Southern Tides September 2020 by Southern Tides Magazine

Southern Tides all about the water

September 2020

Celebrating 5 years!

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In the Tides CREW

Issue No. 61/ September 2020

Publisher/Editor Amy Thurman amy@southerntidesmagazine.com Publisher/Editor Jennifer Farmer info@southerntidesmagazine.com

7 Editor's Note 9 Around the Reef 11 Fishing News

The Bitter End Columnist Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill theoriginalcaptaingator@gmail.com

13 Did You Know? Sheepshead 13 Taste of the Tides - Shrimp Wrap

Around the Reef Columnist Taylor O'Neill for Michelle Riley michelle.riley@noaa.gov

14 Thank You Advertisers 16 Meet the Crew

Consulting Naturalist John "Crawfish" Crawford crawfish@uga.edu

19 Thank You Community Partners 20 Exploring Coastal Ecosystems 23 Hurricane Gliders 24 Five Years of Covers 28 Community Updates 30 The Bitter End

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

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About the Cover:

Letters to the Editor:

Sunset over Cockspur Light. Photo by Captain J. Gary Hill

September 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

We love hearing from you! Questions, comments, ideas, or whatever you'd like to share, please do! Send your thoughts to any of our email addresses listed above. 5

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Editor’s Note Celebrating 5 Years!

See you out there!

utting this issue together was a bit of a walk down memory lane. These past five years, in 60 issues, we’ve covered a lot, from oyster toadfish to North Atlantic right whales, from charity fishing tournaments to scientific research cruises, from hurricane preparedness to coastal weekend getaways, from Cumberland to Gray’s Reef to Daufuskie, and everything in between. On pages 24 – 27 you’ll see all of our past covers. All 60 of them! I can’t tell you how many times readers have told me they look forward to seeing what our next cover will be. But hey, no pressure! It is a challenge at times though, to find just the right photo. We would love to see photos of yours, those special moments you’ve captured of the flora and fauna of our amazing coast. Please send them along and maybe yours could end up on our cover! We couldn’t have done any of this, these past five years, without the support of our advertisers, the information from our community partners, and the writers and photographers who share their creativity with us. Please take a few minutes to read the pages that introduce them all. And when you visit our advertisers, please thank them for their continued support of the magazine. I’d also like to offer a special thanks to our readers. For picking the magazine up every month, sharing it with others, for liking us on social media, for writing in to tell us you liked an article or the magazine in general, for those of you who subscribe and have Southern Tides sent to your home or office. For sharing our love and passion for this coastal region! Thank you all. As you’re reading these pages, we’re gearing up for our second annual oyster issue, coming in October. If you have favorite oyster recipes, stories about your oyster roasts, or if your business is related to oysters in some way, please reach out soon so we can include you! I hope you enjoy this issue, that you’re staying safe out there in these turbulent times, and that you’re making time to get out on the water and enjoy the peace it brings. Get yourselves a little river therapy! See you out there!

Want to help others in the event of a hurricane or other disaster? Consider volunteering for a disaster relief organization, like Team Rubicon. I’ve recently joined and am serving in the Savannah Metro area, which encompasses Chatham, Bryan and Liberty, as well as several inland counties. Team Rubicon has a dual mission of responding to disaster events, and helping Veterans reintegrate into civilian life. With multiple military installations in our coastal region it’s a natural fit. You’d be working alongside good men and women in whatever capacity you’re able to manage, and helping folks in need, as well as our Vets. You can visit the website to learn more, and/or touch base with me. If you’re in Camden, Glynn or McIntosh counties, I’m happy to connect you with your metro leader there, as well.

TeamRubiconUSA.org

Amy Thurman

Editor in Chief amy@southerntidesmagazine.com September 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

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Around theReef By Taylor O'Neill Communications Intern Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary

ome out and play! We’re excited to present A Voyage Around Savannah, an underwater experience that doesn’t require scuba gear or getting your feet wet. The adventure will set sail on Saturday, October 17 and Sunday, October 18, 2020. Our special land-based voyage is a virtual scavenger hunt that uses QR codes to guide you through the streets of the Savannah Historic District. No need to charter a boat for this dive. You can have a great time in the Historic District and learn fun facts about Georgia’s amazing underwater park, Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Each voyager who finishes the hunt also has the chance to win a prize bag of Gray’s Reef goodies! All you need is the camera on your smartphone and a sense of direction – or maybe a map! Local businesses and landmarks around the Historic District serve as the ports of call for our Voyage Around Savannah, each with a QR code sign placed somewhere around their entrance. You simply hover your camera over the QR code on each sign. You’ll see an interesting fact about Gray’s Reef pop up on your screen, and with it, a clue about where your next stop is. The QR code signs will be universal in color and appearance, so they will be easily identifiable. There is no time limit; you have all weekend Oct. 17 & 18 to join the fun! You’ll get some fresh air and exercise during the most beautiful month of the year in Savannah. The voyage includes ports of call located from River Street all the way past Jones Street. Many of the businesses will be open that weekend if you want to check them out while on your voyage. The scavenger hunt is for all ages and for individuals or groups – your pod or family can use one phone, or you can each use your own phones individually. Just remember to social distance and sanitize your screen! Gray's Reef staff will determine the winner through a random computer drawing on Monday, October 19, and will contact the winner to give them their swag bag of Gray’s Reef goodies – after all, didn’t you always want an octopus water bottle and other cool stuff? Lace up your tennis shoes, grab your smartphone, and get ready to experience Savannah like an explorer! So who’s ready to bear the waves -- or rather streets -- on an adventure that will transform your imagination and make you forget you are not actually sailing the big blue sea? A diver explores the live bottom of Gray's Reef. Photo provided by GRNMS For Information contact Michelle Riley: (912) 598-2417 michelle.riley@noaa.gov

