Southern Tides all about the water
June 2021
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In the Tides CREW
Issue No. 70 June 2021
Publisher/Editor Amy Thurman amy@southerntidesmagazine.com
7 Editor's Note
Consulting Naturalist John "Crawfish" Crawford crawfish@uga.edu
9 Around the Reef 11 Salt Marsh & Horseshoe Crabs
The Bitter End Columnist Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill theoriginalcaptaingator@gmail.com
13 Summer Fun! 15 An Afternoon with a Naturalist
Around the Reef Columnist Michelle Riley michelle.riley@noaa.gov Contributors
23 Gray's Reef Exhibit at TIMSC 25 Ogeechee Story Map Unveiled
Portia Miller Gray's Reef Nat'l. Marine Sanctuary
26 Manatee Facing Starvation 28 Community Updates
Erin Weeks UGA Marine Extension & GA Sea Grant
30 The Bitter End
Sara Buck Lane Tybee Island Marine Science Center Meaghan Walsh Gerard Ogeechee Riverkeeper Tim Keyes GADNR Coastal Resources Division
Copyright © 2015-2021
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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June is storm season. Crawfish and I kept our eyes pealed on the horizon on our nature adventure (page 15), but we got lucky. Be sure to check weather reports before heading out. Photo by Amy Thurman
June 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
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Editor’s Note
Conservation Begins at Home There have been 761 manatee deaths in Florida waters since January 1 (see article on pages 26 � 27). They're starving to death due to a decline in seagrass and an increase in algal blooms, both of which can be caused by fertilizer and pesticide runoff into streams and rivers. Although manatees only spend summers here and there's plenty of food available to them in our waters, other local species suffer the same fates here. Please pay attention as you fertilize your lawns and gardens and treat for pests. Is it possible for these chemicals to find a way into local waterways? If so, there are many measures now available to prevent runoff, such as plantings, retention zones, and other methods that are cost effective and attractive. If you'd like information, please email me. Every plant and animal species fits into the global ecosystem and serves a purpose. Let's all do our part to protect them. The Burger Boat Now to finish out this column on a happy note! You might remember a couple years ago when Southern Tides stood behind Steve Martin and Margo Green in their efforts to get The Burger Boat licensed and legal to operate in Georgia waters? And they’ve been advertisers since they accomplished their mission. But in all this time, I’ve never been able to be in the same place they were to place an order myself, until this month. I caught up with Steve and The Burger Boat at Isle of Hope Marina (also an advertiser!) and ordered a cheeseburger with bacon. I have to tell you, it was the best burger I’ve eaten in recent memory! They’re at Isle of Hope Marina on Wednesdays, Daufuskie’s Melrose dock on Fridays, Williamson Island on Saturdays and Bull River Marina on Sundays. I highly recommend giving them a try! I hope you enjoy this issue of Southern Tides, and that your summer is off to a lovely start!
S
ummer has arrived! We’re safely done with cold snaps, marsh grass is greening up nicely, live oaks have finally stopped shedding, fresh produce is readily available (including in my garden), and everything related to the outdoors and the water is in full swing. I love this time of year, even the rainy days that are so prevalent in June. Three things I want to talk about this month. Trash on the Beach While out with Crawfish on a nature adventure, we spent a little time on Wassaw Island’s north beach talking about the plants and animals we saw when we came across something that stopped us both. There on the beach, with no one around, were a dozen or more glass bottles, aluminum cans, and a can of sunscreen, clearly left behind by someone. Or two someones, as there were about a half-dozen empty Smirnoff Ice bottles and a half dozen empty pineapple hard seltzer cans. We picked everything up and took it back to the boat, but we shouldn’t have had to. We’re not your parents. I’m thoroughly disgusted. Leaving your trash on the beach? Total disregard not only for our beautiful coastal area, which is bad enough, but leaving glass on the beach where it can break and some kid out enjoying a beautiful day could step on it? Whatever happened to personal responsibility? You care enough about yourself to use sunscreen, but not the beautiful beach you’re sitting on. Got it. PLEASE CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF. Others shouldn’t have to go behind you cleaning up your mess. If you’re old enough to drink on the beach, you’re old enough to know that.
See you out there!
Left: trash found on Wassaw Beach. Above: returning a stranded horseshoe crab to the water.
