Southern Tides April 2019

all about the water

April 2019

CREW

Publisher/Editor Amy Thurman amy@southerntidesmagazine.com

Editorial Assistant Tovah Swan tovah@southerntidesmagazine.com

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

Around the Reef Columnist Michelle Riley michelle.riley@noaa.gov

Ebb & Flow Columnist Trey Leggett info@southerntidesmagazine.com

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

Contributing Writer Mike Sullivan mike.sullivan@skio.uga.edu

Contributing Writer Rick Lavender rick.lavender@dnr.ga.gov

Contributing Writer Tyler Jones tyler.jones@dnr.ga.gov

Copyright © 2015-2019

All content herein is copyright protected and may not be reproduced in whole or part without express written permission.

Southern Tides is a free magazine, published monthly, and can be found at multiple locations from St. Marys, GA, to Beaufort, SC. (912) 484-3611 info@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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Letters to the Editor: 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.

About the Cover: Wilson's Plover. See article on Shorebird Predator Control starting on page 16. Photo by Tim Keyes, GADNR WRD

ditor’s N ote

Spring has finally arrived! It’s evident in the beautifully blooming azaleas, so vivid after winter’s duller tones it almost hurts to look at them. Also by fragrant wisteria scenting the air, the hints of fresh green spartina emerging in the marsh, and whether we like it or not, by the yellow tint of pollen covering everything and the 30-degree temperature changes between breakfast and lunch.

But it’s also evident by my inbox.

After months of relative quiet, emails are now pouring in listing upcoming events, invitations for field trips, news to be shared, and requests for advertising and subscription information. It seems our coastal area has come out of hibernation, yawned, stretched and jumped right into the familiar swing of warm weather. And I for one couldn’t be happier!

We have a lot going on in this issue. For one thing, we’ve done a little rearranging in an effort to maximize both content space and to offer premium advertising space. You’ll notice that the first few pages are now being offered to our advertisers. This is necessary to the growth and health of the magazine, and we’ll make sure the ads are relevant and fit the tone and purpose of Southern Tides.

You’ll also notice that several ads have been redesigned and more will follow next month with the hope of keeping the advertisements as fresh and interesting as the content. Please be sure to tell our advertisers that you noticed the changes! And if you’d like information on advertising your business in Southern Tides, please reach out to me. Even our premium page rates are highly competitive.

As to this month’s content, it was a challenge to fit it all in, but we’ve tried to bring you as much as these pages will hold. Both the What’s Going On event listings and the Community Updates sections are back, as promised, as is Did You Know?, and we have numerous articles on subjects of interest in our coastal community.

There’s a lot more coming in the next few months, too. We’ve decided

Azaleas in bloom

Marsh grass greening

to devote next month’s May issue to paddling — kayaking, kayak fishing, SUP and canoeing. If you own a paddling-related business and you haven’t heard from me, please reach out immediately. We want to include you!

Throughout the summer, look for articles on The Lodge on Little St. Simons Island, the artisans and experiences of Daufuskie Island, Part III of the Sapelo Island series about the island’s people, new DNR logbook articles, and much more.

Lastly, I want to remind everyone to please participate in our online reader poll. We’re making changes and want not only your input, but also an understanding of how you read the magazine and where your interests lie. Please visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/ST_ Reader_Poll.

We hope you enjoy this issue and that you make time to get out in this amazing place we all love, support the organizations and businesses that make Southern Tides Magazine possible, and of course, get on the water!

See you out there!

Getting Slimed E bb & F low

"Go fishing,” they said.

“You’ll have a blast,” they said.

So I did, and I’ve been in love with fishing ever since I was a kid. The only inconvenience that has bugged me over the years is getting fish slime on my hands and clothing after wrangling in a fish. I adapted just like all anglers have and keep a hand towel close by to clean my hands off. If the fish were big enough to keep, they went into the Engel cooler and if they weren’t, they went back to the water to grow up. Seemed like I was doing the right things to enjoy fish at mealtime and do my part at conservation. What little did I know.

As I grew older, I began to learn more about the fish I was targeting. Their habitats, what they ate, how they pursued their prey, their reproduction and their behaviors were all important to me in my quest to understand them and have more successful fishing trips.