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Fishing News Recycling Line & lures Contest

Shellfish Season Opens

Have you ever wondered how old, discarded fishing line is recycled and reused? You may be surprised to learn that turning fishing line into new products is labor intensive, requiring a series of workers to comb through, sort, clean, remove hooks and weights, and separate out miles of encrusted debris in entangled fishing line. There also aren’t any recycling programs for fishing related materials like soft baits. There just has to be a better way. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water and Berkley Fishing have teamed up for a year-long Recast and Recycle Contest to seek out new ideas and improvements to the process, new recycled product ideas, or offer a technology breakthrough for the current process that will increase the volume of line and soft baits that are recycled. A total of $30,000 in prize money is at stake for any boater, angler, armchair technologist, team, student or anyone willing to submit a contest entry now through May 14, 2021. “Whether it’s monofilament line, braided line or soft baits, we want there to be a sustainable, large−scale solution to keeping line out of our waters and landfills where it can remain a problem for birds and wildlife,” said BoatUS Foundation Director of Outreach Alanna Keating. “We want to know how to make the process better. There’s no limit on the possibilities, but keep in mind that judges will add weight to contest submissions that actually work, are practical, innovative, and have the potential to have a significant impact. We really don’t know where a breakthrough could materialize.” The first-place prize is $15,000, second place receives $10,000, and $5,000 will be awarded for third place. Contest submissions can address any part of the process (or multiple parts) of taking fishing gear from end of life to a new life. Professionals, amateurs and students are all encouraged to apply, as are school teams and groups. Contest entries can be submitted with as little as a link to a video demonstration of the idea or one-page graphic summary. Videos are limited to 4 minutes. Contest rules and conditions, details on the current recycling process and videos on how various plastics and soft baits are recycled can be found at the Recast and Recycle website BoatUS. org/contest.

September 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

On October 1, shellfish season will reopen in both Georgia and South Carolina, allowing for recreational harvest of oysters and clams. Visit websites in each state for more information. Georgia License: georgiawildlife.com/licenses-permits-passes Approved harvest areas: coastalgadnr.org/ approvedrecharvestareas South Carolina License: www.dnr.sc.gov/legallicense.html Approved harvest areas: bit.ly/sc_shellfish_harvest Oyster shells are in need for shoreline restoration projects in both states. Please recycle your shells! Look for a list of locations in next month's October Oyster Issue of Southern Tides Magazine.

COVID Assistance for Fishermen

Participants in Georgia’s marine commercial and for-hire industry who experienced a greater than 35 percent loss in revenue between March and May 2020 due to COVID-19 may now apply for federal financial assistance. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed by Congress in March 2020 provided Georgia with nearly $2 million in funds to be distributed to commercial fishermen, wholesale dealers, processors of saltwater species, aquaculturists with a Georgia commercial fishing license, and for-hire guides. Eligible applicants must have experienced a revenue loss of more than 35 percent compared to the same period for the previous five years. If you have not yet received an application packet it can be downloaded at www.CoastalGaDNR.org/CARES. Applications must be postmarked by October 15, 2020. For requirements, eligibility, and other questions, contact Julie Califf at Julie.califf@dnr.ga.gov (912-262-3120) or Cindy Smith at cindy.smith@dnr.ga.gov (912-262-3350) of DNR’s Coastal Resources Division. 11

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Taste of the Tides

Did You Know?

Jalapeno Bacon Shrimp Wraps

Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus) are also known as convict fish, due to the prominent dark stripes along their sides.

There are few better combinations than shrimp, bacon and jalapenos! These wraps are great for lunch, for dinner with a side salad, or to slice into quarters and serve as appetizers. Remember to start with wild caught shrimp from your local seafood market! INGREDIENTS

1 pound wild caught shrimp, chopped 4 large jalapenos, (1 cup, finely diced); remove seeds from half for less heat 1/2 medium onion finely diced 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled 1/4 cup cilantro, diced Garlic powder, salt, ground black pepper 1/2 fresh lime 2 tbsp olive oil 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese 1/2 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese 4 large flour tortillas

Sheepshead have very prominent teeth, which include incisors, molars and rounded grinders. The resemblence to sheep's teeth is thought to be the source of their common name. Photo by Amy Thurman

DIRECTIONS

• Heat oil in skillet over medium-high heat (cast iron if possible). • When skillet is hot toss in jalapenos and onion; saute just until desired tenderness then add in shrimp pieces and cilantro. • Quickly season with garlic powder, salt and pepper, then stir. • When ingredients are thoroughly mixed, squeeze lime over mixture, to taste, then continue stirring until shrimp are firm. • Remove mixture from skillet to a bowl to prevent additional cooking and set hot skillet aside. • Spoon shrimp and vegetable mixture onto waiting tortillas. • Sprinkle liberally with each cheese, top with crumbled bacon, then wrap tortillas like an envelope to prevent ingredients from leaking. • Return skillet to heat and add wraps, folded side down. Gently press down on wraps with a spatula, being careful not to tear tortillas. Cook about one minute per side until lightly browned. Serve immediately.