Amy Thurman
Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com June 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
7
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Around theReef
ocean areas, with 1,000 of them being in United States waters, according to the Pew Trusts. These areas protect habitats, animals, and natural wonders such as reefs, as well as making sure that our Blue Economy stays strong with positive impacts on the environment. This brings us to our treasured protected area close to home: Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Gray’s Reef is one of only 14 National Marine Sanctuaries in the United States. Known as a “live-bottom” sandstone reef, it’s a perfect example of the ocean’s own life, beauty and strength. Thousands of spineless animals such as sponges and coral cover the rocky ledges of the reef, making the sea floor come alive with color and movement. These plentiful ledges provide shelter and food for larger marine life, many of which are endangered or threatened. For example, the threatened loggerhead sea turtle – one of the sanctuary’s most recognized creatures – can often be found resting and hunting for food in and around the reef. And remember those important creatures called oceanic plankton that provide us with nearly 50-80% of our oxygen? Gray’s Reef is also home to an abundance of them. Larger versions, such as red algae and seaweed, can also be seen floating and covering the hard bottom of Gray’s Reef. They not only provide oxygen for us, but also provide food for turtles, fish, and crabs, along with helping some corals remove the waste they produce. Protecting, learning, and caring for Gray’s Reef also creates tons of jobs – part of the Blue Economy. Gray’s Reef employs researchers, data analysts, and resource protection specialists, just to name a few. Without these jobs, we wouldn’t understand what’s going on beneath our waters. Researchers and analysts provide much needed information about the reef ’s ecosystem, including what types of animals live there permanently and which ones move back and forth between other waterways. Collecting data also allows us to understand how to take care of the reef. Knowing that the reef has a live bottom, for example, informs resource managers as they make decisions that protect living resources. The regulation that prohibits anchoring at Gray’s Reef is to prevent harm to the delicate animals on the bottom. Being aware of the ocean’s biological and economic impacts is important, and to make sure we continue to see these benefits in the future, we must practice careful conservation here at home and around the globe. Explore and learn more about your local marine sanctuary!
By Portia Miller Communications Intern Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
A
lthough June 8 has been named World Ocean Day, we need not limit our opportunities to reflect on one of our greatest natural resources to just one day. Given that this year’s theme was “The Ocean: Lives and Livelihoods,” let’s take a step back and look at how the ocean truly impacts us and dive into our local example at Gray’s Reef. The ocean doesn’t just provide us with scenic views and beautiful vacation spots. It actually helps keep us alive. Most importantly, the ocean provides at least half of the air we breathe – somewhere between 50 and 80%. But how does this happen? Small creatures that live in the ocean, like algae, bacteria, and drifting plants, absorb sunlight and use it to make their own food, releasing oxygen as a result. These creatures are known scientifically as oceanic plankton. While plankton can be tiny, they have the potential to create more oxygen than all our tropical rainforests combined! Aside from providing us oxygen, the ocean also affects our livelihoods. We don’t just use it for fishing, swimming, and diving; we use the ocean’s resources to grow our economy and create jobs around the world. According to the World Bank, there are many parts to this “Blue Economy,” including catching seafood, creating energy from the ocean, and trading goods across the sea. People who work in the tourism industry, like on our well-loved Tybee Island, bring in over 50 billion dollars each year combined. Clearly, thousands of jobs revolve around the ocean - in fact, NOAA estimates that our Blue Economy will double by 2030, bringing its value to 3 trillion dollars! We now know the ocean contributes to our lives and livelihoods - but why “Ocean Day” and not “Oceans Day”? Why do we hear both words so often? While our global body of water is formally known as the Ocean, it’s actually divided up into five different ocean basins, which are giant valleys on the seafloor. The Atlantic, Pacific, Indian, Antarctic, and Arctic basins make up the geographically divided areas. Within these basins, there are over 15,000 protected Benthic algae grow on the hard-bottom ledges of Gray’s Reef, serving as food, energy, and shelter. Photo by Greg McFall/NOAA For Information contact Michelle Riley: (912) 598-2417 michelle.riley@noaa.gov
June 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
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Salt Marsh & Horseshoe Crabs By Erin Weeks Media Coordinator SCDNR Marine Resources Division
In June 2019, staff collected samples of horseshoe crab eggs at 28 locations in marshes and 32 locations on beaches and assessed them for successful development. From each of these samples, they looked at a minimum of 50 eggs, embryos and trilobites (young horseshoe crabs) under a microscope and classified the developmental stage of each. Using statistical computing software, they then analyzed for habitat differences among each of seven distinct developmental stages. They found healthy horseshoe crab eggs, embryos and trilobites in both marsh and beach locations, demonstrating that eggs laid in the salt marsh could in fact successfully hatch and develop despite apparent sub-optimal conditions. However, they also found significant differences in the two habitat types. While the prevalence of early and middle developmental stages was similar across habitats, beach sites were more likely to have advanced-stage trilobites. Marshes also had a higher number of discolored eggs, which are likely less viable. Because the surveys represent just a snapshot in time, the authors are conducting additional research this year to help determine whether these distinctions reflect differences in spawning timing
I
