models in response to the pandemic. The full list of awardees include: Oyster Trail Development – Patrick Holladay, Georgia Grown Trail 17 The Agnes Marie Experience – Don McGraw, Coco’s Tybee Island Coastal Georgia Aquaculture Exhibit & Tours – Charlie Phillips, Sapelo Sea Farms, Phillips Seafood & The Fish Dock Bar & Grill Georgia Seafood On My Mind! – Bob Pinckney, UGA Entrepreneurship Program A Catalyst for Coastal Seafood Eco-Tourism – Alex Smetana, Darien-McIntosh County Chamber of Commerce The Darien Social Relaunch – Amy Spinks, The Darien Social More From the Shore – Marty Williams, God’s Oceans, LLC More information about the projects, including the videos of the pitches are available at gacoast.uga.edu/whats-the-hook/
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The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) offers marine trades training with options for both online and in-person courses. All courses are available to both ABYC members and non-members, though member registration rates are lower. The following online courses include ABYC instructors leading live online sessions with Q&A, recordings of each session available the next day and online proctored certification exams. Upcoming courses: • Marine Systems Certification (three days/week for three weeks, 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. each day), May 3 - 19 • ABYC Standards Certification (three days/week for one week, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day), May 3 - 5 • Gasoline Engines Certification (three days/week for two weeks, 3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. each day), May 10 - 19 (only gas engine certification in 2022) The next courses won't be available until Fall/Winter 2022. For information about ABYC membership visit: abycinc.org/page/Join For information about courses and registration visit: abycinc.org/events/event_list. asp or contact Casey Bates at cbates@abycinc.org (410) 990-4460 ext. 100. 28
Southern Tides Magazine April 2022
Virtual Tour of Gray's Reef Please join the GA Coastal Management Program for a Brownbag Presentation from Gray's Reef Superintendent Stan Rogers & Research Ecologist Kim Roberson on A Virtual Tour of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. The event will be held at the Susan Shipman Environmental Learning Center at GADNR Coastal headquarters, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, on April 20, from noon until 1:00 p.m. Photo provided by GRNMS This presentation will provide a virtual tour of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) including an overview of ongoing and new sanctuary programs and initiatives. To understand how the programs and initiatives support the management goals of the sanctuary, sanctuary representatives will start at the beginning of why GRNMS was designated in 1981, discuss major milestones over the years, and then provide the latest on resource protection, scientific research and monitoring, and education and outreach initiatives including upcoming condition report update and management plan review. GRNMS, off the coast of Georgia, contains one of the largest nearshore, live-bottom reefs of the southeastern United States. Located 19 miles offshore from Sapelo Island, GRNMS is currently the only protected natural reef on the continental shelf off the Georgia coast and one of only a few marine protected areas in the ocean between Cape Hatteras, North Carolina and Cape Canaveral, Florida. NOAA designated the sanctuary in 1981 to protect the quality of this unique and fragile ecological community. The approximately 22-square-mile sanctuary is just a small part of U.S. territorial waters, yet its value as a natural marine habitat is recognized nationally and internationally. Please contact Kelly Hill at Kelly.Hill@dnr.ga.gov with any questions or to reserve a seat.
Manomet Awarded Wildlife Viewing Grant Six wildlife viewing grant proposals were selected by the DNR Wildlife Resources Division as 2022 recipients in the Wildlife Viewing Grants Program, including one from the coastal area. The grants, funded by the Georgia Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund, help develop and enhance wildlife viewing options, with an emphasis on State Wildlife Action Plan species and habitats. The plan is a comprehensive strategy to conserve these animals, plants and places before they become rarer and costlier to conserve or restore. The coastal recipient, Manomet, will receive $2,999 to create shorebird guides and banded-bird stickers to help steward programs inform the public about priority species on Georgia beaches and other coastal sites. The grants are small – capped at $3,000 each – but the interest they tap is big. According to a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service survey, about 2.4 million people took part in wildlife-viewing activities in Georgia in 2011. The survey estimated related spending at $1.8 billion. The Wildlife Conservation Section is charged with restoring and conserving nongame wildlife, rare native plant species and natural habitats through research, management and education. The section depends largely on fundraisers, grants and donations to the Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund. Sales and renewals of DNR’s eagle, monarch and hummingbird license plates are the leading fundraiser.
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John S. Ramsey, Owner Authorized
April 2022
Southern Tides Magazine
29
Dealer
The Bitter End When men were men ... and women were, too By Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill
A
s we’re all well aware, we live in some very odd times! However, we aren’t that different from our pirate forefathers before us. How so? Prepare yourself to be blindsided, or broadsided, whichever the case may be. History is very important to me, and perhaps, in looking back, I should have been a history professor as a calling instead of a crochety old boat captain. But I do get a chance to see a lot of local history each day, in and around the lowcountry coastline. One example I’m eager to learn more about are the 19 canons, dating back to the Revolutionary War that the Army Corp of Engineers have recovered from the Savannah River over the past year. I get to see lighthouses, those ancient beacons that guided mariners to safety. I also get to see river fortifications that once protected our shipping ports and seaside communities – the name of one of these leads me to this column. Fort Pulaski sits astride the North and South Channels of the Savannah River, though this article is not about the fort, rather the person it’s named after: Casimir Pulaski, of Polish blood and military fame and the one time bodyguard of General George Washington. Later, during the Siege of Savannah, Pulaski was mortally wounded and subsequently died aboard the USS Wasp. And here is where the tale takes on a couple of twists. There are two different accounts regarding Count Pulaski’s remains. One is that he was buried at sea not far from where the Savannah River meets the Atlantic, as was reported by his aide de camp. The other claims he was laid to rest in an unmarked grave at Greenwich Plantation. In 1995, the remains in Greenwich were exhumed and reinterred at Monterey Square in Savannah. As y’all know, I love taking folks down the rabbit hole with me, so here we go. When the body was exhumed to be moved, physicians confirmed that it fit the bill for “a man of Pulaski’s age and stature,” as stated on the historical marker in Monterey Square. DNA samples were taken during the relocation of the alleged remains and tested to see if this was indeed Count Casimir Pulaski. The results came back with a stunning revelation. Though the skeletal remains appeared to be male and first-hand accounts of Pulaski during his lifetime indicated that he had male characteristics, including facial hair and baldness, the DNA results indicated the deceased was female. Yep, that’s right, female. This has been a matter of contention for nearly two decades
Was Pulaski female or does someone else lie beneath the monument in Monterey Square? Photo by J. Gary Hill
now. Those of you with kids may be familiar with the story of Mulan, a young Chinese girl who impersonates her father and joins the army. Was this perhaps an American version? Throughout history there are accounts of women impersonating men in order to accomplish some task that women weren’t permitted to do, including military service. Some medical experts have suggested that if it is Pulaski, his gender would be classified as intersex, which does not conform to our normal binary definitions of male and female. So, is it Pulaski buried in the grave that carries his name or someone else? If not Pulaski, who? Maybe he was buried at sea and someone else lies in that final resting place in Monterey Square. Who’s to say which story is the correct one? There are multiple sources for both versions online. What do I know, I’m just a crochety old captain. Have I ever told you about the French word matelotage? No? Well, that one is a doozy, but as I’m seeing the bottom of the page coming up, it’s time to save this and send it to the boss lady since I’m already “way late for a very important date” as my rabbit friend would say. Hope you’ve enjoyed another foray into the past! 'Til our wakes cross again, peace and love, and shrimp and grits. I'll see you on the water!
Email: TheOriginalCaptainGator@gmail.com 30
Southern Tides Magazine April 2022
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