• Sometimes confused with black drum, the two species are quite different. Sheepshead have darker stripes, a "taller" body shape, and have no barbels on their chins. • Sheepshead are silver in color with five to six black vertical bars. Their dorsal and anal fins have strong, sharp spines and they have sharp gill covers. Average size is 10 - 20 inches but they can grow as large as 36 inches in length. • They eat mostly crustaceans and small fish. They can be found near structure, such as oyster rakes, docks and pilings, sea walls and jetties, where barnacles and other shellfish are readily available. They move nearshore in late winter and early spring to spawn. • Sheepshead are well-known as bait thieves! Successful fishermen have learned to use small hooks to defeat these fish. Live shrimp, fiddler crabs and sand fleas make great bait. While they can be difficult to clean, these fish make for excellent eating! • The Georgia men's record for sheepshead is a 14-pound 14-ounce fish caught in 2002 by Ralph V. White. The women's record is 12 pounds, 9 ounces, caught by Linda Carroll in 2003. Compiled by Amy Thurman

Sheepshead image provided by NOAA September 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

Photo by Amy Thurman 13

Thank

Southern Tides Magazine is funded almost entirely by advertising revenue. We wouldn't be here without the businesses that choose to spend their marketing dollars with us. Thank you all for having confidence in us to reach your target market, and for supporting the magazine! We truly appreciate each of you!

You!

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The following advertisers were long-time supporters who we still appreciate!

Aligaitor Marine • Dunbar Yachts • Expert Marine • Live by the Tides • Maritime Metalworks Mark's Mobile Marine • Satilla Marine • Sea Kayak Georgia • Southern Wood Paddles The Landings Marinas • Thunderbolt Charters • Top Angler September 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

Meet the Crew Compiled by Jennifer Farmer

Southern Tides Staff: The folks responsible for bringing you regular content every month!

Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill

Michelle Riley

Captain Gator is our The Bitter End columnist. He was born in Virginia but considers himself a native of Savannah by osmosis. He doesn’t consider himself a writer but rather one-part entertainer, one-part educator, and one-part historian. He has a background in fine arts, producing film and fine art photography. Gator has worked as a kayak guide and an eco-tour guide, and has been a professional captain for around 15 years. He has a deep love for the water. In addition to writing for Southern Tides, Captain Gator is also a full-time captain with Dolphin Magic Cruises, where he delights guests with his stories and witty dialogue. Aside from a few months when he thought he was going to retire, Captain Gator has been writing The Bitter End since issue two and entertaining readers on a variety of topics, from sailor's valentines to boat etiquette. And as he always says, “peace and love, and shrimp and grits.” Captain Gator can be reached at: TheOriginalCaptainGator@gmail.com

Michelle, who you know as our Around the Reef columnist, handles communications and public outreach for Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary. She recently celebrated her 5-year anniversary with Gray’s Reef. In 2017, she was awarded NOAA’s National Ocean Service Outstanding Team Member and the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries’ Sea To Shining Sea award for her efforts in raising awareness of Gray’s Reef. Michelle is a native of Galveston County, Texas, but wanting to live near the Atlantic, she moved to Savannah and has been here for 17 years. Before joining the Gray’s Reef team, Michelle enjoyed volunteering at the Tybee Island Marine Science Center and The Dolphin Project. Michelle has been part of the Southern Tides family since April 2016. You can reach her at: michelle.riley@noaa.gov

Southern Tides Magazine

September 2020

John "Crawfish" Crawford

John “Crawfish” Crawford is our Southern Tides consulting naturalist and a senior naturalist and marine educator for the UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. This licensed captain has a long list of qualifications and achievements; he’s also served as a wilderness guide, and enjoys scuba and skin diving. Crawfish has a lifelong devotion to environmental education and conservation. He has extensive knowledge in areas such as marine science, botany, zoology, and archaeology. In 2017, he won the Coastal Steward Award and, in 2018, won the Environmental Stewardship Award. Crawfish has always been Southern Tides' go-to person for all questions related to coastal flora and fauna and we're grateful for his knowledge! Crawfish can be reached at: crawfish@uga.edu

Jennifer Farmer

Amy Thurman

Jennifer is our newest addition, working as our editorial assistant intern. She is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in writing and communications. Having been born and raised in Savannah, she loves the ocean. Almost every weekend you can find her out on the water heading to Ossabaw. She also spends time hiking and discovering new trails throughout Georgia. Jennifer has a passion for writing and editing. From a young age she was always surrounded by books and poetry. Rather than writing, she wants to pursue a career in editing to make books and magazines the best they can be and highlight the talents of the writers. Jennifer can be reached at: info@southerntidesmagazine.com September 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

Amy is our editor and publisher. She started Southern Tides Magazine in September 2015 to share her love and passion for our coastal area. In addition to writing and photography, she works to support coastal health with Zulu Marine on marine debris clean-up and living shorelines projects. Amy is also a volunteer leader with Team Rubicon, a disaster response organization and is passionate about helping others during times of need. When she can squeeze in some free time, she loves kayaking, fishing, throwing a cast net, and any other way she can find to be on the water. She lives in a log cabin on the east end of Liberty County. Amy can be reached at: amy@southerntidesmagazine.com 17

Join us at Fish Tales and Ft. McAllister Marina!

