Southern Tides November 2022

Southern T ides

all about the water

NOVEMber 2022

Crew PUBLISHER/EDITOR

Amy Thurman amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

ASSISTANT EDITOR Neva Parsons neva@southerntidesmagazine.com

CONSULTING NATURALIST

John "Crawfish" Crawford crawfish@uga.edu

THE BITTER END COLUMNIST

Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill theoriginalcaptaingator@gmail.com

THE RIVERKEEPER REPORT Meaghan Gerard meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

FISHING WITH CAPTAIN JAY

Captain Jay Cranford gacharterfishing@gmail.com

Contributors

Laurie Lohne Laurie Lohne Photography Nick Riccio, Jr. Wildlife Photographer

Leigh Beeson & Peter Frey. University of Georgia Dory Ingram. Contributing Writer Ethan Hatchett GADNR Wildlife Resources Division

Copyright © 2015-2022

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. (912) 484-3611 info@southerntidesmagazine.com www.SouthernTidesMagazine.com Visit us on social media: www.issuu.com/SouthernTidesMagazine.com Facebook.com/southern-tides-magazine

Southern Tides Magazine is printed by Walton Press, Monroe, Ga.

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Reader Photos: To submit you photos, visit www.flickr.com/groups/ southerntides/ Three will be selected each month.

Image credits

Top: Oysters Don-afella, by Jamee Barnard Center: Oyster clusters, by Amy Thurman Left: Snowy egret, by Nick Riccio, Jr.

About the Cover:

Photo by Laurie Lohne Photography

While I didn’t actually plan on most of this issue being about oysters, I’m happy it turned out this way! After all, these delicious tidbits are one of the best things about fall and winter – along with good fishing, the end of mosquito and gnat seasons, not being roasted like a turkey, and, of course, football.

OYSTERS AND MORE

And because they’re so tasty, these mollusks have become part of our coastal culture, going back countless generations. From Native American shell rings dating back thousands of years on through the centuries to tabby construction in the early days of the colony, from canning facilities that provided jobs in the early and mid-20th century to modern day oyster farming and the rebuilding of oyster reefs through installations of living shorelines, oysters have always played a role in life in coastal Georgia.

Today, many of us simply enjoy eating them, whether in small batches made up with a favorite recipe, or by the bushel at oyster roasts with friends old and new. We do love our oysters!

In this issue, Captain Jay answers some questions about harvesting for newcomers to the coast (along with a favorite recipe), Neva has compiled some interesting facts about Eastern oysters in Did You Know?, my dear friends Jamee and Don share a favorite recipe in Taste of the Tides, and our feature article shares an update about Georgia’s growing oyster mariculture program.

I’d also like to remind all of you to please recycle your oyster shells. They’re used by both DNR and the UGA Shellfish Lab in restoring existing reefs and creating new ones – which benefit us all, not only in providing new sources of one of our favorite delicacies, but also in cleaner water.

OYSTER SHELL RECYCLING

Also in this issue, contributor Dory Ingram shares a new app that allows us to report wildlife impacted by marine debris. Tangled in Trash, a NOAA project, is a useful tool in helping save and protect marine species. Read about it on page 17 and please download the app. You can make a difference.

Fishermen, you spoke and the DNR listened. You may remember the public comment period a couple months ago regarding redfish rule changes. Due to the 1,300 responses, the DNR has postponed changes until they can review the comments. See more on page 20.

There’s plenty more in this issue and we hope you enjoy it all! Let us hear from you!

I wanted to remind everyone to please submit your photos on the Southern Tides Flickr page. We’re planning a section for reader photos, but you have to send them before we can get it started! Visit www. flickr.com/groups/southerntides/ to upload your images.

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving this month and that you take time each day, not just on the holiday, to be thankful for the good in your lives.

See you out there!

Amy Thurman

Editor in Chief

amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

Oyster reefs serve as habitat for marine life, they restore and protect shorelines from erosion, and are critical to our coastal ecosystems. When dropping off oyster shells, please be sure not to include trash such as napkins or cracker wrappers, and do not leave behind bags or other carrying devices. Drop off locations include: Please also do not attempt to recycle the shells yourself by placing them in the water or on the bank − oyster shells must first be quarantined and cured before being used to construct reefs and oyster banks.

• DNR Coastal Resources Headquarters, 1 Conservation Way, Brunswick

• Champney Boat Ramp, Hwy 17, just south of Darien

• UGA Shellfish Lab, 10 Ocean Circle, Savannah

The oyster shell recycling program is undergoing some changes. More locations are forthcoming and Southern Tides will share the information when it becomes available. In the meantime, you can learn more by visiting gacoast.uga.edu/education/adult-education/ oyster-restoration/ or call (912) 598-2348 etc. 205.

