Black Gill Research
Oyster
Harvesting
Maritime Center’s 1st Birthday
HAPPY HOLIDAYS... ...from River Supply!
Superior products, competitive pricing, outstanding customer service, & exceptional product knowledge. The premier marine, aerospace and industrial supplier on the Georgia Intracoastal Waterway
(912) 354-7777 / (800) 673-9391 2827 River Dr., Thunderbolt, GA 31404
Life Raft sales & Services Inatable Boat Sales & Services Marine Paints Fire & Safety Equipment Yacht Chandlery & Supplies Saltwater Fishing Tackle Expedited Shipments & Deliveries
www.riversupply.com www.facebook.com/riversupplyriverservices
T
your TV or radio spots.
his month, I’d like to deliver a message to potential advertisers. The message is, “Print is NOT dead.” I’ve heard several times lately that it is, but how can that be when I get calls and emails almost daily from people asking for subscriptions, asking if they can carry the magazine at their places of business, asking where they can find a print copy in their area, etc. I’ve only gotten about four requests for the online version, and those were to ask if they could share the link on their websites or social media, not as a primary method of viewing the magazine. While it’s nice to be able to read a publication on your laptop, tablet, or phone (and you can read Southern Tides online), the fact remains that a large portion of the population still likes having that hard copy in their hands. And realistically, when readers navigate away from the page on their device, it’s no longer in front of them unless they choose to go back to it. With the print issue, it’s still laying there on the front seat of their truck, on their desk, on their coffee table, on the counter where they shop, in their briefcase, or on the nav station of their boat. In sight. And they’re going to pick it up and flip through it again, show it to friends and associates, and go back to it because it’s right there. How many pages do you have saved in your online favorites that you intend to return to, but seldom actually get to?
Another factor that comes into play is our subject matter. The topics we present to our readers focus on marine science, research, education, conservation, marine-related business interests, and boating, to name a few. And these subjects are of interest to people who are active in the community, educated, established, and understand the need to support local businesses and community-based organizations. They also love the water and we reach them better than any other media. These are your best potential clients. Why wouldn’t you want to put your business in front of them in a publication they seek out each month and which they share with friends and associates? Understandably, an online presence is still vitally important, and we do provide that. While our website is in the process being designed, an online flipbook is posted on our web page, allowing readers to view the entire print issue. All email and web addresses are live and active, enabling readers to click through directly to your business. In addition, we’re also active on Facebook and have linked with our existing advertisers and the community organizations with shared interests. We’ll even promote your in-house events on our page upon request, as one of the benefits of advertising with us. That puts you in touch with more potential clients in ways that radio and TV can’t compete with.
E ditors
Also consider our distribution area. We blanket the coastal area from St. Marys, GA, to Beaufort, SC. Local radio and TV spots can’t hit all of those markets. And in each area, our distribution concentration is high, so you are still reaching your local market, but with the added benefit of reaching outside your local market to potential clients, which radio and TV can’t do. That also holds true for subscriptions outside of our distribution area. I recently received an email from a subscriber in Macon who saw the piece about Skidaway’s Marine Science Day and wrote to tell me that he was bringing his family down to attend the event. They’ll also be having dinner while they’re here, and he brings his boat to Savannah for service and repairs. Do you not want his business? How would you reach him? He’s not going to see or hear
N ote
So how can you lose? The magazine is rapidly gaining in popularity and recognition, we reach a broader market than any other form of media, we reach your target market better than any other form of media, and we’re active in the community where you live and run your business. The answer is, you can’t lose.
Amy Thurman Editor in Chief In This Issue: • Check out photographer Kenny Carrol, of Brunswick, as he looks in a different direction than most! • Discover the Port Royal Sound Foundation’s Maritime Center – you’ll find it’s a wonderful place to visit!
• Learn about oyster harvesting and black gill, see what’s going on along the coast this month, and more!
Contributors
Captain J. Gary “Gator” Hill is a born Virginian but claims to be a native of Savannah by osmosis. Captain Gator is an avid naturalist and historian; he describes himself as one part story teller, one part educator, and one part entertainer. He works as general manager and captain at Bull River Marina; if not at work you will find him doing aerial videography around the Lowcountry
Dorothy Ingram and her husband moved to the South Carolina lowcountry from Atlanta three years ago. She volunteers her time with the Friends of Hunting Island State Park, serving both as a team leader with the Hunting Island Sea Turtle Conservation Project and as a member of the communications team, serving as the managing editor of the Loggerhead Log, FOHI’s quarterly publication. Ingram is a mixed media artist and a Master Naturalist.
Publisher/Editor – Amy Thurman Editorial Assistant – Jack Gandolfo Creative Director – Bridgette Thurman Contributing Writers/Photographers Captain J. Gary “Gator” Hill Dorothy Ingram Copyright © 2015 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, SC. Mailed subscriptions are available – call or email for details. PO Box 30724 Wilmington Island, GA 31410 (912) 484-3611 info@southerntidesmagazine.com www.SouthernTidesMagazine.com Visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/pages/southern-tides-magazine
4
SouthernTidesMagazine.com November 2015
CONTENTS
08 13 18 24
Meet Photographer Kenneth Carroll of Glynn County, Georgia, in Against the Grain. Part of our ongoing Local Artist Series..
03 06 12 23 28 30
Ongoing research into Black Gill brings key people together to share information. See Moving Black Gill Research Forward.