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Thank

Community Partners Our Community Partners are those organizations we share similar goals with. We work with them to bring you news, information or other content, or to assist in charitable activities that benefit our community. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with each of these groups and to support each other!

You!

Abilities Unlimited Altamaha Riverkeeper American Red Cross Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA) BoatUS Chatham County Marine Patrol Chatham Emergency Management Agency Chatham Sailing Club Clean Coast Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) Coastal Wildscapes Fishin' For Jamie GADNR Coastal Resources Division GADNR Wildlife Resources Division Geechee Sailing Club Georgia Marine Business Association (GAMBA) Georgia Sea Turtle Center Georgia Southern Glynn Environmental Coalition Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Gray's Reef NMS Foundation Jekyll Island Authority Lowcountry Institute Lowcountry Annie Oakleys NOAA Oatland Island Wildlife Center Ogeechee Riverkeeper One Hundred Miles Ossabaw Island Foundation Port Royal Sound Foundation Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) Saint Marys Riverkeeper September 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

Satilla Riverkeeper Savannah Riverkeeper Savannah State University SC Sea Grant SCDNR SCDNR Marine Resources Research Institute Ships of the Sea Museum Skidaway Institute of Oceanography Southeast Guide Dogs Team Rubicon The Dolphin Project Tybee Clean Beach Volunteers Tybee Island Marine Science Center Tybee Island Maritime Academy UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant Waddell Mariculture Center Wilderness Southeast Special Thanks to the following for being regular contributors of writing and/or photography:

Emily Kenworthy, UGA Marine Extension Erin Weeks, SCDNR Mark Dodd, GADNR Melissa Cummings, GADNR Michael Sullivan, UGA SKiO Rick Lavender, GADNR Tim Keyes, GADNR Tyler Jones, GADNR

Exploring Coastal ecosystems Spartina grass in the low marsh is able to withstand twice daily tides.

Sea oats are critical vegetation on mainland and barrier island beaches. Their sturdy structure allows them to absorb the force of the wind, this decreases the impact and damage at the surface of the sand. However, the root system of this rhizomatous plant has a tap root that extends up to 12 feet deep, and spreads out like a spiderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s web over an area of a 100 feet or more. Found on beach dunes, this plant can withstand salt for short periods of time, however, they cannot endure long periods of inundation. Please remember this is a protected plant, and when visiting the beach do not walk on, play with or remove any of this vitally important plant from its habitat. As we move inland, we encounter the low marsh. This area receives the full effect of the rise and fall of the tides, which vary from an average of six to eight feet on normal days, to nine to ten feet or greater during spring tides or king tides (during new and full moons). Our tides can range even higher when storms push more sea water in. Salt content in the marsh can be the same as seawater, however, may be a bit lower depending on the amount of freshwater in the mix, usually ranging from about 28-35 PPT. It takes very specialized plants to live here, such as Spartina sporobolus, (the marsh grass formerly known as Spartina alterniflora). Spartina is able to endure several hours a day submerged in salt water. Imagine if you took a bucket of seawater and dumped it on a rose bush. Not so good for Mr. Rose. Next we start to move inland, though not by miles, rather by mere feet or even inches. The elevation gradually rises, thereby letting less saltwater infiltrate. This area is the mid-marsh, and here we encounter other vegetation and animal life. The salt content starts to diminish to around 15 to 20 PPT, and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s between here and the low marsh that the magic happens. One of the most vital roles the salt marsh plays is acting as both a nursery and supermarket for the building blocks of the marine ecosystem. All manner of fishes,

Article and Photos By Captain J. Gary Hill

hen we think of the lowcountry, the first thing that comes to mind is the flat verdant expanses of marsh grasses. The one hundred miles of the Georgia coast is one of the most intact, largest and pristine saltwater marshes in the country. Estimated at roughly half a million acres, extending from the barrier islands inland, in a straight line approximately seven to ten miles. The average salinity of the ocean is about 35 parts per thousand (PPT) this sort of environment. There are a few native species that live in this tidal ecosystem. The biodiversity of the lowcountry is unique in that ecosystems, or rather micro-ecosystems, can be separated by mere inches where other ecosystems are separated by miles or even hundreds of miles. The driving force for the salt marsh is the tide, and with Georgia having one of the largest tidal ranges on the east coast, our saltmarsh tends to be rather unique. Starting at the ocean we have our first ecosystem, which is a marine system, loaded with fishes, crustaceans, marine mammals, corals and other assorted life. At the oceans edge we have the barrier islands, which, as the name implies are barriers between the ocean and the interior. These islands shield us from the wrath of storms and winds and are dynamic landmasses, ever changing, yet critical to the survival of the saltmarsh in general. 20