Readers! Submit your photos, like this one by Nick Riccio, Jr., a ruddy turnstone taken on Jeyll.

How do you hunt for oysters?

First, you must know the legal areas and dates for public harvest (see info and link near end). In those designated areas you can find oysters scattered around flats and creek banks well below the high-tide line.

When is the best time to harvest oysters?

The best time to harvest oysters is during the day when the tide is lower than two feet. This makes it easier to find oyster reefs, and to remove clusters. Pay attention to water conditions so you don't become trapped as the tide goes out or comes back in.

Oyster Riverfellas

Fishing Captain Jay WITH

IT'S OYSTER SEASON!

By Captain Jay Cranford www.coastalgafishing.com

How do you store oysters?

Oysters must be stored below 40 degrees, kept damp, and have plenty of air circulation. If you store oysters on ice, they must be kept out of the water.

How do you eat them?

Steam and shuck Georgia oysters. Place the meat in a bowl with some of the juice and save the shells. Wash and clean the shells and place on large baking pan. Layer spinach leaves on shells then place an oyster on top of spinach. Top with either Parmesan or pepper jack cheese then top with a spoonful of oyster juice and diced jalapeños. Put in broiler till cheese melts and browns. Then enjoy!

Due to the lack of naturally occurring rock, oysters in Georgia grow in clusters and must be pried loose with a tool, such as a screwdriver, painter's spatula, or small crowbar or hammer. Their shells can be razor-sharp, so wear a pair of gloves both while harvesting and while shucking. Oysters much be at least three inches in length from hinge to mouth, unless a smaller oyster can’t be removed from the legal oyster without destroying it. You should also check for and remove small seed oysters that may be attached to adult oysters.

Are oysters safe to eat?

If the shell is slightly open, tap the shell. If it closes, the oyster is still alive and breathing. A shell that doesn't close (or one gaping open) is dead and you shouldn’t eat it.

As to Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp), the bacteria that occurs in shellfish, you should be safe during months when the water temps are cooler (below 81 degrees) and if the oysters are kept in temps below 40 degrees prior to cooking.

Should you wash oysters?

Oysters can be very muddy. If you’re planning a recipe that needs the natural brine in an oyster, you can gently clean them in the sink with a toothbrush to remove mud and sand. If you’re preparing a bushel or more, such as for an oyster roast, you should spray them down with a hose or pressure washer.

Is it safe to collect shellfish outside of designated harvest areas? No, it is not safe to collect shellfish, especially bivalves (mussels, oysters, clams, etc.), outside of these areas as the water quality is not monitored by the DNR and therefore the safety of your harvest is questionable.

There are many great recipes for oysters including Oysters Rockefeller, oyster stew, steamed oysters, and of course, eating them raw. My favorite recipe is one that our dear friends Joe and Nancy Cadle make at our get togethers that Nancy calls "Oyster Riverfellas." They’re delicious! See the recipe at left.

More Information

Oysters and clams can only be collected from approved recreational harvest areas and a Georgia Fishing License and Saltwater Information Program (SIP) Permit is required. For harvest areas, limits and more information visit coastalgadnr.org/ approvedrecharvestareas

Be a good steward of our waters, don't litter and only keep what you plan to eat. There will be more opportunities the next time you go. Don't wish ... let's go fish!

[Please recycle your oyster shells! More information on page 7.]

gacharterfishing@gmail.com • www.coastalgafishing.com/

Captain Jay has over 20 years experience fishing the Georgia coast. He's passionate about fishing and enjoys sharing his knowledge and experience with you!

By Janet Stewart and Nancy Cadle

Photo by Amy Thurman

Taste of the Tides

OYSTERS "DON-AFELLA"

Dear friends of Southern Tides, Don Crum and Jamee Barnard, of Liberty County, shared this recipe for a tasty way to prepare oysters. The picture shows oysters from North Carolina, but can be made with any you prefer.

INGREDIENTS

Raw, unshucked oysters (12 per person) Baby spinach leaves, diced Green onion stems, diced Crumbled bacon (never, ever use fake!)

7 Cheese Italian Blend shredded cheese

DIRECTIONS

• Shuck raw oysters, using care to retain as much natural brine (juice) as possible.

• Leave oyster in shell. (Rock salt on a baking sheet will help stabilize oysters while preparing, or use a cooling rack for baked goods.)

• Sprinkle a pinch of diced spinach on top of each oyster

If using Georgia clusters, try to select those with large flat shells. Do

• Sprinkle each oyster with crumbled bacon, diced green onions, and shredded cheese.