Shuck it! A continuation of last month’s oyster farming article, we go harvesting with Lady’s Island Oysters.
Explore the PRSF Maritime Center as it celebrates its first birthday in The Sound as a Classroom.
also in this issue Editor’s Note Community Updates Save Marshside Mama’s Did You Know? Calendar of Events What’s In A Name?
About the Cover: The Hunt, by Kenneth Carroll After losing job assignments due to more affordable immigrant workers, Carroll escaped to the marsh. He sat in the wet grass and waited, his mind in turmoil, hunting for answers, when he captured this lone egret, engaged in its own hunt.
Island Outboards
We get you back on the water ...
Yamaha Sales & Service Brian Fritts - Owner (912) 354-0400 Thunderbolt, GA
Community Updates Proceeds Donated From the 1st Historic St. Marys Fishing Classic
The Rotary Club of Camden County is pleased to announce the donation of proceeds from the 1st Historic St. Marys Fishing Classic to three charities. The first annual Fishing Classic was held in May of 2015 and deemed a major success with over 25 kids and 100 adult anglers participating. The three-day rodeo-style event included six bands, food, vendors, seminars and cash prizes. Rotary President Jennifer Lewis enthusiastically endorsed the event: “Being given the opportunity to assist in bringing a charitable fishing tournament to Camden County was met with excitement by the members of the Rotary Club of Camden Tournament Chair Jerre Brumbelow, Jeff County. This year C. Mo’s Kids, the Miracle Norris from Miracle League, Winston League of Camden County and the Shriners Barlow from C’Mo’s Kids, Terry Wright and Hospital for Children each received a $500 Bobby Miller from Shriners Hospital for donation from the event. We are looking Children. Photo by Barbara Ryan. forward to next year’s tournament and expect it to grow each year.” Tournament chairman Jerre Brumbelow noted that, “2015 was a learning year. The 2016 Classic should be a major 2016 event for downtown St. Marys and we look forward to increased participation each year. Our 5-year goal is to be the largest charity event in Camden County.” The 2nd Annual Historic St. Marys Fishing Classic is slated for June 4-6, 2016. If interested in being a sponsor or a vendor, call 229-869-2253.
Georgia DNRs CoastFest 2015
A future angler checks out a Red Drum in the aquarium. Photo courtesy of GA DNR.
After a rainy start to CoastFest
Live Shrimp • Frozen Bait Squid • Balley Hoo • Eel Cigar Minnows • Finger Mullet
898-1550 6 a.m to 4 p.m Closed Mondays 3508 Macceo Drive Thunderbolt, GA (at the boat ramp)
week and a cloudy start to the day, the skies opened up to a beautiful sunny fall day in Coastal Georgia for the 21st annual CoastFest on Saturday, October 3rd. Recognized as Georgia’s largest and most successful celebration of our coastal natural resources, CoastFest has been an annual event at the GA DNR Coastal Regional Headquarters in Brunswick since 1995. This year more than 7,500 visitors came to learn about Georgia’s unique coastal environment in a familyfriendly atmosphere. The show tents were full throughout the day,
educational, resource and environmental exhibitors all reported that they were slammed with visitors, the Fishing Rodeo and Kids Kayak Ponds were busy. BASS Elite Pro Angler J. Todd Tucker introduced visitors to the new biodegradable RatL-Trap lure and recreational fish species found in Georgia waters were on display in the 5,000-gallon saltwater aquarium. Mark your calendars for CoastFest next year – Saturday, October 1, 2016
Skidaway Marine Science Day 2015
More than 1,700 visitors enjoyed a beautiful autumn day on the University of Georgia Marine Science Campus on Skidaway Island on Saturday, October 24. The occasion was the annual Skidaway Marine Science Day. The open house event was presented by the UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, the UGA Marine Extension and Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. The event included a full program of talks, tours, displays and activities, including admission to the UGA Aquarium, a reptile experience, a tour of Georgia’s first oyster hatchery, science displays and talks. Adults and children had the opportunity to “fly” an underwater remote operated vehicle and to tour Skidaway Institute’s ocean-going Research Vessel Savannah. Also, approximately 25 off-campus environmental groups ranging from The Dolphin Project to the Burton 4-H Center set up information booth and activities.
(912) 201-3630
2815 River Drive • Thunderbolt, GA
Pipeline Docmentary Trailer Released
Young visitors to Skidaway Marine Science Day experienced sea creatures up-close at the UGA Aquarium. Photo courtesy of Skidaway Institute of Oceanography.
Augusta filmmaker Mark Albertin has released the trailer for an upcoming documentary on Kinder Morgan’s proposed Palmetto Pipeline. It features interviews with affected landowners, members of the scientific community, environmental activists and more, plus statements from Kinder Morgan representatives. Working with a group of concerned citizens known as “Landowners for Property Rights,” the director hopes the film, scheduled for release later this year, will help bring to light many of the risks, issues and concerns surrounding the controversial project. For more info, visit http://www.landownersforpropertyrights.com.