t’s one of the great natural spectacles of the Atlantic coast – every spring, masses of horseshoe crabs come ashore and crowd sandy beaches to mate and lay eggs. Such beaches have long been considered the best and possibly only environment where horseshoe crab eggs can successfully hatch and grow. But South Carolina Department of Natural Resources biologists recently confirmed that horseshoe crab eggs and hatchlings can also survive in a surprisingly different environment – the salt marsh. Their findings were recently published in the peerreviewed journal The Biological Bulletin. “We’ve known for a long time that horseshoe crabs spawn in the salt marsh, but we thought those eggs didn’t survive the lowoxygen environment of pluff mud.” said assistant scientist Dr. Michael Kendrick, who leads horseshoe crab research at SCDNR. “The adaptability of this species to successfully reproduce in a wide range of habitat types really highlights one of the reasons why this group of animals has existed on the planet for more than 480 million years.” The American horseshoe crab is an ancient marine invertebrate recognized by its pointed tail and domed ‘head,’ which protects six pairs of walking and feeding feet. Although they spend much of their lives offshore feeding on small clams and worms in the seafloor, they’re not uncommon on South Carolina and Georgia beaches – particularly when they come ashore under new and full moons to mate and lay eggs during the spring. Horseshoe crabs play a critical role in the coastal ecosystem and human health: their eggs are an important food sources for tens of thousands of shorebirds making long migrations, and a compound in their blood is collected and used to detect contamination in vaccines and medical devices. While horseshoe crab numbers have steeply declined in places such as New York, the most recent study by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (to which SCDNR biologists contribute) found the Southeast’s horseshoe crab population to be in “good” condition. In an article published in 2019 in the peer-reviewed Journal of Shellfish Research, based on sampling conducted in 2014, SCDNR geneticists found little evidence of inbreeding, suggesting that the state’s horseshoe crabs are relatively healthy. As coastal South Carolina continues to grow and change, however, biologists will continue monitoring where crabs are spawning, how many there are and the state of their genetic health. That’s why SCDNR biologists sought to determine whether the horseshoe crabs observed spawning in the salt marsh were contributing viable eggs to the population. These flat, tidally flooded wetlands between land and sea define much of the South Carolina and Georgia coast, but their importance to horseshoe crabs is not well understood. June 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
Horseshoe crabs are occassionally seen mating and laying eggs in the marsh, but the environment was previously assumed to be unsuitable for egg development. Photo by Kaitlyn Hackathorn, SCDNR
(horseshoe crabs could lay on beaches at different times than in marshes) or differences in the rates of development. Regardless, Dr. Kendrick says the findings have changed the way his team thinks about the importance of the salt marsh to the animals they study. “[Salt] marsh habitats in this region could represent a significant, but previously underappreciated, source of horseshoe crab embryos that may contribute substantially to the adult population,” the authors wrote. It’s horseshoe crab season right now, and you can help SCDNR biologists better understand this fascinating animal! If you see horseshoe crabs spawning on the coast, please report your sightings with photos to surveymonkey.com/r/HorseshoeCrab. 11
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Summer Fun Ideas S
ummer has finally arrived! Time to get out there and have some fun, explore, experience and engage. Here are a few ideas for you!
SHORESIDE • Check out the UGA Aquarium on Skidaway Island. Visit bit.ly/uga_aquarium_visit to learn more • Enroll your child or grandchild in the Boater Safety Course offered by the GADNR and Chatham County Marine Patrol. Anyone born after January 1, 1998, they must have this course to operate any vessel in Georgia waters. Plus, it’s just good to start them off with good boating skills and habits. • For those rainy or hot summer days, step inside the Ships of the Sea Museum and learn about maritime history with model ships, paintings, antiques and more. www.shipsofthesea.org • Love sea turtles? Take a trip to Jekyll Island and explore the Georgia Sea Turtle Center’s interactive displays, turtle tanks, gift shop, and more. www.georgiaseaturtlecenter.org • Visit the Submarine Museum in St. Marys stmaryssubmuseum.com. ··· We hope this sparks some ideas and helps you have a great summer! Please remember to check for hours and restrictions. Be sure to take drinks, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray and anything else you might need to be comfortable and enjoy your adventures. Share your own ideas and your stories on our Facebook page!
FISHING • If you don’t have a boat, consider fishing from one of the many fishing piers along our coast. Search “fishing piers near me.” • Give surf casting a try. Check online for the regulations at various beaches. • Take a break from the salt and try your hand at freshwater fishing at a state park or one of the many public fishing areas in the state. For a list, visit georgiawildlife.com/allpfas • Introduce the next generation to the water and take your kids fishing too. It’s more important than ever now to find healthy outdoor activities for them. • To get or renew a fishing license visit GoOutdoorsGeorgia. com. • For more on fishing in Georgia, visit georgiawildlife.com/ fishing/angler-resources. BOATING • Don’t have a boat? Search “boat rentals near me” or “kayak rentals near me” and rent one, or charter with any of the countless charter captains on the coast. • Explore the large rivers feeding into our coastal plains – the Savannah, Ogeechee, Altamaha, Satilla, and St. Marys Rivers all flow into our coastal region and all are unique. Go explore! • Take a day trip – plan a half-day ride to another area on the coast, then beach or anchor and have a picnic lunch before riding back. Remember to leave a float plan with someone. • Kayaks are boats too! They’re easy to operate, available for rent all along our coast, and allow you a water-level view of the marshes, rivers and creeks and all the flora and fauna that reside there. BEACHES • Visit any of the public beaches on our beautiful barrier islands. • Search for shells, sea glass, driftwood and other treasures from the high tide line down to the water. • Identify (from a distance) the many birds you’ll see. Download “My Shorebird Watcher” from your app store to learn about them. • Build a sandcastle. It’s harder than it seems! What can you create? • Get your fitness on – do yoga, go for a walk (in the water to boost resistance), a jog, or a swim (check rip currents first). • Pick up a new hobby and take a surfing or SUP lesson. • Or simply relax. People watch, nap, read a book, or just contemplate – there’s no better place for it! MORE OUTDOORS • Search for fossils and shark teeth. • Explore our area’s many historic sites. • Visit the lighthouses along our coast. Some are open to the public and you can find more information about them by visiting bit.ly/georgia_lighthouses • Plan a day or a weekend at one of Georgia’s many state parks. Visit Gastateparks.org June 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, is a great place to catch a cool ocean breeze, explore, take pictures or just relax. Photo by Amy Thurman 13