• These oysters can be cooked on the grill for a good smokey flavor, or in the oven for convenience. If cooking on grill, set shells directly on grate and close lid. Cook just long enough to melt cheese, which will heat oyster without over-cooking it. If cooking in oven, set temp to 400 and place shells on cookie sheet to avoid drips (rock salt can be left in pan, won't impact flavor). Still just cook long enough to melt cheese, unless you prefer your oysters cooked more.

According to Don and Jamee, these go great on a saltine cracker with a dash of Crystal hot sauce.

The Pearl on the Georgia Coast

By Leigh Beeson

Photos by Peter Frey Originally published by University of Georgia

I

t was a pretty summer day on the Georgia coast. Sunny, with just enough cloud cover that it wasn’t yet stiflingly hot. But the waters were rougher than expected, tossing the researchers around in the skiff like rag dolls.

They’re heading to Romerly Marsh Creek, a site about five miles off the University of Georgia’s Skidaway Island campus and a couple dozen miles southeast of Savannah.

Once the tide recedes, they hop out of the boat—and instantly sink knee deep in the muck. They expected this. But the feeling of mud oozing into work boots or beat-up old sneakers is a sensation that just can’t be described in words. It’s something you have to feel.

But for Tom Bliss, the director of UGA’s Shellfish Research Laboratory, it’s just another Thursday.

Bliss joined Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant in 2006, after working on numerous fisheries and wildlife management research projects on the west coast and completing a master’s degree on ring-necked pheasants in Austria.

These days he focuses on something else entirely: oysters. More specifically, Georgia oysters and how to revitalize the state’s oncethriving industry.

A Once-Booming Oyster Industry

Native Americans began harvesting and eating oysters thousands of years ago. The marketing and sales of oysters in the British colonies dates back to around the 1600s. The state of Georgia didn’t catch on to the industry until nearly 300 years later.

“Fishermen overharvested the areas up North,” Bliss says. “You can track how oystering marched down the East Coast as they overharvested all the way down.”

Eventually, Georgia became the prime spot for oyster harvests in the early 1900s. At its heyday, the state harvested 8 million pounds of oyster meat each year.

But by the 1930s, overharvesting and environmental degradation had taken its toll on Georgia waters. And the decreased demand for oysters, coupled with increased labor costs, hit the coast hard.

The canneries that relied so heavily on Georgia’s shellfish shuttered. The shucking houses up and down the state’s coast followed. An entire fishing culture collapsed.

But all hope wasn’t lost.

Enough of the ecosystem remained intact to support the small population of oysters that survived.

“Georgia is lucky because we have so many twists and turns and deep estuaries in our waterways that although they overfished areas, they didn’t get to all of it,” Bliss says.

Another geographic feature, Georgia’s warmer waters, helped the under-the-radar oyster population bounce back more quickly than it would in the Northeast.

“After the ’60s when harvests pretty much stopped, oysters were

able to rebound, and now this area is one of the healthiest wild populations,” Bliss says. “We got saved by biology.”

Nature’s Bad Weather Buffer

Bliss and John Pelli, an aquaculture extension agent based at UGA’s Skidaway campus, drag bags upon bags of oyster shells from the boat onto the edge of the creek. Right now, the bagged shell look a bit out of place, but once the tide rolls in, the bags will be submerged by a couple of feet of water.

As the summer progresses, wild oysters will release their offspring in larval form. The baby oysters then find a place to settle, permanently attaching themselves to a hard surface. Frequently, they cling to older oyster shells, which creates the giant, tight clumps of oysters that characterize the Georgia coast.

The shells Bliss and Pelli are tossing into the shallow waters are part of a larger project between the university and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to determine the best means of rebuilding these natural living shorelines.

The oysters are pretty good at rebuilding on their own. But the researchers are hoping to help give them a head start by providing the perfect place for larva to cement themselves.

As the baby oysters grow, they’ll form large clumps that are difficult to pry apart with your bare hands.

Over time, the oysters build reefs that protect Georgia’s salt marsh estuaries from adverse weather and tides, buffering wave energy and guarding against erosion. They also provide an enticing habitat for fish, clams, and crabs. Because of the variety of aquatic life, fishermen are drawn to the reefs as well.

The reefs also improve water quality. But over the years, the reefs were degraded and sometimes even removed entirely, leaving the shoreline vulnerable.

The researchers will venture out again in a few weeks with more shells. But those will already have baby oysters, or spat, attached to the shells. In theory, putting spat on shells could jumpstart the reef formation process. If it works, coastal counties would no longer be limited to restoring reefs during the shellfish’s narrow summer spawning season.