family owned and operated
Hogans’ Marina 912-897-3474 4 Wilmington Island Rd Savannah, GA 31410 HOGANSMARINA.COM
Dockage Dry Storage Boat Rentals Kayak Rentals Bait House Fuel
Meet Kenneth Carroll: a flooring contractor, a Southerner and student of Southern history, a blues fan, a black man and descendant of slaves, a husband, a photographer … and a contradiction. Growing up in Glynn County as a young boy, he would go squirrel hunting in the woods with his brothers and notice patterns in tree bark, leaves and shadows, while his young mind pondered what was beyond the woods, beyond the rural setting his parents insisted was the best thing for a young boy. He pestered his parents relentlessly to allow him and his brother to join the boys club in Brunswick, but his mother insisted that their home library and the outdoors were far better for a young mind. His first realization that he saw things differently from others came in eighth grade, when his teacher allowed students to bring in their favorite record album to share with the class. Kenny selected a Stevie Ray Vaughn album because he loved the bluesy music and because the songs made him think of the faraway places in Chicago where his mother spent her youth. He was stunned when his classmates, white and black, laughed at his selection, but he learned then, at that young age, that maybe he looked at the world with a different understanding than that of his peers. When asked about the central theme of water in most of his photos, he said, “Water patterns are amazing! Water pertains to so much here on the coast. Growing up in Fancy Bluff, it was so obvious how important the water was to our way of life. It’s contributed greatly to my outlook now and to my photography.”
Left Main: Live Oak - I took this on Thanksgiving morning in
2007, instead of staying home and contemplating what other people traditionally do on holidays. Instead I went to Jekyll Island to shoot trees. Trees fascinate me. Can you imagine how enormous that tree was when it was still living? It’s enormous now, even fallen to its side. It was putting out oxygen when Christopher Columbus was sailing the seas. It saw so much. It’s stripped down now, no longer alive, but it still tells its story. SouthernTidesMagazine.com November 2015
9
Rhythm – I’d had an argument with someone
and went out to shoot that day to make myself feel better. I was sitting down at the waterfront near the shrimp boat reflections in the water and taking a few shots. When I saw this reflection, it made me think about good and bad and the balance between them. You have to exercise both. Sometimes you have to exercise the bad, like when someone takes advantage of you, to set things right. But there has to be a balance to it, a rhythm. But this is an abstract photo and I like to let people make their own determination based on what they feel, what they believe, what they need at the time
Local Motion – When people first see this
photo, they don’t expect an image like this from a photographer like me. I took this shot after I received the Coastal Heritage Award. I’d talked with other photographers around that time and it challenged my views of my own photography and the faith I had in my own skills because I didn’t have the formal training and high-end equipment they had. I had to distinguish myself from these more experienced photographers. That day at the pier, other photographers were there shooting – the light that day was like a sepia photograph, it was amazing. I saw several shooting scenic shots with tripods. But I was laying on my stomach in the grass shooting a skateboarder. Photography’s more than just sunsets and sunrises. Sometimes it’s motion too.
Blessed Assurance – When I went out to
shoot that day, it wasn’t the kind of day most photographers would go out on, but I knew I was going to discover something. I knew it. At the time, we were still hearing about the oil spill in the Gulf, but it wasn’t impacting us here in our little bowl of Coastal Georgia. I thought about that shrimp boat captain and his knowledge and the decisions he made as he navigated his boat. I thought about the things that have impacted my life, both good and bad, that helped make me who I am today, and how if you always do the right thing, you can be assured that things will always turn out right. Blessed Assurance.
Ebb and Flow–I almost didn’t include this photo in the spread. I
haven’t shown it publicly at any gallery or show, it’s deeply personal. I went out that day to this little island; I wanted to get the silver light at twilight in this untouched space. It was fall, cold out, and the view just seemed so stripped down. Like life is sometimes. You make some decisions that go well, and some that don’t. You look back and remember your darkest moments and your happiest ones. But this photo, when people have seen it, they’ve said it’s familiar to them. Maybe from growing up here? But it’s different things for different people, which is what art is supposed to be.
Artist Kenneth Carroll
OODBREA HOUSE BED & BREAKFAST INN Four standard guest rooms & two suites, all with large private bathrooms Whole house rental available for families & groups (includes use of kitchen and two kitchenettes) Full, hot, gourmet breakfast included with stay (dietary needs accommodated)
Lovely parlor for socializing with your party and other guests Walking distance to great restaurants, historic downtown, & the Cumberland Island Ferry Nightly and weekly rates available Pet friendly!
(912) 882-7490
www.g dbreadhouse.com info@g dbreadhouse.com
209 OSBORNE STREET
. Marys, GA 31558
For the last 16 years Marshside Mama’s has been serving some of the best Lowcountry cuisine imaginable. People of all walks of life from Political, Music, Film and TV as well Pirates,Islanders and everything in between.But soon this iconic island restaurant may come to an end. Why is that you ask? Simple, Beaufort County, the entity that leases the property to Beth Shipman’s restaurant is being curiously silent in regards to her upcoming Dec renewal on her lease, and no one can figure why. It could be said that Beth is the Culinary Ambassador for Daufuskie Island. Known for her free hearted generosity this local restaurant has become more than just an eatery. Marshside Mama’s is a locals gathering spot, a place to share and visit with friends and in my case to have made new ones. From spring to fall, the island is besieged by thousands of vacationers, and with only four restaurants on the island, if Marsides closed that is effectively losing 25% of the available food service on the island. Employing approximately 10 workers that would be displaced back into a work force that couldnt handle them. This is a lose/lose equation for Daufuskie Island and Beaufort County. Beths achievements have proven themselves through things like, being selected in the top 10 beach restaurants in the nation, as well as being selected by the Food Networks new series by Curtis Stone called Beach Eats.When we contacted the production company to find out the air date for that episode we were told that it would be the final episode because they saved the best for last. Millions of viewers have seen this, and I can’t help but think that a percentage of them will journey to Daufuskie to eat at Marshside Mama’s. What a disappointment it will be for them to find out that it no longer exists. So we ask for all our readers to contact Mr Gary Kubic the Beaufort County Administrator to voice their concerns over this matter. He can be reached at gkubic@bcgov.net or via phone at (843) 255-2026. With your support we hope to see this Island Landmark and institution remain for years to come.