Southern Tides Magazine

September 2020

gastropods and crustaceans use this as a safe haven to mature. The grasses provide shelter, but also as the plants go through their life cycle and eventually die and return to the waters and marsh from which they sprang, they provide a rich bio-nutrient soup that feeds the juvenile sea life inhabiting this area. From microscopic zooplankton and phytoplankton, diatoms and dinoflagellates, these building blocks are carried in and out by the tons with each tide change, also helping to sustain and enrich the first several miles going out into the ocean. Vegetation wise, you will start to find a variety of other grasses, including salt grass, black rush, and wire grass. And quite a few insect varieties, too. As we continue inland, we make our way to the high marsh, where the salinity starts to dropdown to less than 15 PPT. Plants like seaside goldenrod, spartina patens (another variety of cordgrass also referred to as salt hay), and sea ox-eye daisy, with a flower that resembles a daisy or flowering dandelion. Here, too, are a variety of insects, from mosquitos to our state bird, the sand gnat. The last step of our climb takes us into the maritime forest, once again a difference in altitude of mere inches, but these inches make it possible for other grasses, shrubs and trees to flourish. Standing at the water’s edge you often find southern red cedars, their branches dipping down and touching the water. It’s here you can see a prime example of how caustic salt is by the dead brown needles that make contact with saltwater a few hours every day. You’ll also find a cornucopia of wax myrtle, yaupon holly, and saw palmetto’s dispersed through majestic live oaks, loblolly pines, cabbage palmetto, and often sabal palms. Timber was taken from Georgia’s maritime forests by the millions of board feet making it one of our first cash crops here in the lowcountry.

From the low marsh to the maritime forest, we find not only a vast variety of flora, but fauna as well, from winged clapper rails (long bill marsh wren) to the stately American bald eagle, the symbol of our great nation. Various rodents, deer and wild boar, as well as reptiles including snakes, alligators and diamondback terrapins abound. Salinity levels will vary depending on fresh water sources such as alluvial rivers, ponds and freshwater sloughs. I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey. This is by no means a fully comprehensive piece, but rather an introduction to the magic of this special place we call the lowcountry.

Starting September 25, 2020 Captain Derek’s on Tybee Island will be offering a Saltwater Immersion class. These classes will last from 1.5 to 2.0 hours and will consist of a short walk on our private beach to learn about the different varieties of plant life as well as see first hand how close these microecosystems are to one another. We will also pull crab traps and throw cast nets to get a hands-on view of various marine life (which will be returned to the water). Classes can be tailored to suit various class needs and ages as well as special needs. We will be offering them to both the general public as well as homeschool and public school groups. Classes will be taught by Austin Dean (with over a decade in wildlife control) and myself (Captain Gator), as well as other guest speakers when available. Contact Amy Brown at (912) 658-8597 to discuss booking times and availability or other questions you may have, or email me at theoriginalcaptaingator@gmail.com

Dead marsh grass (commonly called wrack) provides nutrients to a wide range of sea life when floating in the marsh and even deposited here at the high tide line. Beyond the wrack is a variety of high marsh plants. Join us to learn which ones!

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Gliders contribute to hurricane forecastS By Michael Sullivan External Affairs Manager UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography

he U.S. Navy and UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography are teaming up to track hurricanes. The collaboration is part of a larger project that includes the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, the University of South Florida and the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) to maintain a continuous stream of autonomous underwater vehicle missions off the southeast U.S. coast. The AUVs, also known as “gliders,” contribute to improved storm forecasts by measuring the heat available in the ocean to fuel storms and making that data available to the models used to predict storm intensity. Gliders are torpedo-shaped crafts that can be packed with sensors and sent on underwater missions to collect oceanographic data. The gliders measure temperature and salinity, among other parameters, as they profile up and down in the water. Equipped with satellite phones, the gliders surface periodically to transmit their recorded data to base stations on land. Since they move through the water by adjusting their buoyancy instead of using a traditional motor and propeller, they require very little power and can remain on their mission for days or weeks at a time. “We set off with a bit of an ambitious target of deploying a glider at regular intervals off of Cape Canaveral, Florida and then letting it swim all the way up the edge of the Gulf Stream to North Carolina,” UGA Skidaway Institute scientist Catherine Edwards said. This year’s project got a boost from an extremely rare contribution from the U.S. Navy – a loan of two of its gliders. “That is something that is extremely unusual, made possible by a collaboration the Navy, NOAA and academic partners like Skidaway have developed over the past year,” Edwards said. “We received these two gliders to deploy and recover, and help the Navy piloting team by providing them some guidance on piloting them through the Gulf Stream currents.” The heat content of the ocean serves as fuel that feeds hurricanes and may determine whether a storm weakens as it approaches land or strengthens, as Hurricane Laura did dramatically last month. As it approached the Louisiana coast on August 26, Laura strengthened from a category one storm to a category four in less than 18 hours. While satellites do well measuring surface temperature, they are not very effective determining the conditions in the rest of the water column. By flying up and down, the gliders measure temperature and salinity changes from top to bottom. They can show if the heat at the surface extends all the way to the bottom, or if it is stratified with cooler water below the surface. If a hurricane mixes up cooler water from below to the surface, it can serve to weaken the storm. The gliders are programmed to surface every four hours and, using the satellite phones built into their tails, report their data to shore and then into national and international data repositories. The Navy assimilates this data into its operational ocean models, and the data is available for scientists, partners and the general public to September 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