What I failed to learn until a few short years ago was the biological makeup of fish. Of course, when I was young, I was always told not to touch the gills of fish because that was how they breath, but I didn’t understand how the gills worked. Studying the basic biology of fish led to learning about their slime coat and how vital it is to keeping fish healthy.

Just about every species of fish in fresh and saltwater have a slime coating. Some fish have very little slime and it’s barely noticeable, but some fish have so much it’s like something out of a horror film. Fish slime is produced when proteins secreted through the skin interact with the water. Fish slime has various advantages for the normal function, health, and protection of fish. Some fish have slime that acts as a defense for them and still others use their slime as an offensive weapon.

Slime helps fish move through the water with ease, much like our vehicles or boats after they’ve received a good wax job or a new coat of bottom paint. It also protects fish from ectoparasites and bacteria. Fish slime is also believed to aid a fish in healing after receiving a skin injury. I know that many of us have joked around about putting fish slime on a cut finger or sunburn to help the healing process, and there may be some truth in it, though I don’t recommend you try this at home! Fish rely on their slime coat to help their bodies regulate sodium content and the release of gases in their bodies. Some fish have slime that can immobilize their prey or have toxins in their slime to protect them from predators.

For at least the past decade, fishermen have been changing their habits in handling fish in order to preserve this slime coat. Fish landing nets have morphed into rubber coated net baskets to protect the fish. Anglers have been wetting their hands prior to handling fish, and some anglers use lip grippers or refuse to remove the fish from the water unless it’s going into the fish cooler.

It may seem like a little thing, but fish have a better chance of survival after being caught if the angler is more knowledgeable about them and careful in the way fish are handled.

The next time you get slimed maybe you’ll remember that slime

is a protective barrier to benefit the daily activities and protection of fish. On that note, don’t neglect your own protective barrier that protects you from disease and infection, as well as enables you to perform your daily activities … your skin. Our skin is a durable living structure that needs care to function properly. Use 50 SPF sunscreen, wear a cap or hat, wear a long sleeved shirt and pants and whatever else you need to do to protect yourself from extended periods in the sunlight and harsh elements.

Stay safe and tight lines.

Trey fishes for Hobie Polarized Sunglasses and ENGEL Coolers.

Email: info@southerntidesmagazine.com

A round the Reef

If robots had Olympics, it would look a lot like the Gray’s Reef Southeast Regional Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) ROV Competition. Imagine working on something for an entire year and throwing it into a pool of water for 15 minutes. It might sound crazy, but it’s not. Student teams from all over Georgia and neighboring states are putting their hard work to the test in a contest that is anything but common!

The competition requires students to construct tethered underwater robots — called Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) — from the ground up, and then requires them to perform tasks modeled after real-life scenarios in the ocean workplace. Teams composed of students in middle, junior and high school are able to choose from four different classes of competition that are defined by skill level, not age. The program demands excellence from well-rounded teams. In order to win, teams not only must build and successfully pilot an underwater robot, but also must create a hypothetical company to market and sell their ROV. Students prepare posters, product spec sheets, safety procedures, design abstracts and sometimes even business cards to present to working professionals who serve as contest judges.

Gray’s Reef staff have hosted the event for the past 15 years and are now passing the torch to the charitable nonprofit foundation that supports the work of the sanctuary. Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Foundation was founded in 2014 and is chaired by Cathy Sakas, who is well known in Savannah as a naturalist and biologist. Luke Roberson serves as the foundation’s regional event coordinator and is working on building props for the student ROV pilots to use at this year’s competition. Roberson understands and emphasizes the importance of the competition in relation to Gray’s Reef. “We want to show them the value of Gray’s Reef and the importance of protecting it and seeing how the intersection of technology and the environment can really work together in research and development.”

Worldwide, the competition’s hypothetical “missions” are created by the MATE Center in California. This year’s mission focuses on the role ROVs can play inshore within rivers, lakes and dams in Eastern Tennessee. Each team must meet three challenges. The first is to simulate inspecting a dam that has been structurally damaged. The dam has suffered multiple cracks due to sinkholes formed by limestone, and the ROV must be carefully piloted to identify, count, and map the problem areas. Next, the teams must help maintain healthy waterways by simulating a water-quality testing scenario.