Bull River Marina 912-897-7300 Looking for a safe, secure, deep water home for your boat? Then look no further.
Bakers dozen special for all new one year contracts, sign for 12 and get the 13th free.
By Captain J. Gary “Gator” Hill
8005 US Hwy 80 East Savannah, GA. 31410
Amenities offered: Marine fuel, Diesel, Pump Out, 30-50 Amp Power and Water, Wifi, Boaters Lounge with T.V.
S
Moving Black Gill Research Forward
cientists, managers and shrimpers, from multiple schools, agencies, and organizations, as well as representatives from businesses with a vested interest, came together in late October. They participated in a cruise aboard the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography’s Research Vessel (R/V) Savannah to study and share information on black gill, found in shrimp in our coastal and near-coastal waters. The condition called “black gill” is caused by a parasitic ciliate that enters shrimp gills as they breathe and attaches to gill tissue. A ciliate is a single-celled animal, possessing cilia, that is found in all aquatic environments. Similar to the way our human immune systems fight infection, a shrimp’s immune system defends against the black gill ciliate in part through the production of melanin, a dark pigment that results in a dark discoloration around the gills. Trawl – Truck McIver and Isaac Martin launch the trawling net off the deck of R/V Savannah. Photo by Amy Thurman.
By Amy Thurman
Black Gill was first officially reported in 1996 by both South Carolina’s and Georgia’s DNR during routine stock assessment monitoring, and has been tracked ever since. 19 years later, understanding of the issue is still in the early stages, due to a lack of research funding across the board, for all concerned parties. One of the biggest questions facing scientists is the exact identity of the black gill ciliate. Genetic testing indicates that it belongs to a group of ciliates known as the Apostome ciliates, well known to be associated with crustaceans. However, Professor Stephen Landers, of Troy University, a leading expert in Apostome ciliates, believes it to be a new or previously unknown species. It’s important to note that while various theories have been tossed around among fishermen over the years, such as black gill being the result of pollution or contamination, this is a naturally occurring species, not a man-made threat. Professor Marc Frischer, with University of Georgia’s Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, hypothesizes that the ciliate is an invasive species. After 1996, when black gill was first observed and tracking began, the numbers fluctuated
It is important to note that this is a parasite that thrives only in shrimp gills. It is not a disease, and in 19 years of monitoring, there has been no evidence of any impact in humans, even when consumed. for several years, including years in which no quantifiable numbers were recorded. “This is typical of an invasive species establishing itself in a new location,” Frischer said. “After the species is established, it’s there every year. Although the numbers fluctuate, it no longer disappears entirely.” Researchers are also trying to determine the origin of the parasite. While black gill has been reported from Florida to Virginia, it’s range is unknown and it is more prevalent in Georgia and South Carolina, sometimes present in 100% of shrimp. To date, the black gill ciliate has been detected in white shrimp, brown shrimp, and tiger shrimp; pink shrimp have not yet been tested. Environmental factors are being researched with the hope of providing answers that will help predict the severity of black gill from season to season, which could help stabilize and sustain the shrimping industry. Could it be dormant in cool water and active in warm water? Does it hide in sediment over the winter? Data suggests heat might be a factor. However, controlled studies have not provided
Far Left: Haul – Hauling in the net after a trawl. Photo by Amy Thurman. Bottom Left: Catch – Contents of the net after a trawl. Shrimp were placed in tanks for study and the remaining catch was returned to the water. Photo by Amy Thurman. Left: Sediment Sampling – Marine technician John Bichy taking sediments samples from the bottom at a trawl location. Samples will be screened to determine if the black gill ciliate is present in the sediment. Photo by Amy Thurman. Bottom: Water_sampling – Water samples from the trawl location will also be analyzed for the black gill ciliate. Photo by Amy Thurman.
consistent results. It’s believed that while warm water might be a stressor that worsens the problem, it’s unlikely that it’s the trigger. Another critical question regarding black gill is the effect is has on shrimp, and in this area, research has produced some answers. Amy Fowler, with SC DNR, and Robin Frede, a College of Charleston graduate student working with Fowler, conduct research on endurance levels in shrimp with black gill. In a study using a miniature “treadmill” type device, they’ve been able to determine that control shrimp (not infected) show no signs of exhaustion after an average of 4.3 hours with some still functioning at normal capacity after as long as seven hours. Yet black gill shrimp reach exhaustion, on average, in only 2.75 hours. It’s thought that this lowered endurance in black gill shrimp is caused by dead tissue in the gills, resulting in less oxygen to the system. Much in the way excess mucus in the lungs prevents oxygen from reaching our
bloodstream. “The best comparison is to look at a smoker and a non-smoker going up a flight of stairs. At the top, the smoker is more winded,” Fowler said. What this means in terms of wild shrimp is that their endurance is compromised making them easier targets for predation. “The shrimp population is unlikely to be entirely wiped out,” says Frischer. Their lifespan is only one to two years and they repopulate quickly and in high numbers. Even if a few seasons did see decimated numbers of shrimp, the population would rebuild itself within a few years. “However,” cautions Frischer, “the bigger question is whether or not the shrimping industry could sustain itself until that happened.” Being unable to shrimp for several years, while still having to maintain and insure their vessels, would put a great financial strain on shrimpers, possibly to the point of having to cease operations. And if this occurred every few years, the impact would be magnified, which could mean the loss of a oncethriving local industry, rich in tradition and history, as well as a negative impact on local seafood markets and restaurants. Although much remains unknown about black gill in shrimp, research is ongoing. Open communication and shared knowledge and information between researchers helps advance our understanding. Getting funding to cover the costs of this research is a constant challenge, but without research, it will be impossible to determine the source of black gill, how to prevent it, or even how to live with it. 16
SouthernTidesMagazine.com November 2015
Top: Ciliate Histology – In this slide of a shrimp gill, the round purple nodes at top left are the ciliate; the brown discoloration is melanin. Image courtesy of Dr. Anna Walker, MD, Mercer University School of Medicine Right: Shrimp Treadmill – A treadmill was set up in a small aquarium to determine endurance levels of shrimp with black gill. Photo courtesy of SC DNR.