Glider team member Ben Hefner prepares to launch a glider. Photo provided by UGA/SKiO

access the information within hours of measurement. “It can get pretty rough out there, but the gliders do great,” Edwards said. “They have a lot of buoyancy built in their tail, and as long as they can get that tail out of the water, they can get clear communications to shore.” The glider data serves both short- and long-term goals. Because the gliders update so frequently, their data is available for assimilation into current storm forecast models on a near-real time basis. In addition, the data also serves the larger scale mission of learning more about the relationship between the ocean and the atmosphere. Edwards calls the gliders the weather balloons of the ocean. Every day, thousands of weather balloons are released to collect data for weather forecasts. She says that gliders do the same for the ocean. “Hurricanes show how important the connection between the ocean and the atmosphere is,” she said. “I think there is a growing awareness that the ocean-atmosphere connection is important for weather predictions overall. “From hurricanes to strong winter ‘bomb’ cyclones, even places far from the coast have weather that is driven by the ocean.” So far this season, the gliders have been well-positioned. For example, Hurricane Isaias was very difficult to predict, but at one point it was tracking directly towards Savannah. “We had two gliders in the water at that time, and I tell you, the track literally went directly over our two gliders,” Edwards said. “It also went over a number of other gliders near Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. “I joked that Isaias looked like PacMan. He was trying to eat up as many gliders as he could on his path.” Edwards praises her co-chief scientists, Harvey Seim from the University of North Carolina and Chad Lembke from the University of South Florida. She also credits the team of 17 glider pilots among the three institutions who direct the gliders on an hour to hour basis. “This is a really ambitious project to deploy as many gliders as we have a fantastic team to pull that off,” she said. “It’s the team, and how we work together, that has made this so much fun.” The biweekly deployments will continue through the rest of hurricane season, providing real-time data along the length of the southeast Atlantic coast. 23

Five Years of Covers When professional photographer Kelley Luikey, of Nature Muse Imagery, allowed Southern Tides to use one of her amazing wildlife photos for our very first cover, the bar was set. And set high. Since then we've tried hard to find photos that both catch the reader's eye and exemplify what Southern Tides is all about: the water. With only a very few exceptions, all of our covers are local, by local photographers, both professionals and amatuers alike. We would LOVE to consider your photos for future covers! In the meantime, here are our first 60 cover photos, from Septemer 2015, through last month, August 2020. Here's hoping we have another 60 ahead of us - and that we continue to catch your eye!

September 2015 Photo by Nature Muse Imagery

October 2015 Photo by Chelsea Spaulding

November 2015 Photo by Kenneth Carroll

December 2015 Photo by Amy Thurman

January 2016 Photo ÂŠ 3D Entertainment

February 2016 Photo by George Schmahl

March 2016 Photo by J. Gary Hill

April 2016 Photo by Perry Peace

May 2016 Photo provided by JIA

June 2016 Photo by Amy Thurman

July 2016 Photo by Joseph Shields 24

August 2016 Photo by Keely Kasper Southern Tides Magazine September 2020

September 2016 Photo by Nature Muse Imagery

October 2016 Photo by Capt. Sam Meyer

November 2016 Photo by Malcolm Gorrie

December 2016 Photo by John A. Anderson

January 2017 Photo ÂŠ Colossus Productions

February 2017 Photo by John Holden

March 2017 Photo by John Holden

April 2017 Photo by Amy Thurman

May 2017 Photo by John & Lisa Holden

June 2017 Photo by Greg McFall/NOAA

July 2017 Photo by Zulu Marine, Inc.