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An Afternoon with a Naturalist
Article and Photos by Amy Thurman
I
Photo by Tim Keyes, GADNR
t was a gloriously sunny morning when I headed for Isle of Hope. I was to meet up with our staff naturalist, and my friend, John “Crawfish” Crawford to go along with him on a boat ride and talk about the nature tour business he’s started, which he’s aptly called Sub-Tropical Naturalist. Although he only retired six months ago from the University of Georgia, where he spent 33 years as a marine educator with UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, there’s no keeping this natural-born teacher out of the classroom. Especially not his classroom of choice: the creeks, marshes, maritime forests, and barrier islands of the Coastal Empire. I drove through bad weather on my way to the marina and was a little concerned about the heavy gray clouds on the western horizon, but we were to be lucky and not a single raindrop fell on us that afternoon, though the overcast skies did provide some relief from the heat. When I arrived at Isle of Hope Marina, Crawfish and I grabbed a quick lunch from The Burger Boat, which docks there for lunch on Wednesdays. After eating what we both agreed were easily the best burgers to be found anywhere, it was time to head out. You might not be surprised to learn that he’s named his boat Spartina. The marsh grass that’s so critical to our coastal ecosystems, formerly known as Spartina alterniflora, was recently renamed Sporobolus alterniflorus, but just doesn’t have the pretty ring to it that we’re all so familiar with. “I still have my Spartina, though,” Crawfish jokes, patting the side of the helm console. And a good little boat she is, too. The 20-foot center console Carolina Skiff has a V-shaped hull that makes for a smooth and dry ride. We motored up the Skidaway River to the Wilmington River then out into Wassaw Sound and Crawfish talked about the geology of the area. Having worked eco-charters for several years, and through the magazine, I’ve picked up a good bit of knowledge about the area, but talking with Crawfish is kind of like having all those bits and pieces tied together into a fuller understanding. For instance, I remember on the eco-tour boats we used to tell guests that there’s no naturally occurring rocks in this area. Crawfish explained that the composition consists of layers of clay, sand, limestone, and sand stone, and that granite, or bedrock, is about a mile down. We turned into Tybee Cut and motored on to the north end of Cabbage Island where Crawfish pointed out a small duck resting on the beach. “That’s a red-breasted merganser. They’re usually gone by now, but that one seems to be a little late leaving.” We pulled into a small tidal stream and set the anchor then walked along the oyster shell rakes to see what we could see. Almost immediately we came across a horseshoe crab carcass and John pointed out that it was male, and showed me one way to distinguish sex – the front of the shells of male horseshoe crabs are more deeply bowed, which allows them to attach to females for mating. A little further along the rake we came across another horseshoe crab and this one was huge! She had to be 15 inches across and about 18 inches long, not including her tail. When Crawfish flipped her over, we discovered she was still alive. “We can save this one,” he said, then picked her up and handed her to me. I carried her to the water’s edge and carefully placed her in it, thrilled to see her swim away. Back in the boat we motored on, making our way around Cabbage Island toward Williamson Island, which is now little more 16
Southern Tides Magazine
June 2021
Critters everywhere! Opposite page top: Crawfish pointed out a beautiful green heron in flight but I was unable to get a good photo of it, so Tim Keyes, with GADNR, provided this image. Opposite middle, inset and main image: A ghost crab and the hole it burrows into the sand above the high tide line. Opposite bottom: A red-breasted merganser, resting on a shell rake on Cabbage Island. This page, top: I lost track of the number of dolphins we saw that afternoon, everywhere we went! Middle left: A cannonball jellyfish in the waters of Wassaw Sound. Middle right: Ruddy turnstones hunting for food on the bank of Mill Creek, Wassaw Island. Above left: A large female horseshoe crab that was stranded but still alive. We returned her to the water and were happy to see her swim off. Above right: A mud crab, relative of the stone crab, found on Wassaw beach. June 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
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than a large sandbar. Crawfish said it hadn’t been an island at all when he was a kid, merely a sandbar off Petite Chou (pronounced petty choo, French for “little cabbage”), now also known as Beach Hammock. I remembered when I first arrived in Savannah and Williamson was a frequent stop on eco-tours. It had large dunes and beaches that, especially in springtime, were teaming with life: horseshoe crabs nesting on the beaches, sea birds everywhere, and sea stars, urchins and various crabs in the shallow waters surrounding it. We crossed Wassaw Sound and followed the beach around to the west where we rounded the point and entered Mill Creek. This tidal creek winds deep into the island and as we followed it, John share more about the birds we saw, the marsh plants and trees growing in the marsh along side it, and the history of the island. Wassaw was originally privately owned, but the family sold most of the island to the Nature Conservancy to protect it from development, keeping only a small plot that the descendants still use today. The Nature Conservancy then sold it to US Fish and Wildlife Service for $1.00, to become a national wildlife refuge. We went as far up the creeks as possible, where deadfall from recent hurricanes blocked the channel, then returned and beached the boat to go explore. There were a couple boats anchored along the beach and a man and his sons were fishing off the point, but