Editor's Note

Clockwise from right: Shark tagging with the GADNR; trammel-netting with the SCDNR; and learning to identify a gator's sex with Jekyll wildlife biologists. Fun times!

Six years ago, in September of 2015, the first issue of Southern Tides Magazine was published. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long, until I scroll through all the files on my computer (72 issues archived and this 73rd issue in progress) or look at the stacks of magazines in my office or think about all the work it’s entailed! Or when I think back over all the people I’ve met, the adventures I’ve had, and all I’ve learned and been able to share with you, our readers.

One of my favorite adventures was one of the first I wrote for the magazine in the fall of 2015, about oyster farming in South Carolina, when I spent a couple days with Frank Roberts at his oyster farm on Ladys Island. Frank was an awesome host and gave me a real understanding of the process, plus we went for a couple boat rides, harvested some oysters, ate some oysters, drank a couple beers, and I got a couple great articles out of it.

Many of my favorite articles involved getting out there and getting my hands dirty alongside people who make a living here on our coast. Spending a day crabbing with my dear friends Jamee and Don, during peeler crab season, is at the top of that list. Even though they didn’t put me through the hard work with no sleep they go through each peeler season, they taught me so much about blue crabs and the crabbing industry that I was able to share with readers through articles and photos.

I also got to spend a morning out with Captain Michael Purvis, owner of Thunderbolt Bait, learning about bait shrimping. Getting up before God to head out in the dark, deploying nets and hauling them in, leases, sorting, weather, and shrimp habits and habitats. All in a day's work!

Riding along with the Chatham County Marine Patrol was another interesting adventure. Talking with Danny, Gene and other officers about things they’ve seen and done on the job, learning about the waterways and history of the area and the challenges they face in trying to keep our water-based community safe. It might seem like the ideal job, riding around in a boat all day, but there’s so much more to it.

Another ride-along that opened my eyes was with the Savannah Bar Pilots. Those guys gave me a history lesson dating back to biblical times and on up through the very foundation of our nation, as well as an education about the port, container ships, and an inside look at an international brotherhood.

One of the loveliest experiences I’ve had was getting to spend a few days as a guest at The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island. The words used on their website are “sustainable paradise” and I can’t think of a better way of putting it. From the garden which provides food for meals to living shorelines, from staff naturalists to minimizing trash, I learned so much, while escaping from the stress and pace of everyday life in a beautiful setting.

The many times I’ve been able to get out in the field with researchers have been learning experiences too. From a nearly 12-hour day tagging sharks and redfish with the GADNR, to learning how to determine the sex of an alligator (you don’t want to know) with wildlife biologists on Jekyll Island, from shrimp assessment cruises to assess black gill with scientists with the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, to trammel netting for fisheries research with the SCDNR, and so many more. I’ve gotten a well-rounded education and have tried to share as much of what I’ve learned with you as these pages will hold.

I could keep going for days. It’s been an interesting ride, and with the support of our advertisers, our community partners, and our contributors, there’s plenty more to come. Thank you all for reading each month – although I love what I do, if you didn’t read it, there wouldn’t be much point!

Enjoy the issue and please, please, remember to thank our advertisers for making Southern Tides Magazine possible.

See you out there! Amy Thurman Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com