Shuck It!
Oyster Harvesting Lowcountry Style By Amy Thurman
White edges around the lip of the oyster, called frill, indicated new growth. Photo by Amy Thurman.
18
SouthernTidesMagazine.com November 2015
Top: Healthy_oyters – Frank demonstrates characteristics of a healthy oyster: pale, off-white color and floating in its own clear liquor. Photo by Amy Thurman. Bottom: Farm - One of Roberts’ bottom leases where his Single Lady oysters grow to maturity. Photo by Amy Thurman.
L
ast month Southern Tides spent time with Frank Roberts of Lady’s Island Oysters, touring his facility and learning about the process of growing oysters from spawn. This month, we returned to follow the process through to harvest. And to sample a few oysters! You couldn’t have asked for a nicer day to go for a boat ride. When we left the dock, it was sunny and a perfect 80 degrees, the tide was out and the scent of pluff mud filled the air. Perfect. We rode out first to one of Frank’s bottom leases, in a small creek where grow-out cages floated in two long rows, some above the water and empty, and others underwater and filled with bags of oysters of varying sizes. You might remember from last month, oysters spend the first six weeks of their lives in silos with mesh bottoms,
Frank’s recommended reading: A Geography of Oysters: The Connoisseur’s Guide to Oyster Eating in North America, by Rowan Jacobsen.
being tended carefully as they grow. When they reach 1000 microns in size, they’re transferred to mesh bags and placed in these cages to grow in their natural environment – tidal creeks. From that point it takes six to eight months to reach harvest size of three inches. During that time frame, they’re transferred once more to bags with larger mesh. After the oysters have reached three inches in size, they can be used to fill orders and will remain in the water until then. From there we rode up the river to another of Frank’s bottom lease areas where the focus is more on wild oyster rakes. These wild rakes may have been small existing rakes that he’s seeded and allowed to expand, or remnants of old rakes that he’s seeded over to renew. We stopped at one of these wild rakes and did a little harvesting so I could get some hands-on experience. Stopping the boat just shy of the shore, we waded in to the small beach and Frank showed me how to spot good selections. As with farmed oysters, wild oysters also have to be three inches in length to legally harvest. You look for clusters that have a couple live oysters (unopened) of
Frank’s Mignonette Recipe ½ pint rice wine vinegar ½ pint white wine Minced shallots to taste Freshly ground black pepper Salt to taste A bit of lemon zest ½ lemon, squeezed.
Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for one day. When applying Mignonette to oysters, use a cocktail spoon to avoid using too much and overpowering the natural flavor of the oyster.
legal size, then use a hammer or small hatchet to break off small oysters, often lightly covered with algae, so they can continue to grow, a process called green shelling. The algae aids in the setting process for new oysters as well, providing a textured surface to adhere to. Empty shells are also removed, which helps the rake continue to grow by providing structure, and means less weight to carry back to the dock. After gathering a bushel of wild oysters (which went home with me!), we waded back to the boat and made our way back to the dock. Once on land again, Frank and I sat in the shade of the hatchery and talked oysters. There’s a rich history associated with this shellfish. “The first colonists to become wealthy made their money in the oyster industry. In Manhattan in the early 1800s, it wasn’t hot dog carts you saw on the streets of the city,” Frank said, “it was oyster carts.” The industry continued to thrive until the Industrial Age. At that point, water pollution decimated the oyster harvest in most areas. “Now that the water’s being cleaned up, the industry, and the traditions that go with it, are making a comeback. Not one hatchery anywhere in the US could fill all of their orders this year.” About 30% of the seed oysters Frank raises are sold to other oyster farmers in North and South Carolina. Demand exceeds supply, which is a healthy position to be in.