otherwise the beach was deserted. As we walked, Crawfish pointed out some edible plants, which of course we tasted (salty, but would make nice additions to salads), and showed me how to make a “needle and thread” from a yucca leaf. He also pointed out small numbered signs placed every hundred meters along the bluff and explained that they’re used by sea turtle groups to map sea turtle nests. Then he exclaimed, “Oh look! Turtle tracks!” And sure enough, there in the sand were the distinct marks left by flippers as a sea turtle crossed the sand looking for a nest site. “This was a false crawl,” he explained, referring to the fact that the tracks led back to the water and no nest was evident. “She chose not to nest here for some reason.” Clouds were building again to the west and we decided to start making our way back to the dock, but first we stopped at Dead Man Hammock where Crawfish once again anchored the boat. The “beach” here was a massive shell rake, composed of thousands of loose shells, mostly oyster, but with the occasional clam shell mixed in. The rake arced gracefully around the curve of the hammock with levels of varying heights. When I told Crawfish that the tops were flat and were almost like footpaths, he explained that these were storm event ridges. Strong wave action washed the shells up and deposited them as we found them. “Not everyday wave
As we explored marshes and beaches, Crawfish pointed out numerous edible plants. Please be certain of the identity before you sample anything! From top: Saltwort (Batis maritima); American sea rocket (Cakile edentula); American glasswort, or pickleweed (Salicornia virginica). All are fairly salty, no surprise given that they grow in the salt marsh and high on the beach. All are also slightly bitter, with more mature plants having a stronger flavor. All are good additions to salads and can be eaten raw or cooked. Glasswort may have been used by Native Americans to treat arthritis pain and inflammation. 18
Southern Tides Magazine
June 2021
They may have changed the name of our marsh grass, but I still have my Spartina!
Above: A Yucca filamentosa plant, commonly known as Adam's needle or Spanish bayonet, growing on the beach on Wassaw Island. Left: Crawfish demonstrating how to whittle the frond into a "needle and thread." June 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
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action, but strong storms like Nor’easters or tropical storms and hurricanes,” Crawfish said. To look at the rakes in that light gave an impressive example of the strength of wind and wave action. That thought, coupled with the name of the hammock, and it wasn’t a place I’d want to be in bad weather. Back at the dock, Crawfish and I sat at a table in the marina’s pavilion and talked a little longer about his new business, good burgers, moonshine, terrapins, manatees, boats, and any number of other topics before we parted ways with promises to visit again soon. I look forward to our next trip, and if you’re as fascinated with our coastal area as I am, I’d suggest booking a trip with Crawfish. He’s an amazing and entertaining teacher and you’ll leave him with a greater appreciation for the natural wonder of our coastal region.
A windswept red cedar on a shell rake on the east end of Dead Man Hammock. Crawfish remembers when it was green and healthy! Red cedar wood is insect resistent so these trees stay around for a very long time.
Sub-Tropical Naturalist, LLC, will offer halfday and full-day trips that will vary by tides and seasons. As Crawfish says, “We’ll go see what we can see!” This might include beach combing, exploring tidal creeks, bird-watching, natural history, area ecology, wildlife studies, and more. He’s eager to share his knowledge and experience with you! To book a trip with Sub-Tropical Naturalist, email Crawfish at subtropicalnaturalist@gmail.com or call (912) 657-1651. To watch a video tribute to John by Morton House Media, visit bit.ly/crawfish_tribute.
river drive marine group 3327-B Russell Street Thunderbolt, GA 31404
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5/18
Gray's Reef Exhibit at TIMSC By Sara Buck Lane Tybee Island Marine Science Center
E
xciting things are happening on the north end of Tybee Island! On April 1st, the new Tybee Island Marine Science Center opened its doors to the public at a brand new location on the north end of the island. The much anticipated opening came after months and months of delays due to the pandemic. While some of the center’s exhibits are still not yet completed, the newest completed exhibit is one you don’t want to miss. Visitors to the Tybee Island Marine Science Center are now able to experience NOAA’s Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary, virtually. From diving the live-bottom reef to observing the underwater creatures and getting up close and personal with a loggerhead sea turtle, it’s an interactive experience like none other in the area. The exhibit is the first of its kind in the region and features a multi-media gallery and touchscreen display that took approximately nine months to complete. Through the use of hydrophones placed in Gray’s Reef, visitors are also able to hear recordings of happenings at the reef. “Visitors of all ages are in for a real treat. Our Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary exhibit is unlike any other in this area, as you can see what nature has formed over thousands of years at the reef without boarding a boat,” said Cathy Sakas, president of the
Tybee Island Marine Science Center’s Board of Trustees. Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary is located 19 miles off the coast of Georgia and is one of 14 national marine sanctuaries and two national marine monuments that make up the National Marine Sanctuary System. Gray’s Reef spans approximately 22 square miles and is currently the only protected natural reef area on the mid-continental shelf off the Georgia coast. Invertebrates provide food for many fishes that also seek shelter in the reef ’s cracks and crevices, which gives the habitat of Gray’s Reef the “live bottom” name. The Tybee Island Marine Science Center is located at 37 Meddin Drive on the north end of the island. The Center is currently open Thursday through Sunday, 10am-4pm (last ticket sold at 3:30pm) for self guided Behind the Scenes tours. Visitors to the Center will have the opportunity to experience the completed exhibits and engage staff as they work to complete the remaining exhibits. For more information on the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, visit www.tybeemarinescience.org and for more information on the Center’s ongoing capital campaign, please visit www. bringingtheoutsidein.org.