Bliss and Pelli place bags of oyster shells at a reef research site in Chatham County.

A Shellfish Makeover

While wild oysters may help rebuild Georgia’s reefs, they have limited appeal for consumers.

“Our wild oysters that grow out there are good for the shucking market, an oyster roast, or canning,” says Mark Risse, director of Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant and Georgia Power Professor of Water Policy. “There isn’t much consumer preference for them because they’re long, skinny shells with sharp edges. If you went to a grocery store or restaurant and asked for a dozen oysters, you wouldn’t want them to give you one big clump of oysters.”

Still, Justin Manley, a commercial fisherman with aquaculture research experience, saw an opportunity to sell locally farmed oysters to Savannah restaurants. He founded Spat King Oysters in 2011 and went to work trying to raise Georgia oysters in a more aesthetically pleasing way.

Of course, there was a catch.

At the time, Georgia didn’t allow spat to be imported from other states, so Manley had to produce his own seed in order to farm, something that took considerable time and effort.

Finding a Balance Between Industry and Nature

Founded in 2015, the Shellfish Research Laboratory’s hatchery is a collaborative effort that includes Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Georgia Shellfish Growers Association. The hatchery produces between 5 and 7 million spat per year, with a potential future value of more than $1 million in annual sales on the half shell market.

It’s a good start for the relatively small operation, but the dream is to restore a thriving Georgia oyster industry—one that can sustain itself and make the commercial arm of UGA’s hatchery obsolete.

Bliss would like to see more fishermen get into the oyster farming game as a counterbalance to their current operations as well, whether they’re catching fish or clamming. Farming oysters on the side could help them withstand the kind of market swings that see clams drop to as low as 10 cents apiece.

“If you haven’t planned for that, it has wiped people out,” Bliss says. “Hopefully, the oysters can give that balance between different shellfish and help them weather the storm. Market demand for oysters has stayed high, even coming out of the pandemic. There’s good potential that farmers should do fine.”

So Manley put PVC pipes out in the marshes, where they’d be covered in spat during spawning season. He brought the sticks back in, removed the spat, sorted them by size, and maintained them in a homemade nursery. Growing the oysters made it possible to tailor the shapes of the oyster shells to make them resemble the famous oysters served on the half shell in so many high-end restaurants.

Spat King was a successful, if short-lived, venture. After four years, the state’s first oyster farmer wanted out.

“You know how you have to work all the bugs out of a vehicle before the next person buys it?” says Manley, who is now pursuing a doctoral degree in marine sciences from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences.

“I was the first edition, and there were plenty of bugs.”

But those bugs got Manley talking with other industry folks and with university researchers about how the university could support this burgeoning industry’s need for oyster spat.

Those conversations led to the creation of the state’s first oyster hatchery at UGA’s Skidaway Island campus. It also led to a gig for Manley to get back in the business of baby oysters as the hatchery’s manager.

While it’s unlikely the state will see the intense demand for wildharvested oysters from the canning industry again, the growing market for farmed Georgia oysters offers a new frontier for coastal fishermen. Georgia’s less populated coast and abundant clean water make the state an ideal location for increased oyster farming. Bliss and his team have seen significant interest from new farmers wanting to start operations in Georgia, as well as growers from other areas wanting to move their operations here.

Farming oysters also means more of the coastline’s natural oyster reefs could be left alone to do what they do best: protect the beautiful Georgia coast.

For more on shellfish leases, visit:

Oyster seed on a sorting screen.

Manley in the Shellfish Research Lab's hatchery.

East Coast Alerts

Available to Coastal Boaters

Every fall, a migration occurs along America’s East Coast, but it’s not of the avian type. Hundreds of cruisers aboard recreational boats (also known as snowbirds or transients) load up with crew in an effort to seek out warmer climates, trekking south down the 1,100-mile Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) to points south.

Confronting them are myriad navigation hazards, including shifting shoals, lift bridge closures, construction, navigation aid repairs, and dredging projects that aren’t marked on their chartplotters or paper charts, but that are included in monthly Local Notices to Mariners put out by NOAA. Signing up to receive the free email newsletter from BoatUS, East Coast Alerts by Mel and Tom Neale, can help to keep snowbirds informed and up to date of those hazards. Local boaters along the East Coast can also quickly and easily find the relevant hazards for their boating region.

“Local Notices to Mariners (LMN) are helpful for a safe passage,” said Mel Neale. “However, it’s an uphill battle to get boaters to use them. Each monthly LNM may be more than 100 pages long. Much of the information is repetitive, and it can take a long time to weed through. Our BoatUS East Coast Alerts distills LNM relevant information down to one place, making it easy to use. Whether you’re a snowbird or local boater, we try to give you legitimate and credible information that you really need to see.”