Waterfront Dining FRESH LOCAL SEAFOOD Entertainment Most Weekends
“Are you ready to sample some oysters?” Frank asked, as he pulled out a cooler and offered me a cold beer, as well. (Oh yeah, I love my job!) Also in the cooler were several of his own “Single Lady Oysters,” named for the fact that they grow singly rather than in clusters like their wild cousins. “See this nice pale off-white color?” he asked, opening the first oyster after plucking it from ice water. “That’s a healthy oyster. And the liquor has a nice sheen to it. If you open an oyster and there’s no liquor in it, don’t eat it. If the liquor can drain out, contaminants can enter the shell.” Although he had two different sauces to compliment the oysters, I was instructed to go plain on the first one so all I would taste was the oyster. I have to confess, it’s been a while since I had raw oysters and the last time I got one that was a little less than fresh. I was a bit worried that I might not be able to eat an oyster straight out of the shell again without that memory setting off my gag reflex. Though of course I wasn’t going to admit that to Frank. But the oyster he handed me smelled clean and fresh, so I tipped it up and slid it into my mouth, straight from the shell. “You have to chew it,” he said. “Chewing these oysters really brings their sweetness out.” So I chewed, and it was absolutely delicious. The memory of that bad oyster was instantly replaced and my worry vanished. Next he suggested I try one with a homemade Mignonette,
Fish Tales 912.727.3473 Ft. McAllister Marina 912.727.2632 3203 Ft. McAllister Road Richmond Hill
FT. MCALLISTER MARINA Winter long-term dockage - $9.00/foot”
Join us for our Christmas boat parade and fireworks, Saturday, December 5. Sunset until –
a thin translucent sauce made with rice wine vinegar, white wine, diced shallots, lemon, and freshly ground black pepper. I’ve never eaten anything but cocktail sauce on oysters, so wasn’t sure what to expect, but it smelled wonderful and it definitely complimented the oyster even
better than cocktail sauce. We wrapped up the day sipping cold beer and eating cold oysters. I can honestly say they were the best oysters I’ve ever eaten. Many thanks to Frank Roberts for the education and the experience.
Top: Oyster Picking – Southern Tides editor Amy Thurman putting Frank’s instruction into practice as she removes immature oysters and excess shell from a cluster. Photo by Frank Roberts. Bottom: Salinity Test – Roberts tests the water salinity, which on this day was 20 parts per thousand (PPT) after heavy rains and flooding further inland. 30 PPT is the average salinity in his bottom lease areas under normal conditions. Photo by Amy Thurman.
GEORGIAʼS FIRST OYSTER HATCHERY THE PROJECT Research Laboratory at the University of Georgia Marine Extension and Georgia Sea hatchery on Skidaway Island.
BY THE NUMBERS 2015
Spat Production: 100,000–500,000 Estimated At-Dock Value: $75,000
2016
Spat Production: 1–2 million Estimated At-Dock Value: $375,000
The hatchery will provide growers with a stable supply of oyster spat as well as technical guidance for a sustainable harvest of single oysters.
2018 THE NATURAL LIFE CYCLE OF AN OYSTER
trochophore fertilized egg
veliger
eggs sperm
pediveliger
adult oysters
oyster spat
Spat Production: 5–8 million Estimated At-Dock Value: $1.6 million
Did You Know? Sharks are found throughout the world’s oceans from the Arctic to the Tropics! • Shark skeletons are made of cartilage, not bone, which makes them lighter. • Sharks have built in conveyor belts of teeth to replace old or broken ones. • Shark skin is made up of dermal denticles which are very similar to teeth. • Sharks have five heightened senses: smell, sight, hearing, touch and electrical sensors. • Juvenile sharks are called pups. The temperate waters of coastal South Carolina and Georgia are home to many shark species including Blacktips, Hammerheads, Tigers and Lemons. Our waters are used in many different ways by each species. The tidal rivers and creeks are the perfect environment for sharks to feed, give birth and for juveniles to mature. There is a lot of research being conducted on sharks in our area including tagging studies! You can go online to Ocearch.com to track some of the “regulars.”
We Provide Loaner Cars! •Located in scenic and historic Isle of Hope
• New water, electric, fuel, and pump-out systems • High-speed Wi-Fi and TV available at every slip • Laundry facilities on premises, bicycles, Wall Street Journal, and more! • 4000 feet of concrete floating docks (including 600 feet of deep-water face docks)
Large yachts up to 220 feet and transient boaters welcome!