Photo by Maria Procopio, Tybee Island Marine Science Center June 2021
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R E M � �� ! L � � � �O Marine Trades Summer Social
Thursday, July 22, 6:00 p.m.
Live music, great food, and marine industry networking opportunities. Hosted by the Georgia Marine Business Association
For more information: www.georgiamarinebusiness.org amy@southerntidesmagazine.com
Ogeechee Story Board Unveiled By Meaghan Walsh Gerard Communications and Administrative Director Ogeechee Riverkeeper
I
n honor of Earth Day this year, Ogeechee Riverkeeper unveiled a new interactive story map highlighting the watershed it protects. Using ArcGIS technology, the web-based platform integrates data, narrative, maps, and graphics to tell the story of the Ogeechee River basin and the Riverkeeper organization. The result is an interactive experience for the user. With the Ogeechee River and its main tributary, the Canoochee at 402 miles long, the Ogeechee River basin encompasses more than 5,500 square miles across 22 Georgia counties. And with evidence of at least 10,000 years of human habitation, that’s a lot of story to tell. The story map touches on early history of the area as well as more recent changes like population growth. A side-by-side map shows just how quickly the density has changed in the past four decades. The interactive platform also summarizes some of the main threats to the health of the Ogeechee basin and how people can get help Ogeechee Riverkeeper in its mission to protect, preserve, and improve water quality. Ogeechee Riverkeeper enlisted the expertise of locally owned Transport Studio to help design the story map. Using data points collected from various sources, it was built on an ESRI platform. The software allows the programmers to layer maps and data in new and interesting ways. “We are in awe of the commitment of Ogeechee Riverkeeper to protect our shared river basin,” said Whitney Shephard, owner of Transport Studio. “Most of Chatham County thinks of the Savannah River, but in reality, 76% of the county is in the Ogeechee watershed. Whether you’re paddling, drinking clean water, or appreciating the deep heritage, the river is a tremendous resource to our community and upstream communities alike.” The map is accessible via the Ogeechee Riverkeeper website. Users are encouraged to explore the story map and find a graphic “canoe guy” for a chance to win prizes.
Visit
www.OgeecheeRiverkeeper.org June 2021
Southern Tides Magazine
25
Manatees Facing Starvation
This image and below: manatees socializing at the surface.
All photos provided by GADNR
I
t’s not known yet if the adult manatee found dead at the mouth of the Altamaha River in April is a harbinger of trouble to come. But a necropsy of the 1,500-pound animal suggests its demise is connected to the die-off of 761 manatees along Florida’s Atlantic Coast so far this year. DNR senior wildlife biologist Clay George said the Altamaha manatee had a GI tract full of marsh grass, yet its fat stores were severely depleted. A decline in seagrass – which manatees eat – and an increase in algal blooms, both caused by poor water quality, are seen as leading culprits in Florida's surge of distressed and dying manatees. A second factor is sub-average winter temperatures that bunched animals at manmade warm-water sites, such as power plants, where there wasn’t enough food. Manatees migrating to Georgia will find an all-they-can-munch buffet of cordgrass and other marsh vegetation. But the fallout from chronic malnutrition and the stress of migration could catch up with some animals. As it likely did with the manatee that died in the Altamaha. The U.S. and Florida Fish and Wildlife Services have declared an Unusual Mortality Event (UME). The deaths this year are three times higher than average. “It remains to be seen if we will see an uptick in mortality as more manatees begin arriving,” George said. “Everyone hopes
things will improve this summer now that the water has warmed up and manatees can disperse and find food in other locations with better food resources. The concern is that mortality will resume next winter if the seagrass resources are not able to recover between now and then. We know from satellite tracking data that many of the manatees that migrate to Georgia each summer spend their winters in Brevard County, and neighboring Florida counties, so an unknown (but potentially sizeable) number of our manatees have likely been affected by the UME.”
To read about what the Florida FWC is doing, visit: myfwc.com/research/manatee/rescue-mortality-response/ume/ To learn how the U.S. Geological Survey Wetland and Aquatic Research Center is investigating this UME, visit: bit.ly/usgs_investigatesUME For statistics on this UME visit: bit.ly/manatee_deaths
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June 2021
A mother and calf pair just below the surface.
