In what may very well be a case of water pollution and/or ocean acidification, South Carolina’s supply of healthy oysters have been depleting for the last 20 years.
DHEC has already closed about 1/3 of the state’s 3,000 acres of oyster beds to harvesting because of pollution.
On top of that, commercial fishermen take about 100,000 bushels a year, SCDNR biologist and SCORE manager, Nancy Hadley said. SCDNR usually replants about 1/2 that much, using revenues from saltwater fishing licenses and volunteer help through SCORE (the South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement Program), but it’s necessary to do this and more to help oysters thrive in nature.
June 5, 2009
Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival 2009
This year’s event features an assortment of unique handmade arts & crafts, paintings, live performances, and documentary films. We can enjoy two days of entertainment filled with:
- gospel songs and praise dance,
- basket-making demonstrations,
- story-telling & Gullah Geechee skits, and
- the Adande African Drummers and Dancers.
And of course, there is also going to be good food: a variety of authentic Gullah cuisine, classic barbeque, fish, chicken and beverages offered for sale by more than 15 Lowcountry restaurants and food vendors.
Among other family friendly activities, there will be a water-slide for the kids.
If you’d like to read up on this fascinating culture, there will be publications on Lowcountry Gullah Geechee history, fiction, and cookbooks available for sale, and other various merchandise as well:
The event features fire roasted oysters, local shrimp, clams and down home BBQ.
Entertainment includes live music from Plane Jane, one of the Carolina’s best party bands.
Sponsors are:
- Firefly Vodka,
- Pabst Blue Ribbon,
- SweetWater Brewing Company, and
- Yuengling.
Admission is $6 at the door, and it’s a rain or shine event.
February 26, 2009
SPA water management steps needed
The SPA’s water management
skills will help the
environment considerably.
Credit: Pledge for Growth
The SPA’s Pledge for Growth program is finally moving forward with the goal of improving air quality, saving fuel costs, and reducing emissions across their domain.
Some water management steps the SPA is taking include:
- The SPA is donating up to $1 million for a five-year agreement with Wildlife Trust to protect the Northern right whale.
- The Port is contributing $1 million to restore and enhance more than five acres of self-sustaining oyster reefs in and around Charleston Harbor. This project is being coordinated through SCDNR’s South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement Program (SCORE).