The Neales issue East Coast Alerts monthly, with critical updates two weeks after, based on U.S. Coast Guard 1st (Maine through New York Harbor), 5th (New Jersey through North Carolina) and 7th (South Carolina through Florida) District LNM information and other resources. Each newsletter is researched by the Neales and attributed with source contact information, whether it’s a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hydrographic survey, maritime contractor, commercial operator, AICW recreational boater, local news story, or Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

“East Coast Alerts is an invaluable tool to help

Intracoastal boaters plan and navigate around new hazards that likely will not show up on their charts,” said BoatUS Magazine editorial director and 15,000-mile world sailor, Bernadette Bernon. “Keep in mind, your electronic charts may be a year out of date. East Coast Alerts fills that gap.”

After leaving professional careers to cruise the East Coast and Bahamas with their two daughters, the Neales were full-time cruising liveaboards for nearly 30 years. They now cruise part-time on their home waters of Chesapeake Bay. Tom, a book author, has written extensively for Cruising World and Soundings, and now serves as top technical editor of BoatUS Magazine. Mel, a professional artist, served as cruising editor for Waterway Guide and has authored features for various boating publications. Mel and Tom have been compiling East Coast Alerts for BoatUS since 2004. Members can receive it free.

SUBSCRIBE

Pulishers of East Coast Alerts, Tom and Mel Neale, aboard their cruising vessel. Photo by Tom Wicks

This great blue heron was reported to have fishing line entangled around multiple body parts. Wildlife professionals were able to remove the line and the bird was released unharmed.

I

t’s a glorious autumn day and you’re cruising with friends on the river. You hear the sudden forceful spray that is most recognizable as a bottlenose dolphin exhaling at the surface of the water. All conversation ceases as you look around. There it is, rising once more just ahead of you, a sight that never gets old. A second later, you see the dolphin’s tail emerge from the water, and sadly, several yards of fishing line are wrapped around it.

You love the water – that’s why you’re a boater. But not only that, you’ve developed a lifelong respect and appreciation for the wildlife that live in and around the water. Unfortunately, in recent years, you see more trash impacting the world you love, and you want to do something about it.

Thanks to the NOAA Marine Debris Program, Southeast Wildlife and Habitat Impacts Working Group, and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, there is something you can do and the tool that you need is literally at your fingertips.

“Tangled in Trash: A Reporting Tool for Wildlife” is now available online or through the Anecdata smartphone app, and wildlife researchers are eager to get this new instrument into the hands of boaters and outdoor adventurers just like you. If you’re anywhere in Georgia or the Carolinas with your smart phone in hand, you can quickly report

Tangled in Trash

By Dory Ingram

A free citizen science app for your phone allows you to report entangled or debris-impacted wildlife so rescuers can try to locate and assist the animal and record data to aid in longterm research.

entangled wildlife you see and notify resource agencies who may be able to help.

Here’s how it works. The Tangled in Trash app allows you to document when and where you encounter wildlife impacted by marine debris. Using your smartphone, you quickly snap photos and describe your sighting, specifying the nature of the impact and the condition of the affected animal. Your data and photos will assist wildlife experts in identifying and resolving threats posed by trash or marine debris in the natural environment. As you submit your observation, you are prompted to report live animals to the nearest wildlife responder who can help. Their contact information is displayed on the screen for your immediate use.

According to Kelly Thorvalson, Wildlife and Habitat Impacts Working Group member and coordinator for the Tangled in Trash citizen science project, “More than 200 species of wildlife have been documented as being affected by marine debris, but interactions are not well understood. This tool will house reported wildlife and marine debris interactions to help users, researchers, wildlife responders, and others identify critical trends and concerns and strategize actionable solutions.”

Ready to help? Click on the QR code displayed on this page or search

for and download the free “Anecdata” app in the App Store or Google Play. Register your account, then search for “Tangled in Trash” in the search bar and click “Join.” If you see an animal struggling with marine debris, click “Report Observation.” While you may not always be able to save the injured animal that you have spotted, your efforts to document these interactions will be far reaching. Thank you for helping the NOAA and wildlife responders in your area to protect wildlife and wild places.

GET THE APP

To download the app, visit your app store and search Anecdata.

To learn more, visit: www.anecdata.org/projects/view/861

Photo provided by Brittany Dodge, Tangled in Trash project

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant received funding from the Georgia DNR Coastal Resources Division to gather socioeconomic information on Georgia's recreational charter fishing sector and assess the economic contributions of the sector to Georgia's economy. A survey was disseminated to charter captains and businesses to collect sales and expenditure data.