August 2017 Photo by Timothy Henkel

September 2017 Photo by Nature Muse Imagery

October 2017 Photo by Emily Woodward

November 2017 Photo by Amy Thurman

December 2017 Photo by Brianne Varnerin

September 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

January 2018 Photo by Bill Goodwin/NOAA

February 2018 Photo by Amy Thurman

March 2018 Photo by John Holden

April 2018 Photo by Amy Thurman

May 2018 Photo provided by GADNR

June 2018 Photo by Yank Moore/JIA

July 2018 Photo by Amy Thurman

August 2018 Photo by Marybeth Head

September 2018 Photo by G.P. Schmahl/NOAA

October 2018 Photo by Amy Thurman

November 2018 Photo by Amy Thurman

December 2018 Photo by Peter Leahy

January 2019 Photo by Greg McFall/NOAA

February 2019 Photo by Amy Thurman

March 2019 Photo by Amy Thurman

April 2019 Photo by Tim Keyes/GADNR

Southern Tides Magazine

September 2020

May 2019 Photo by Amy Thurman

June 2019 Photo by Amy Thurman

July 2019 Photo by Amy Thurman

August 2019 Photo by Greg McFall/NOAA

September 2019 Photo by Amy Thurman

October 2019 Photo by Amy Thurman

November 2019 Photo by Trey Leggett

December 2019 Photo by Amy Thurman

January 2020 Photo by Christy Hand/SCDNR

February 2020 Photo by Amy Thurman

March 2020 Photo by Greg McFall/NOAA

April 2020 Photo by Bob Bonde/USGS

May 2020 Photo by Brian Sanford

June 2020 Photo by Tim Keyes/GADNR

July 2020 Photo by Mark Dodd/GADNR

August 2020 Photo by Amy Thurman

September 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

Community Updates Jekyll Creek Project Wins Sustainability Award CIRCA 1870

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The Jekyll Creek Beneficial Use Pilot Project has won the 2020 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Sustainability Green Dream Team Award. This project is the first of its kind along the southeastern coast, and the first dredging of Jekyll Creek in over 20 years. The project will be highlighted in the upcoming Engineering With Nature Atlas, Volume 2. The project included two beneficial use strategies in Jekyll Creek: open water dispersal (OWD) and thin layer placement (TLP), both implemented for the first time in Georgia and the USACE South Atlantic Dredge Rockbridge in Jekyll Creek. Division. The successful implementation Photo copyright Cottrell Contracting of these strategies is a big step toward the goal of 100% beneficial use of dredge material. The USACE Sustainability Awards Program provides the opportunity to mark our significant contributions in the fields of energy efficiency, sustainable solutions, reduced impacts to the natural environment, and preserving and enhancing our natural resources.

Simple Tips to Maintain and Use a PLB

Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs), those pint-sized, individual rescue beacons used by boaters, sailors, and paddlers to summon emergency help have saved hundreds of lives since their authorization for use 17 years ago. That doesn’t mean they are maintenance free, according to the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety. The boating safety nonprofit offers these simple tips to maintain and use a PLB. · PLBs need to be registered with NOAA. As a way to ensure accurate, up-to-date information, registration is valid for just two years. While NOAA will attempt to reach you to re-register, it’s a good idea to put it on your calendar. · Not sure of your PLB registration’s emergency contact information? NOAA allows PLB owners to update contact info at any time and if you’re unsure of whom you have listed, you may want to take a look now. Outdated information can delay rescuers. · PLBs need to be tested, typically monthly, according to manufacturer recommendations. Testing does not activate a PLB so get comfortable checking one. · After testing, confirm that the battery has not expired and the O-ring is in good shape. This will give you peace of mind that the PLB will operate flawlessly when you really need it. Battery life is typically five years. · Because they are worn by the user, PLBs can get banged up or abused during normal wear. It’s a good idea to check over the outer case for cracks or damage. Do you have temporary need of a PLB? The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water’s EPIRB / PLB Rental Program offers ACR ResQLink 406 MHz Personal Locator Beacons for $7 daily, $45 weekly, or $150 monthly.

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Southern Tides Magazine

September 2020

Virtual CoastFest Sept. 30 - Oct. 2!

The Coastal Resources Division of the GADNR invites students, teachers and the public to Virtual CoastFest 2020, being held Wednesday, Sept. 30, through Friday, Oct. 2, at www.CoastalGaDNR.org/CoastFest. While in-person CoastFest will not be held due to COVID-19, the Division will offer a series of livestreamed events highlighting its programs all three days at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day. Virtual attendees will have the opportunity to interact with Division staff and ask questions about how they conserve Georgia’s coastal resources for present and future generations. “For 26 years, we’ve looked forward to meeting our friends and neighbors from across the region at CoastFest,” said Tyler Jones, the Division’s CoastFest coordinator. “We’ve had to get creative to work around COVID-19 this year, and we’re excited to offer a virtual way to continue that tradition and provide an opportunity to peel back the curtain and show everyone what we do at Coastal Resources Division.” Live-stream topics on Wednesday, Sept. 30: 9:30 a.m.: “All Aboard the R/V Anna: A look at the Division’s 60-foot shrimping vessel and the fisheries management work conducted aboard.” 11 a.m.: “One Fish, Two Fish, Old Fish, New Fish: Discover how biologists and citizen scientists team up to better understand coastal fish populations.” 2 p.m.: “The Shoreline Comes Alive: Learn what local communities and individuals are doing to protect property and restore wetland ecosystems.” Thursday, Oct. 1: 9:30 a.m.: “Our Changing Beaches: Beaches are constantly shifting, impacted by both gentle and tumultuous processes. Find out how the processes work and how people can adapt.” 11 a.m.: “Safe to Swim: Educate yourself on beach water quality, and how the Division partners with other agencies to keep the public safe.” 2 p.m.: “Building Homes for Fish: Dive deep with our marine biologists to learn how the Division is building artificial reefs to create essential fish habitat.” Friday, Oct. 2: 9:30 a.m.: “Going Green for Our Future: Learn how you can capture rainwater and prevent pollution runoff in your backyard and community.” 11 a.m.: “Fishing Basics 101: Grab your fishing pole and join our marine biologists as they show you how to fish along the Georgia coast, including knot tying, types of bait and techniques.” 2 p.m.: “Touch Tanks Live: Tune in live as we show off some of the coolest creatures that swim in our estuarine environment, and ask our biologists questions.” The CoastFest Art Contest, featuring art from students across the region, will still be held as usual, and the artwork will be on display at the Marshes of Glynn Library on Gloucester Street in Brunswick from Tuesday, Oct. 6, through Tuesday, Oct. 13. Prizes and ribbons will be awarded as in the past. This year’s art contest theme is “Our Marvelous Marshes,” and students are encouraged to submit art that highlights the estuarine ecosystem that makes the Georgia coast so unique. New this year, the Division is holding an essay writing contest. Students from all grade levels are encouraged to write a 400-500 word short essay from the prompt: "What makes the Georgia Coast unique and what did I learn about it at Virtual CoastFest 2020?" Teachers, homeschooling parents and students can find more information, including submission guidelines and deadlines, at www.CoastalGaDNR.org/CoastFestEssay. Winners of both the art and essay contests will be announced Oct. 16 by press release and notification to the schools. CoastFest 2020 T-shirts, featuring art by Maleah Lavarias of Needwood Elementary School will be sold online. Sales will be available from a link at www.CoastalGaDNR.org/ CoastFest between Monday, Sept. 21, and Friday, Oct. 9. The cost is $10 plus shipping and handling. Please allow four to six weeks for delivery. The shirt is kelly green and features a mosaic sea turtle on the back with Virtual CoastFest 2020 logo on the front breast. The CoastFest website will also feature short videos from previous exhibitors, allowing them to highlight their programs and missions. Anyone with questions about Virtual CoastFest 2020 may contact Tyler Jones at (912) 262-3140 or tyler.jones@dnr.ga.gov. September 2020