Shark facts provided by Naturalist Rachel Jones, Port Royal Sound Foundation Image by Duane Raver, provided by GADNR
(912) 354-8187 50 Bluff Drive Savannah VHF Channel 16
The Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center Celebrates its First Birthday
“I
By Dorothy Ingram
remember that call!” The shout comes from the office of Alicia Taylor, Director of Development for the Port Royal Sound Foundation. I’m visiting the Maritime Center to speak with Foundation Director Jody Hayward, and I’ve mentioned a call I made to the Center about a year ago, hoping they could rescue a stranded pelican I’d spotted beside the road just south of the Broad River bridge. I wasn’t sure they’d remember, but Jody recalls the incident with a laugh. “I jumped in the truck thinking to myself, ‘What am I going to do with a pelican? I don’t have enough exhibit space as it is!’” Jody says she never found the pelican, but she and Alicia have retold the story a number of times, with reference to the unorthodox situations they’ve faced during the first year since the Port Royal Foundation Maritime Center opened as a premier community resource for environmental education showcasing the Port Royal Sound Area. As newcomers to the South Carolina lowcountry, my husband and I have driven countless times past the old Lemon Island Marina, nestled at the base of the Chechessee River bridge. We’ve watched the deserted building’s transformation from a former bait and seafood shop and marina to a burgeoning Maritime Center, showcasing the ecology, art, history and culture of the Port Royal Sound watershed, which reaches inland for 20 miles and covers about 1600 square miles of land, marsh, and rivers. A different sort of craft pulls up to the docks and into the parking lot these days: carloads as well as boatloads of students, naturalists, locals, and tourists, eager to learn about the Sound and the diverse forms of life and possibilities that it holds. “If the schools aren’t using the Port Royal Sound as a classroom, they’re missing out,” Hayward remarks as she walks me through the Center, a treasure trove of galleries and exhibits provided by Foundation partners and sponsors. The ceiling of the main exhibit hall immediately catches my eye: across the deep blue span float life size models of marine 24
SouthernTidesMagazine.com November 2015
Oyster Room. Photo by Dorothy Ingram
SouthernTidesMagazine.com November 2015 25
animals, while a “fish talk” video display, a moon and tides exhibit, an aquarium, and the new “Sharks of Port Royal Sound” diorama invite me to explore the underwater mysteries of the Sound that covers most of Beaufort County. On one end of the main hall is a rotating exhibit room. Here, work completed in the waters surrounding the Maritime Center by a Savannah College of Art and Design professor is exhibited through the end of the year. Across the hall is the “oyster room,” celebrating the cultural history of the oyster harvesting, crabbing, and shrimping communities of Beaufort County. On the floor of the “touch tank” room stand waist-high tanks of blue crabs, fish, and a growing collection of diverse marine creatures. In a small glass tank, a baby horseshoe crab smaller than a fingernail flips its tail in a furious struggle to right itself. As we walk, Jody talks to me about the vision that drives the Port Royal Sound Foundation to educate citizens and instill in them an appreciation for all that the Sound has to offer, so they’ll want to protect it. “Our goal is to be a resource for residents and visitors, with a focus on education and research,” Jody tells me. “We are located in the center of Beaufort County, so we belong to everyone. We want to promote the work that our partners are doing in and around the Port Royal Sound.” To accomplish these goals, the Center partners with groups like the Beaufort Open Land Trust, the Waddell Mariculture Center, and the 26
SouthernTidesMagazine.com November 2015
Left Top: Striped burrfish in tank room. Photo by Dorothy Ingram. Left Bottom: Naturalist Chris Kehrer with crab trap on docks. Photo by Dorothy Ingram. Right: Diamondback terrapin in tank room. Photo by Dorothy Ingram.
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and the YMCA, which provides a boating program for “kids that include some who have never even been in a boat before!” Education partners include the University of South Carolina at Beaufort, the LowCountry Institute, and the Beaufort County Schools. In addition to special events and exhibits, Jody says, the Center hosts birding classes, lecture series, storytime for preschoolers, kayak tours, and eco boat excursions. In the gift shop, I pick up a book entitled, River of Words: Musings on Port Royal Sound Through Poetry and Art, produced by the students of the Beaufort County School District. I am stunned. Remarkable in its sophistication, this book convinces me that these programs and partnerships are achieving the goals of the Foundation and of the Maritime Center. Hayward exudes enthusiasm as she looks towards the future, her voice rising with excitement as she describes the afternoon when a group of children saw both a sea turtle and a
dolphin during an eco boat tour of the Sound. “People don’t expect to spot sea turtles in the Sound, but that’s ocean water out there!” she exclaims. “It’s a joy to work here.” For the Center’s success in its first year of existence, Hayward credits the Foundation’s strong board of directors, her small but dedicated team of office staff and naturalists, and the corps of some 100 volunteers who support the Center as docents, “tank team” members, office assistants, and all around spokespersons for the Center. For more information on the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center and its First Birthday Party on Saturday, November 14, visit the PRSF website at www.portroyalsoundfoundation.org or call 843-654-7774.
SouthernTidesMagazine.com November 2015 27
05
Birding for Beginners Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Structured exclusively for beginners, includes a classroom review of different water birds followed by an outdoor experience at Widgeon Point. $10/ person, reservations required. Call (843) 645-7774 or visit www.portroyalsoundfoundation. comorgportroyalsoundfoundation.org
Calendar of Events:
07 07
Clam Jam hosted by the Altamaha Riverkeeper, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pine Marsh Farm, Brunswick, GA. Local clams and oysters, Dr. Neal’s famous smoked butts, music by Kellie Parr, silent and live auctions. Call Altamaha Riverkeeper for more information (478) 845-5370
Dolphins & Desserts Social, hosted by The Dolphin Project, 6:30 p.m. Richmond Hill History Museum. Showing “Dolphin Drama,” filmed in coastal Georgia; museum tour; serving chili, hors d’oeuvres, beverages and dessert. $10 per person, all ages welcome. Please RSVP to thedolphinproject@ gmail.com.
Ongoing Ongoing Inner Sound: Works by Henry Dean Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center. A solo exhibit by artist and SCAD professor Henry Dean. Panels “painted” by tides over a 2-month period. For more information call (843) 645-7774 or visit www.portroyalsoundfoundation. org.
Classrooms on a Boat with Captain Amber of Marshland Adventures, Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center. 1st and 3rd Saturdays, October and November. Explore the Lowcountry by water on a fun, learning cruise. Trips depart at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Reservations required, call (843) 645-7774.
07
Roast on the River, hosted by Savannah Riverkeeper, 6:00 p.m. Hogans’ Marina, Wilmington Island. Roasted oysters, chili, beverages, silent auction. $35/person or $50/couple. For more info visit www. savannahriverkeeper. org or email info@ savannahriverkeeper.org
Ongoing
Tuesday Talks, hosted by the Port Royal Sound Foundation, Beaufort, SC. Every Tuesday, 4 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Enjoy learning with local naturalists, educators, authors, and more in these informal and fun sessions. Visit www.portroyalsoundfoundation.org/ calendar/ for more information on speakers and tickets, or call (843) 645-7774.