Boaters can help protect manatees by: • Looking for manatees before cranking your boat’s motor. • Using caution when navigating in shallow water and along the edge of a marsh. Manatees cannot dive away from boats in these areas. • Heeding “slow speed,” “no wake” and manatee warning signs, especially around docks. • Wearing polarized sunglasses to reduce glare and make it easier to spot manatees below the surface. • Watching for trails of large swirls in the water (called footprints) caused by manatees diving away from the boat.
In muddy or dark water, manatees can be hard to see. More on Manatees • West Indian manatees, including the Florida subspecies found in Georgia, are protected under the Endangered Species Act (they are listed as threatened) and Marine Mammal Protection Act, which makes it illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal. Conviction at the federal level is punishable by fine of up to $50,000 and/or one year in prison. • If you see or photograph a healthy, hurt or dead manatee, call DNR at (800) 2-SAVE-ME (800-272-8363). Note the date, time, location, number of manatees and, if possible, coordinates. • Never feed manatees or give them fresh water. This could teach them to approach docks, putting them at greater risk of a boat strike.
A manatee dining on marsh grass, a primary part of their diets. Take extra care near shorelines, banks and docks, as manatees may be foraging at the water's edge.
Community Updates
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Quota Hunt Applications online
Beginning June 1, hunters can apply electronically for quota hunts including youth, deer, alligator, waterfowl, dove and turkey, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division. “Interested in participating in a quota hunt this year? Be sure to take note of quota hunt deadlines and get that application in before that date,” says Tina Johannsen, Assistant Chief of the Game Management Section with the Wildlife Resources Division. “Quota hunts allow for a specific number of hunters are on a particular area and provide for excellent hunt opportunities.” A quota hunt is a scheduled event at a Wildlife Management Area or other statemanaged property where a limited number of hunters are allowed. Quota levels are Hunter Jim Shurling with an 8-foot alligator. based upon the sound principles of wildlife Photo provided by GADNR management and public desires for a quality hunt. These hunts provide a challenging and rewarding experience to hunters of all levels. Selected hunters must be properly licensed to participate in a quota hunt. Applying for a Quota Hunt is simple. Visit www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com and select “Quota Hunts” and follow the steps to complete your application. Make sure your email is current and correct in order to receive quota updates, confirmations or any notices about quota hunts. Application deadlines vary depending on hunt type. The first deadlines are July 15 for Alligator, August 15 for Dove (including Adult/Child hunts), and September 1 for all types of Deer Hunts (including Youth hunts). Check the complete deadline list located at http://georgiawildlife.com/hunting/quota#deadlines. To view selection odds, based on previous years’ applicants, visit http://georgiawildlife. com/hunting/quota#odds. For more information, visit www.georgiawildlife.com/hunting/quota.
Survey on Flooding and Coastal Resilience
The GADNR Coastal Resources Division needs your help! Please take our Flooding and Coastal Resilience Survey here: https://arcg.is/1jvaLH0. The survey was developed as part of The Georgia Flood Literacy Project to better understand citizens’ perspectives of flooding, coastal resilience, and hazard communication. The survey is intended for one person per household, and should take 5 minutes or less to complete. Thank you for your participation! If you have questions, contact Meghan Angelina at meghan.angelina@dnr.ga.gov or call (912) 264-7218.
If your organization or business has news to share, please send it to: amy@southerntidesmagazine.com 28
Southern Tides Magazine
June 2021
Taking the "Search" out of Search and Rescue
“Do I know how to be found in an emergency?” That’s a question every boater should ask at the beginning of the boating season. The answer, however, is likely to go far beyond simply having a cellphone aboard. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers five tips that can potentially speed a rescuer’s response to a boater in need of emergency help. 1. File a float plan: Telling a responsible family member or friend, leaving a note (on your vehicle’s dashboard) at the launch ramp, or using a smart phone float plan app, are great ways to allow someone else to trigger the alarm if you fail to return by an appointed time. 2. Have a VHF radio aboard — but not just any old VHF radio: All VHF radios are not alike. One of the best ways to speed an on-water rescue is to have a Digital Selective Calling (DSC) VHF radio aboard. A DSC-VHF radio does all of the things a regular VHF does, but it also has a unique press-one-button mayday feature that gives rescuers your vessel’s location — taking the “search” out of search and rescue. The newest waterproof handheld DSC-VHF radios are great for small boats. Before you install your DSC-VHF radio, be sure to get your radio’s Maritime Mobile Service Identity Number (MMSI) that is your vessel’s unique ID. BoatUS members can request one for free. 3. Label your SUP, canoe, or kayak: Adding contact information on the inside of your paddlecraft with a waterproof marker could mean less time U.S. Coast Guard and first responders need to spend chasing down false alarms. This frees up valuable resources when time really counts. And let’s face it, another benefit is that you may get your paddlecraft back after it blows down the creek or lake. It’s also a good idea to let authorities know if your paddlecraft has gone missing. 4. Do not leave shore … without a fully charged phone: Smartphones are part of life ashore and aboard. The reality, however, is that many boaters put all their safety eggs in one basket and rely solely on a cellphone to call for help. Cellphone batteries generally don’t do well after a long day of running apps, listening to music, texting, and taking photos. And for many phones, water is the enemy. Consider keeping your phone a waterproof pouch or case. If you need help for routine, nonemergency assistance, such as a tow home, battery jump, fuel delivery or soft ungrounding, download the BoatUS App that connects boaters to closest local TowBoatUS response vessel. 5. Register your EPIRB or PLB: The U.S. Coast Guard receives hundreds of false alerts each year from these critical safety devices. To free up more time for responsing to real emergencies, boaters need to properly register their Emergency Position Indicating Rescue Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB). If you need a beacon for only a short period of time, rent one from the affordable BoatUS Foundation EPIRB/ PLB rental program.