“The students have to fly their ROVs down and collect water samples, and then actually bring the samples to the surface for pH, phosphate, oxygen and other testing,” Roberson says. Finally, competitors’ ROVs lift simulated cannons to the surface for inspection. That challenge comes from real researchers finding old Civil War cannons in the rivers of Eastern Tennessee!

The student design engineers must create a robot that is strong enough to lift a cannon, but gentle and agile enough to inspect cracks and take water samples. Brains and brawn are required for total success! Each of the tasks has specific regulations, too. “There’s a lot of rules,” Roberson adds with a grin. Gray’s Reef sanctuary staff and volunteers also play a substantial role in the competition. “They provide a lot of infrastructure and guidance for us,” Roberson says. “You’ve had people who have designed and built ROVs here at the sanctuary. We’ll also have divers from the sanctuary at the competition, resetting mission stations.”

Students completing the challenges also will gain great experience at selling their ideas. “It’s not only engineering [skills], the students have to market their ideas and view themselves as entrepreneurs,” Roberson says. “They not only have to look at the challenges, look at engineering

solutions, but they also have to market their solutions as if they were going to pitch a government contractor or a corporation. It’s one thing to engineer and design things, but it’s a whole other thing to sell yourself. They’re not only going into a job market with the skills to solve the problem, but they can also talk to people about how they solve the problem.”

Roberson says the goal of the competition is to “instill respect and value for the environment. That’s something they can take with them no matter where they go.” The Gray’s Reef Southeast Regional MATE ROV Competition is an experience that can help students pursue goals in advancing marine technology, and in turn support the health of our beautiful ocean planet.

For more information, email: michelle.riley@noaa.gov or call (912) 598-2345

Angler Surveys Begin

year. These interviews will be conducted at coastal boat ramps, marinas, docks, piers and beaches. All anglers who are returning from charter fishing trips, private boat trips and those fishing from the shoreline are eligible to take part in the survey. The APAIS works in tandem with two other surveys — the For-Hire Telephone Survey and the Fishing Effort Survey — to give Coastal Resources Division staff a snapshot of marine fisheries. The ForHire Telephone Survey specifically targets charter fishing, while the Fishing Effort Survey provides effort estimates for private boat and shore anglers and is conducted via U.S. mail

Participation in all of these surveys is voluntary, but Franco said it is important that anglers take part in each of the surveys if selected.

Staff members from the Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources are in the field again this year gathering important data about fishing activity.

The Access Point Angler Intercept Survey, or APAIS, is a survey conducted annually by CRD in conjunction with the National Marine Fisheries Service. This survey helps create estimates for recreational saltwater finfish populations, as well as the number of fishing trips on Georgia’s coast.

"CRD is tasked with managing Georgia’s marine fisheries and the survey is a tool for measuring the health of fish populations," explained Dawn Franco, a marine biologist with CRD. The survey helps CRD achieve its mission to provide fishing opportunities on the coast.

“All of the information we gather helps us monitor fishing activity and assess the removals from the fishery,” Franco said. “It gives us the data we need to track changes in fish populations over the years. We also collect biological data such as length and weight of harvested fish. Our goal is to collect the best data we possibly can in hopes of providing marine fisheries managers with a reliable source of information when making management recommendations.”

Researchers will interview about 2,500 Georgia anglers this

“We definitely value anglers’ privacy,” she said. “We use the information we gather to understand the fishery and make sure it’s conserved for the future. We’re not going to share where your favorite fishing spot is, and we’re not law enforcement. We’re strictly collecting data, and it’s 100 percent confidential.”

"Higher levels of survey participation help generate less biased and more accurate data," Franco added.

One change to this year’s survey is a transition from penciland-paper to tablet-based data collection. Surveyors will ask participants about what fish they were hoping to catch, details about what fish they caught, the duration of the fishing trip and other important details.

The survey effort in Georgia is part of a much larger effort to collect data about saltwater fisheries along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. States from Maine to Georgia and from Florida to Mississippi are conducting the same survey. The information will be used by NOAA, regional fisheries management councils, interstate fisheries commissions, state agencies and other groups involved in the management of fisheries.