Results of the survey show that roughly 184 licensed for-hire fishing captains in Georgia provided fishing guide services to nearly 53,000 anglers in 2021.

Included here are the total economic contribution estimates of the for-hire fishing sector in 2021, as well as the top five industries, by employment, that are directly supported by charter fishing.

Don’t miss the chance to see migratory birds passing through some of coastal Georgia’s best viewing areas this fall.

Wildlife biologist Tim Keyes of the Georgia DNR describes the coast as “full of bird activity. And the Colonial Coast Birding Trail is an excellent entryway to this world, encompassing all the diversity of habitats and bird species the Georgia coast has to offer,” Keyes said.

With fall migration in full swing – millions of birds from warblers to shorebirds and even insects such as butterflies and dragonflies are flying south – three sites that exemplify the beauty of this birding trail and the region’s rich wildlife and history are Altamaha Wildlife Management Area, Crooked River State Park and Tybee Island’s North Beach.

At Altamaha WMA near Darien, visitors can explore 3,154 acres of managed waterfowl impoundments and some 27,000 acres of bottomland hardwoods and cypress-tupelo swamps. Impoundments built as part of Ducks Unlimited's MARSH program – Matching Aid to Restore State Habitat – provide excellent wildlife viewing and feature several observation towers. During the fall, see migratory ducks congregate on the water, watch the ruckus of sandpipers on muddy flats and search for elusive rails in the reeds. To access the WMA, visitors will need a hunting or fishing license or a state Lands Pass.

“Altamaha WMA has habitat that’s hard to find on the coast,” Keyes said. “Most of the shallow freshwater seen at Altamaha has disappeared from the region. Even though this habitat at the WMA is manmade, it is valuable. Fall is the perfect time to see wading birds and shorebirds … and in comfortable weather, too.”

Farther south near St. Marys, Crooked River State Park provides room to enjoy habitats varying from pine flatwoods to salt marsh and maritime forest. Four miles of trails wind through the 500-acre park. The diverse habitats comprise an important pitstop for migrating birds. Keep an eye out for colorful warblers high in the trees, herons standing patiently in the marsh and ospreys snatching fish from the water. Crooked River also features amenities such as cottages and campsites for

overnight expeditions.

By Ethan Hatchett Public Affairs Assistant GADNR Wildlife Resources Division

And on the opposite end of Georgia’s coastline, North Beach on Tybee Island is one of the best sites for spotting migratory birds. Walk the beach toward the island’s northern tip for excellent opportunities to see shorebirds, pelicans and gulls. After birding, the beach is close enough to many of the shops and restaurants that Tybee is known for.

“Most of Georgia’s islands can be hard to get to, but Tybee’s North beach remains a great birding site that is easily accessible,” Keyes said. “This beach is home to critical habitat for piping plovers and American oystercatchers as well as a significant roosting point for other seabirds. The beach even offers visitors a chance to engage in citizen science by recording color bands on seabirds that have been tagged.”

Whether you want to see a bald eagle soaring over a coastal river, hunt for migratory songbirds singing in a live oak or stand among butterflies drinking from blooming flowers, the Colonial Coast Birding Trail has something for you.

The trail offers 17 sites across 122 miles of the Georgia coast. Some 300 species of birds – 75 percent of the species reported in Georgia – have been spotted at the venues. The trail also features opportunities to see other wildlife including big alligators, croaking frogs, hanging Spanish moss and much more.

Find details at www.georgiabirdingtrails.com and on DNR’s Go Outdoors GA app. The free app, which allows you to check off species seen on the trail, can be downloaded at the Apple or Google Play store.

Key fundraisers to support prorams like this include sales and renewals of the eagle and hummingbird license plates. These tags cost only $25 more than a standard plate to buy or renew. Up to $20 of that fee goes to help wildlife.

Supporters can donate online at www.gooutdoorsgeorgia. com. Click “Licenses and Permits” and log in to the secure system. (New customers will need to create an account.)

Learn more at www.georgiawildlife.com/licenseplates and www.georgiawildlife.com/donations. Visit www.georgiawildlife. com/conservation/annualreport to see how your support is put to work.

For Colonial Coast Birding Trail details, visit: www.georgiabirdingtrails.com

American oystercatchers in flight.

Photo by Tim Keyes, GADNR

Aproposal to amend the recreational fishing regulations for red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) has been postponed pending a thorough review of public comments by the Georgia DNR.