Marine Industry Networking Event - July 22
The Georgia Marine Busineass Association (GAMBA) will host its annual Summer Social on Thursday, July 22, at Thunderbolt Marine's Crew Lounge, in Thunderbolt, Ga. The event is open to anyone in the marine industry. It will include live music, food and an open bar, drawings for door prizes, and an opportunity to network with other marine businesses in the coastal region. For more information on this even, to contribute door prizes, or to become a GAMBA member, visit: GeorgiaMarineBusiness.org or call (912) 484-3611.
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Southern Tides Magazine
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Dealer
The BitterEnd
in mind that to wrestle these heavy siege weapons into their firing placements often took as many as 250 men harnessed together and struggling through the soft mud of the marsh. Three batteries, Totten, McClellan and Siegel, were positioned just over 1600 yards from the fort, on the point, near where I run charters for Captain Derek today. Prior to the battle, Union General Totten was quoted as saying “You might as well bombard the Rocky Mountains as Fort Pulaski,” though often this quote attributed to Robert E. Lee. Standing between the fort and the sweep of artillery batteries was little Cockspur Lighthouse. Though I have not been able to find a number indicating how many rounds were exchanged, one could surmise several hundred, at least. After a thirty-hour barrage, our little lighthouse came through unscathed, though one cannot say the same of Fort Pulaski. Those three closest batteries were largely responsible for breaching the southernmost corner of the fort, which led to the inevitable surrender by the fort’s commanding officer, Confederate Colonel Charles H. Olmstead. Recently colleagues of mine found what appears to be a portion of a grape shot or canister shell in the area where the siege took place. This prompted me to go online to research the battle further, and I found the map, which I hadn’t seen before. In addition, Cockspur Lighthouse is now starting a major renovation (more to come on that later) and it all just seemed to tie in together. I can and will write much more on this subject, but I also hope to inspire and challenge you all to read more on these fantastic bits of Lowcountry history.
The Battle of Fort Pulaski By Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill
G
ood day once again, and as usual, strap in for a helterskelter voyage known as The Bitter End. To be honest, as I sit down to write, I’m not sure where this will end up, and as usual my article is due today. I’ve been working long hours and renovating a house I’m preparing to move into in just a matter of days, so please humor me. Today I want to tell a story of a lighthouse, a fort, and a battle, and a bit of history concerning each. The lighthouse is Cockspur Light and the fort is Pulaski. I’m planning a more in-depth article on these two landmarks and the battles they endured later. In the last couple of days some recent finds have snagged my interest: one, a map I hadn’t seen before, and the other a rare find left over from the actual battle.
Till our wakes cross again, peace and love and shrimp and grits. I’ll see you on the water!
Fort Pulaski was the crown jewel of America’s fort systems when completed in 1847. Although a state-of-the-art fort, she was not being utilized when hostilities broke out in 1860 and on into the beginning of 1861. Only being manned by two Union caretakers during this time made her an easy victory for a contingent of 110 Confederate soldiers who sailed down the Savannah River to take charge of her in February of 1861. Pulaski was then considered to be of vital importance to Confederate forces due to her strategic location at the mouth of the Savannah River. Fast forward to April 1862. After several plans were reviewed and dismissed for various reasons the final curtain call, in the form of the Battle of Fort Pulaski, was about to be set in motion. Under the command of Union General Quincy Gillmore, 10 firing batteries (a group of one or more artillery, such as canons or mortars) were moved into position, as referenced on the map above. Now bear
Map of the Battle of Fort Pulaski, April 1862. The purple figures indicate battry positions. Map is credited to Robert Knox Sneden, a landscape painter and map-maker for the Union Army.
Email: TheOriginalCaptainGator@gmail.com
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Here is your chance to live on Burnside Island and on the creek. This house has everything for everyone. Four bedrooms, three baths, two offices, green house, sun room, FR open to kitchen, LR and DR. In addition to all this, 2 storage buildings. Well over 3000 sq. ft. It needs some of your touches but the footage is hard to find on Burnside. Private dock on tidal creek. Island Living on Burnside is the best. One 6349 Abercorn St. of the few golf cart approved areas in Chatham County. Public Park with playground Savannah, GA equipment and tennis/basketball courts. Optional HOA. Lots of island get togethers. Come join me at this wonderful and magical place. $449,000 912.352.1222
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Living Shorelines
We Prepare and Install Living Shorelines Living shorelines provide a natural and stable alternative to sea walls. Zulu is pleased to offer installation where stabilization and shoreline restoration is needed. • • • • • •
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