For more information, visit: coastalgadnr.org/DataCollectionAndSurveys or call (912) 262-3140.

A member of GADNR Coastal Resources Division speaks to an angler while conducting the Access Point Angler Intercept Survey.

The calving season for North Atlantic right whales has wrapped up, and the results are a mixed bag, according to GADNR senior wildlife biologist Clay George. Surveys this winter off the Georgia/north Florida coast — the only known calving grounds for the imperiled species — documented seven calves. That’s a whale of an improvement over winter 2017-2018, when for the first time in three decades of monitoring no calves were seen. But the season still fell far shy of the 15 to 20 calves needed to sustain the population.

The count won’t be finalized until fall, as researchers continue searching for additional calves this spring and summer where the whales feed off New England and Canada. George, who leads right whale research and monitoring for the DNR, said he’s hopeful survey teams missed some calves in the Southeast this winter, particularly with the partial government shutdown grounding some flights in January. “Every calf counts,” he added.

Calf counts — and the right whale population in general — have been trending downward since 2010. The estimated number of right whales has fallen from approximately 475 to 425 in the past five years. The recovery of the species faces significant hurdles; namely, ship strikes, entanglement in commercial fishing rope and warming ocean temperatures that are shifting the distribution of zooplankton on which the whales feed in New England and Canada.

Survey flights in the Southeast will resume this December.

For more on the GADNR’s conservation work with right whales and other nongame wildlife, visit georgiawildlife.com/conservation/annualreport.

Whale Season Recap

Background photo: Two adult female right whales traveling together 20 miles southeast of Tybee Island, Ga., on Dec. 12, 2018. Right whale #2503,nicknamed Boomerang (below), is 23 years old and last calved in 2014. Her companion, #3808 “Magnet” (opposite page), is ten years old and has no prior calving history. A pair of adult female whales were a welcome sight following the 2018 season when zero calves were documented.

Photo by Sea to Shore Alliance, taken under NOAA permit #20556-01

Photo above: North Atlantic right whale No. 2791 and her 2-week-old calf swim south about six miles east of Amelia Island on Jan. 7. The calf was born between Dec. 23 and 28, likely off the coast of Georgia or northeastern Florida. The mom, known by her photo-ID catalog number, is at least 22 years old. This is her third known calf. The photo was taken by whale researchers from the GADNR and Sea to Shore Alliance, federally permitted to be within the 500-yard protective zone around this endangered species.

Photo by Georgia DNR, taken under NOAA Research Permit #20556-01

Protecting Shorebirds from Predators

For shorebirds on Georgia beaches, nesting and rearing chicks requires surviving a gauntlet of threats. Some of the deadliest come with fur: raccoons and coyotes.

But using National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funding, scientists at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have documented ways to limit the impact these four-pawed predators have on two shorebird species of concern, Wilson’s plover and American oystercatcher. One welcomed result has been more productive nesting seasons for both, according to project leader Tim Keyes of DNR.

“In both cases, we moved the needle on one of the three biggest threats for shorebirds,” Keyes said.

Those top three threats are tides washing over nests, human disturbance and predation by mammals. The Atlantic Flyway Shorebird Initiative, an international effort to stem shorebird declines from the Arctic to Argentina, has been working on these and other issues for years. The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has provided key support, including in Georgia. Known to many as NFWF, the foundation was chartered by Congress to connect federal, corporate and other partners for conservation.

Keyes said DNR’s current grant has helped survey for banded

oystercatchers and map horseshoe crab spawning areas (the eggs are a critical food for federally listed red knots). Yet another highlight has been research by staff and a University of Georgia graduate student of non-lethal methods to curb predation of Wilson’s plovers nesting on Little St. Simons Island and oystercatchers on Cumberland Island.

For the past two years, UGA’s Lauren Gingerella has put screen cages over about 50 of the 200 Wilson’s plover nests she has monitored on private Little St. Simons. The cages let birds in but kept raccoons out.

“Both years, nests with the enclosures hatched and fledged significantly more chicks,” Keyes said.