DNR’s Coastal Resources Division, which manages the state’s saltwater fisheries, received more than 1,300 public comments regarding its proposal to reduce the daily creel limit from five red drum to three, establish a new vessel limit of nine, and prohibit for-hire guides and mates from retaining any red drum during a chartered fishing trip. Currently, the daily limit is five and there are no restrictions on fish caught per vessel or on guides or mates from retaining fish.

“It behooves the Division to spend extra time to understand this number of comments before bringing the final recommendations before you,” CRD Director Doug Haymans said in a memorandum to the Board of Natural Resources, which has statutory authority to adopt or reject the proposed regulation change. “At the moment, we see 75 percent support for all three measures, but we feel it important to check for duplicate responses if possible and examine opposing comments, as we have noted many in opposition sought a more restrictive limit.”

The Board of Natural Resources was briefed on the proposed change at its Aug. 23 meeting, and a public comment period was open from Aug. 24 - Oct. 6. During that period, CRD received 952 public comments via an Internet survey, 116 via U.S. Postal Service, 71 at in-person meetings, and seven emails. The Division also received 163 form letters.

“By far, these represent the largest amount of public involvement of any CRD proposed rule change to date,” Haymans said. Any future consideration of the rule change by the Board of Natural Resources will be announced on CRD’s website at CoastalGaDNR.org.

Anyone seeking more information about the proposed rule change can visit CoastalGaDNR.org/RedDrumPublicHearings to view CRD presentations about the proposal, as well as a recording of the Sept. 22 Brunswick public hearing.

Members of the media who have questions may contact CRD’s public information officer, Tyler Jones, at tyler.jones@dnr.

Photo provided by GADNR

EASTERN OYSTER Crassostrea virginica

Compiled by Neva Parsons

GALLONS

Amount of water one oyster can filter per day.

Quick Facts

Why Only "R" Months?

spawn when water temps reach 68 degrees and spawning oysters aren't flavorful.

can develop in oysters during warmer months, including Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) and Vibrio vulnificus (Vv). Harvested oysters should be stored at temps below 40 degrees (but not frozen).

Adult oysters are sessile. What the heck is that? Sessile means "fixed in place; immobile." Oysters attach the bottom half of their shell to a fixed object to avoid being washed away by the tide. In Georgia, wild oysters attach to each other in clusters, creating oyster reefs.

BANANAS & OTHER SEAFARING SUPERSTITIONS

By Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill

The world we walk in is steeped in rituals, superstitions, and portends of bad luck. Perhaps, more so for mariners whose daily lives are steered by these things. Personally, I’m not very superstitious, however I am a little-stitious, if you know what I mean. How many of you have your good luck talismans, such as a good luck jersey, lucky socks, a four leaf clover or a rabbit's foot? Well, lets go down the rabbit hole, so to speak, and look at a few seagoing superstitions and perhaps some of the origins as well.

Fishermen are perhaps some of the oldest mariners in the world, from the time man pushed that first log out into the water and climbed aboard, they’ve been following that call to the sea. At one time it was considered unlucky to see a red-haired person on the way to the boat. Could you imagine how difficult the fishing in Ireland and Scotland must have been?

Nets were salted at the beginning of the season, and often there was a blessing as well. This eventually carried over into the blessing of the fleet, which is still very much a tradition here in the lowcountry. Fishing every day of the week was another thing considered bad luck, as the gods would consider you greedy and not happy with what they gave you.

Now let us look at the 800 pound gorilla in the room: BANANAS. Yes, those slippery skinned buggers that supposedly keep fish from biting (or any other unlucky thing that might occur if bananas are allowed aboard). Though the origin of this superstition can’t be pinpointed, many believe it goes back at least to the 1700’s. But why are bananas bad luck? Several ideas have been floated through the years, and of those, some may have merit while others are likely just hand me down legends, meaning you were told by someone who was told by someone else.

Let’s look at a few things that may have contributed to this belief, and maybe some science behind it. In the early days of commerce, ships could often be loaded top heavy, causing instability, particularly in foul weather, so when ships would succumb to the ravages of the sea sometimes all that was left floating was ... you guessed it, bananas. Leading some to believe that the bananas were the cause.

I’ve heard from some mariners that gases emitted by this fruit made ships heavier by soaking into the wood, though I’ve not been able to corroborate this. Bananas do, however, emit ethylene gas, which is heavier than air, but the most noticeable effect of this is that it causes other nearby fruits and vegetables to ripen and rot much quicker.

The oils on bananas, when transferred to the hands, may very well cause fish to not be interested in the bait. Or maybe a fisherman once slipped on a peel and cursed the fruit instead of his own clumsiness. Another possibility is the creepy crawlies that hang out with ‘naners, such as spiders and snakes and other poisonous critters.