Southern Tides Magazine

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The BitterEnd FUNdimentals of Reading By Captain J. Gary "Gator" Hill

Photo courtesy of the USACE

ere I am, at deadline once again, and instead of reading about writing, I’m writing about reading. Today we live in an age where our time spent reading has diminished. As with all things, I guess reading may have morphed to fit the age. Audiobooks seem to be a new trend, though one I haven’t quite warmed up to. It sort of reminds me of being in school and having a teacher or another student reading in Lit class. I’d find myself dozing off. Since I learned to read, at about the age of four or five, I guess I’ve preferred to do my own reading, thank you very much. I’ve touched on a few books and writers in past articles, and our editor Amy wrote about a wonderful series called Breakthrough by Michael Grumley. Some of us (and I'm including you, the reader, in this) still prefer the written page. However, I do find myself reading from my iPad often, but I’ve found that it is more often light reading or what I call mental bubblegum. In other words, generally fiction, and things to occupy my time. For more serious reading I still prefer printed copies. Sadly, due to the size of my apartment, I don’t have the space for the amount of books I would like to have. So with all this being said, I want to share a few books I think some of you may be interested in. One story (brought to my attention by Captain Dan Foulds who helped out with my column last year), is by Effingham county native Ruby A. Rahn, River Highway for Trade, the Savannah. It was published in 1968 by the Georgia Salzburger Society and can be downloaded from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers digital library here: bit.ly/river_highway. Just the opening pages give a nice little insight into the history of Savannah and this part of the lowcountry. Through the years I’ve read and forgotten so much of the rich history that is the core of my beloved lowcountry home. This short discourse by Mrs. Rahn gives us the origin of the name Savannah (by the Shawnee Indians in South Carolina, close to the river’s headwaters) and on the robust marine trade industry of the early days. Sometimes when reading I just want to cut to the chase, so I find myself picking up short reads of less than a hundred pages, and at times less than fifty. A recent purchase was General Francis Marion: Irregular Life of an Irregular Warrior, set a bit north of us in South Carolina. The Fox has always been a hero of mine and was the original Special Forces/Ranger of the Americas. If not for Marion and his constant plaguing of General Cornwallis, the outcome of the Revolutionary War may have been much different. The character of Benjamin Martin in the movie The Patriot was based greatly on Francis Marion, though maybe a little over the top as is the wont of film and TV. This short read by Craig Campbell is a great introduction to the legendary warrior. I know for some, history can seem dry. But to paraphrase an old adage, either read it and learn from it, or relive it. That said, not all historical characters were boring. I picked up a book that 30

I plan to gift to a lady friend of mine about Savannah’s own Mary Musgrove. Titled Queen of Savannah and written by Frances Patton Statham, it’s based on the daughter of an Englishman and a Native American who played a key role in the early settling of Savannah and the Georgia coast. Though I haven’t read it, I have skimmed through it and think it would be a great insight that might encourage a deeper study of this outstanding woman. I also want to touch on Buddy Sullivan – I have a few of his books. This author, born in Mcintosh County, is a treasure trove of information and insights on the Georgia coast, with 21 or more books and essays. I find myself drawn to his writings. As some of you are aware, northern money played a key role in preserving some of our barrier islands. From Jekyll Island to Sapelo, Ossabaw and Wassaw islands, and Mr. Sullivan does a fantastic job of telling the story of why these places still exist in a mostly preserved and pristine condition. Possibly my favorite is his Georgia Tidewater Companion which I believe to be the seminal piece on Georgia lowcountry history. One last thing before closing. I recommend reading The Creature From Jekyll Island. No, it’s not a horror story! Well maybe it is, but it’s about the fateful November 10, 1910 meeting that forever changed America’s financial system. A lot can be learned about our beautiful coast from the pages of books, so make time to do some reading of your own. Till next time, Peace and Love, Shrimp and Grits … I'll see you on the water.!

Email: TheOriginalCaptainGator@gmail.com

Southern Tides Magazine

September 2020

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BURNSIDE ISLAND

435 Hunt Road

Southern Tides September 2020

Articles inside

Did You Know? Sheepshead

The Bitter End

Community Updates

Hurricane Gliders

Fishing News

Meet the Crew

Editor's Note

Exploring Coastal Ecosystems

Around the Reef

Thank You Community Partners