November 14
Dolphin Training Workshop, hosted by The Dolphin Project, 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 P.m. Richmond Hill Library. Learn dolphin habits and behaviors as well as how to conduct photo-ID research. For more information, visit www. thedolphinproject. com or email thedolphinproject@ gmail.com.
14
Maritime Center Birthday Celebration Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Lemon Island. The Center is celebrating its first year with a day of special guests and free activities, including arts and crafts, live animals, and demonstrations. Food and fun for all ages! For more information call (843) 645-7774 or visit www. portroyalsoundfoundation.org
19
General Birding Class Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This class is for birders of all levels. Meet at the Maritime center to head to Widgeon Point for a hike. $10/person, reservations required. Call (843) 645-7774 or visit www.portroyalsoundfoundation.org
Ongoing Ongoing
Gatorology 101 an all-thingsalligator class. Join Jekyll Island wildlife researchers for this handson experience and learn about the American alligator. Tuesdays and Sundays, 11:00 a.m. at the Skeet House on Jekyll Island. For tickets or more information visit arestravel. com/6178_attraction-tickets_a1303. html or call (877) 4-Jekyll
From Bankers to Presidents, the Galletini Exhibit at Ships of the Sea Museum. The late Captain Joseph Galletini, of Wilmington Island, carved ship models for Presidents Roosevelt and Kennedy. The John F. Kennedy model and other selected works will be on display through December 31. Visit the museum at 41 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Savannah. For more information, visit shipsofthesea.org or call (912) 232-1511.
05
December
Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworksat Ft. McAllister Marina and Fish Tales Restaurant. Kick off the holidays with a bang! Decorate your boat and participate in our lighted parade or just come by for fireworks and live music. 3203 Fort McAllister Rd., Richmond Hill. For more information, call (912) 727-2632 or (912) 727-3473.
What’s In A Name? By Captain J. Gary “Gator” Hill
What’s in a name? According to The Bard, a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Our parents might tell us not to dishonor the family name. However, we all know that the names of streets and places we live are generally named for a reason, particularly in historical areas like the lowcountry. So let’s examine a few names we are all familiar with, the first being Daufuskie Island. When I first heard of this little barrier island just across the Calibogue Sound from Hilton Head, I was curious as to the origin of the name. The first thing I was told was it’s from the Gullah patois “Dah Fust Caye” or “the first cay or key” (island) north of Savannah, or the first island in South Carolina going north. Sounded about right to me, and for a while I believed this to be fact. Then I learned the Island had carried that name long before the Gullah culture came to be, which was after the Civil War. I then figured a little research was in order, so off to Google I went, and what I found was much different. Turns out the word comes from the Creek language, a compound word, “Daufa” meaning feather and “Fuskie” meaning sharp or pointed. The two words eventually became Daufuskie, pronounced Duh Fuss Key, meaning “pointed feather” which is the general shape of the island. Now we move down the coast a few miles to Tybee Island. We think of this as Savannah’s
beach, but this island also was named hundreds of years ago. Once again we look back to Native Americans, this time the Euchee Indians, part of the huge Creek Nation that extended over much of the lowcountry and as far west as Alabama. Tybee translates literally from “Salt.” When you visit, you are visiting Salt Island. Why would they name the island after salt? Because it was a precious commodity used for curing hides, preserving meats and as a trade good. The word salt was used in many ancient names dating back to the Bronze Age such as, the Via Salaria, in Italy. The word “salary” comes from the Latin base word for salt, and was often used to pay Roman Legionaires, since it was literally worth its weight in gold and is where the expression that a person is “worth his salt” comes from. Even the city of Salzburg, the “City of Salt” owes its name to this vital mineral. Let’s drift inland, up the Savannah River, to the city of Savannah itself. Like the riddle of the chicken and the egg, which came first, the city or the river? Several different origins are given, depending on who you ask, one being that the name was copied from the savannahs of the African continent, and with lush green marshes we can see the visual similarities. Another more colorful and fanciful anecdote was that a young girl named Anna fell into the swift current of the river and her mother, fearing the child would drown, ran along the banks yelling, “Save Anna, Save Anna!” Many such stories like this work their way into our oral histories and are often interwoven with the truth. However, by the time Oglethorpe settled on the high bluffs, the river already had the name Savana taken from the Savana tribe of the Shawnee which had settled upriver near present day Augusta. A drive through the South Carolina and Georgia lowcountry will often inundate us with names such as Coosawatchie, Yemassee, Awendaw, Wassaw, Altamaha, Ogeechee, and many more. So the next time someone tells you the name of such and such place, do a little fact checking, you might be surprised where the name is truly derived from.
Please Join Altamaha Riverkeeper for
Clam Jam 2015
Celebrating the Altamaha Delta and Coast
Guest Speaker
Senator William Ligon
Saturday November 7, 2015 from 4:00-7:00pm $100 PER PERSON
Please RSVP by November 3
Pine Marsh Farm Brunswick, GA
Ali-Gaitor Marine Works Fiberglass repair Gel Coat repair
Multi-surface reconditioning, shrink wrap, new long-term aluminum/glass coatings
Look for us on Instagram & Facebook!
Garmin dealer/certified installers, Raymarine certified installers, new and used electronics
maricomnavigation@comcast.net