In early days, long before refrigeration and well preserved foods, mariners often fished for sustenance on long voyages. Yet because food cargo would spoil quickly, ships had to get where they were going fast, so the trawling results were generally poorer.

No matter the source, probably better to be safe than sorry. Never take bananas or wear anything banana-related if you go out on someone else’s boat as you may find your snack or shirt swimming with the fishes. (You Fruit of the Loom guys may want to cut the labels out of your jockey shorts.)

Other seagoing superstions include emptying your pockets to make sure you have no pennies, and not bringing flowers or clergy aboard as both are connected to funerals. Ringing of bells is also associated with funerals, so anything ringing was a portent of bad luck, even the ringing of a wine glass had to be stopped before the end of its reverberation to ward off the bad mojo about to be unleashed. Never set sail on a Friday, being the day of Crucifixion.

There’s a story that the British tried to lay that superstition to rest. They commissioned a vessel to be built; the keel was laid on a Friday, it was launched on a Friday, christened on a Friday and named the HMS Friday, and who better to captain her? None other than a chap by the name of Captain Friday. The vessel set out on her maiden voyage and faded from sight out over the horizon, never to be seen again. Take this with a grain of salt, as I have found nothing to substantiate it. So, no matter your beliefs just remember this: it’s bad luck to be superstitious.

Captain Gator has spent the past several decades truly living the salt life, from living on and racing sailboats, to being a paddle guide, to becoming a 100-ton master and working in the tour boat industry. A strong love of history and the water has shaped him into becoming one part educator, one part entertainer, and one part storyteller. When asked if he is a native, his reply is yes, by osmosis.

TheOriginalCaptainGator@gmail.com

'Til our wakes cross again, peace and love, and shrimp and grits. I'll see you on the water!

8 Fall Maintenance Tips

Ah, fall: The nip of the first chill in the air. The colorful foliage. The pumpkin spice lattes. The pumpkin spice everything. Oh yeah, and the long list of home maintenance tasks awaiting you at the start of the season. We hate to intrude on your fall bliss, but the postsummer months are a critical time for knocking out routine home maintenance to keep your household running smoothly into winter. Luckily, many of these tasks are easy DIY projects, with options to call in the pros if you prefer. We asked home experts which items should be at the top of your to-do list this fall. Here are the musts to tackle before the falling leaves turn to colder winter temps.

1. Check windows and doors for air leaks. Lower temperatures mean higher thermostat settings, and anyone in a cooler climate knows the pain of opening a gas bill in the dead of winter.

2. Clean the chimney. If you have a fireplace, fall is a great time to give it a thorough cleaning and inspection, says Craig Gjelsten, vice president of Rainbow International Restoration. Maintaining a clean fireplace is the simplest and best way to remove creosote, a byproduct of wood combustion that contains tar and toxins. “Eliminating this from the chimney liner and the smoke box reduces the risk of a fire,” he says

3. Schedule a furnace tuneup. Don’t wait until the first bitterly cold day to finally turn on your furnace. If you have any issues, you’ll want to know before the mercury drops and you find yourself shivering indoors. “Homeowners should listen for strange noises, such as booming, clicking, and squealing, when they turn on their furnace for the fall season,” Bidwell adds. “They should also pay attention to odd odors coming from the furnace.”

4. Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It’s easy to forget about smoke and carbon monoxide detectors (unless a cooking disaster sets off the alarm—we’ve all been there). “That’s why as we approach this time of year, it’s important to test these alarms and detectors, as well as replace those that are 10 or more years old,” Gjelsten says.

5. Run ceiling fans in reverse. The hot, humid days of summer are officially in the rear-view mirror (in most parts of the country, at least). “That’s why now is the perfect time to start thinking about reversing the direction [of] fans in the home to make the space warmer,” Gjelsten says. Reversing the direction of your ceiling fans helps circulate warm air near the ceiling back into your living space. (Heat rises, remember!) This can cut your heating costs by as much as 10%, Gjelsten says.

6. Winterize your sprinkler system. It’s a good idea to winterize your outdoor irrigation system to prevent damage from freezing water. This process clears leftover water from the pipes in your irrigation system.

7. Disconnect and empty your garden hoses. Speaking of freezing water, “a frozen hose can cause the water inside the wall to freeze and burst,” Bidwell says. Don’t let this happen to you, homeowner!

8. Clean the gutters. Throughout the year, your gutters fill up with leaves, sticks, and other debris. Failing to clear this gunk from your gutters can mean rain and melting snow won’t be able to drain easily—potentially causing seepage and leaks into your home.