The S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism issued a statement in its most recent newsletter saying “experts continue to predict little chance for the ongoing leak to present a future problem for the South Carolina coast. For their predictions to change, a significant alteration in the Gulf currents would need to occur.”

Hamilton Davis, energy and climate director for the Coastal Conservation League, said his group is encouraged that the state’s General Assembly has responded to the possible threat, but also anticipates lobbying this year to get legislation passed preventing the oil industry from operating near South Carolina – and encouraging the federal government to do the same.

So, if you’re planning a vacation to Charleston, come on down, we’d love to see you again, and of course, stop by Shem Creek for the freshest seafood in town!

From the Shem Creek blog.

Southern hospitality and oil don’t mix

Like every other spring, manatees begin their slow migration up the coast since our water temperatures rise into the upper 60s. This timeframe may be shifted a little going forward due to global warming’s effect on ocean temperatures, so be aware of updates.

SCDNR has several tidbits of information about manatees on their website, and if you do happen to spot one, they encourage you to file a report on their Manatees in South Carolina web page.

Here are some other ways we can help protect manatees:

1. Look around for manatees before cranking your boat’s motor.
2. Never pursue, harass or play with manatees. It is bad for the manatees and is illegal.
3. Please heed “slow speed,” “no wake” and manatee warning signs, especially around docks.
4. Wear polarized sunglasses to reduce glare, making it easier to spot manatees below the surface.
5. Watch for large swirls in the water called footprints that may be caused by manatees diving away from the boat.
6. Use caution when navigating in shallow water and along the edge of a marsh. Manatees cannot dive away from boats in these areas.
7. Dock owners should never feed manatees or give them fresh water. This could teach the animals to approach docks, putting them at greater risk of a boat strike, and it is illegal.

UPDATE 7/20/10: Here’s a short video Dr. Ryan T Kendall shot of some manatees swimming by the boat right here in Shem Creek this past spring:

And like clockwork, manatees have been spotted in Shem Creek again; just yesterday:

“We have seen a lot of manatees inside the creek, out in the harbor, on the backside of Crab Bank Island, they do a lot of feeding back there” – Ryan Sechrist, Nature Adventures Outfitters kayak guide.

But like dolphins, manatees shouldn’t be approached by humans, whether for feeding, petting, or otherwise (unless you’re at Sea World).

“The numbers have been declining relatively. You see their backs and almost all of them are scarred by boat interactions, so the more they see humans not associated with food and comfort, the better it is for their survival,” – Dr. Shane Boylan explained, a SC Aquarium veterinarian.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Spring time means it’s manatee season off SC’s coast

When I read this, the first thing I thought of was The Edge of America, a.k.a. Folly Beach. We all know about their history with erosion, I’m just not sure whether or not they fit the bill here. Anyway, it’s something the local officials may want to look into.

Here’s information on NOAA’s Coastal and Marine Habitat Restoration Projects”, and of course, the Administration’s Recovery.gov, which will feature information on how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is working, tools to help you hold the government accountable, and up-to-date data on the expenditure of funds.

To ensure relevance, readiness and accountability, the solicitation requires that projects be “shovel-ready”.

From the Shem Creek blog.

NOAA ready to hand out money for restoration projects

“…the study will complement an existing study currently being performed by FEMA which focuses on the effect of climate change on the National Flood Insurance Program.” – Phil May

According to FEMA Regional Administrator Phil May, the information and results from this study may help formulate strategies to deal with potential effects of sea level rise on the nation’s coast.

“North Carolina has been very proactive in implementing and improving upon coastal zone management activities and policies,” May said.

“Although the study is focused on just the state of North Carolina, the results of the study should be applicable to other coastal states as well.”

From the Shem Creek blog.

FEMA Grants $5 Million For Sea Level Rise Study

The Act passing is a win-win for everybody: it not only keeps us at the forefront of understanding threats to the ocean and finding new ways to address emerging problems, but also promotes knowledge of how CO2 absorption is affecting ocean ecosystems, protects important coastal and estuarine areas that are under threat, and it improves exploration, research, mapping & observation.

“This wise decision could not have come a moment sooner… These challenges can only be solved if scientists and ocean experts have the information they need to intelligently inform their decisions.” – Laura Burton Capps, Ocean Conservancy Sen. VP

1. The Ocean and Coastal Exploration and NOAA Act will authorize the National Ocean Exploration Program, National Undersea Research Program, and the Integrated Ocean and Coastal Mapping Program within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to increase scientific knowledge for the management, use and preservation of oceanic, coastal and Great Lake resources.
2. The Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act will authorize the establishment of an integrated system of coastal and ocean observations for the nation’s coasts, oceans and Great Lakes.
3. The Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act will authorize a coordinated federal research program on ocean acidification.
4. The Coastal and Estuarine Land Protection Act will authorize funding for a program to protect important coastal and estuarine areas that have significant conservation, recreation, ecological, historical, aesthetic, or watershed protection values, and that are threatened by conversion to other uses.

Also, checkout International Ocean Cleanup

From the Shem Creek blog.

Passed bill protects climate industry demands

Well, the National Guard has teamed up with SCDNR to create underwater habitats for sea creatures and fish – a sure shot haven for offshore fisherman no doubt.

SCDNR’s site has an image of the current reef sites, structures and GPS coordinates, used by the $16M/year offshore fishing industry off SC.

Here’s a short video of 45 artificial reefs, including ‘concrete cones’, off our coast:

*UPDATE 12/14/10: Artificial reef-building wastes money

From the Shem Creek blog.

Reef-building off South Carolina’s coast