While cages increasing nest success seems a given, Keyes, a biologist with DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section, explained that other questions were involved, such as would the screening cause parents to abandon a nest or actually draw predators to eggs and chicks usually hidden by natural camouflage.

The work on Cumberland Island National Seashore took a different tack: six oystercatcher nests were circled with solarpowered electric fencing to ward off coyotes (a leading predator not found on Little St. Simons) and raccoons. DNR and National Park Service staff monitored the nests.

Although the sample size was small, five of the six nests fledged chicks, seven total. For comparison, only two chicks survived Cumberland’s coyotes and racoons in 2017, and none some years before. In 2018, however, the island accounted for more than a 10th of Georgia’s record high of 61 oystercatcher chicks.

Keyes emphasized that these approaches aren’t for every site, and coyotes and raccoons often adapt and determine new ways to prey on shorebirds and nests. “There is no single silver bullet for predators.”

But with American oystercatchers, it’s clear that “in the right situation we can use non-lethal predator management to significantly increase productivity,” he said. For Wilson’s plovers, the insight from the use of exclosures adds another tool for conserving these birds and their offspring from predators.

Below:

Help by contributing to the state’s Nongame Wildlife Conservation Fund:

• Buy or renew a DNR eagle or hummingbird license plate. Most of the fees are dedicated to wildlife. Upgrade to a wild tag for only $25! Details at www.georgiawildlife.com/licenseplates.

• Donate at www.gooutdoorsgeorgia.com. Click “Licenses and Permits” and log in to give. (New customers can create an account.) There’s even an option to round-up for wildlife.

• Contribute to the Wildlife Conservation Fund when filing state income taxes – line 30 on form 500 or line 10 on form 500EZ. Giving is easy and every donation helps.

• Donate directly to the agency. Learn more at www.georgiawildlife.com/donations.

Ages: 6 - 12

JEKYLL ISLAND SUMMER CAMPS

JEKYLL ISLAND AUTHORITY

Four week-long camps, grouped by age. Each camp provides a campt t-shirt, daily boxed lunch and a visit to Summer Waves Water Park!

Multiple dates, June - July 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. jekyllisland.com/activities-category/summer-camps

Waterman's

Beach exploration, learning about coastal flora and fauna and coastal ecosystems makes for fun and educational camps!

Photo provided by Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Ages: 6 - 11

TYBEE ISLAND MARINE SCIENCE CENTER

Kids learn about different marine and freshwater animals native to coastal Georgia. Each module covers a different animal, including sharks, crabs and dolphins!

Tybee Island, Ga. May 20 - Aug 2 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m; 1 - 4 p.m.; or both modules www.tybeemarinescience.org

$30 per module + $10 opptional aftercare

Ages: 6 - 14

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Long Term Recovery Plans for Coastal Counties

Safe

These plans can help long-term recovery efforts after events like Hurricane Irma.

Two Southeast Georgia counties recently began developing new plans to manage long-term recovery and redevelopment after catastrophic disasters.

In recent months, McIntosh and Liberty counties kicked off the creation of their Disaster Recovery and Redevelopment Plans (DRRP) in conjunction with the GADNR Coastal Resources Division (CRD).

“These plans are aimed at guiding coastal recovery and redevelopment after hurricanes, wildfire, or other major natural disasters,” said Jennifer Kline, a coastal hazards specialist with CRD.

“It’s critical that our coastal communities are prepared to adapt and reduce vulnerabilities, because it’s not about if a natural disaster hits, it’s when,” Kline said. “These plans help decision-makers plan for changes from sea-level rise, coastal storms and marine debris hazards. It’s a document that can be used to guide the recovery process and rebuild our communities stronger and more resilient than before.”

NOAA is funding the planning process through grants awarded to CRD’s Coastal Management Program. Already, Chatham, Brantley, Glynn, Camden and Charlton counties have completed their DRRPs.

Dennis Jones, director of the Chatham County Emergency Management Agency (CEMA), said he was glad his county completed the plan and it gave him insight into what to expect after a major disaster.

“This is a completely different planning process,” he said. “Typically, we’re planning for the initial response to a disaster, but it’s the recovery that’s the long-term investment. With this long-term plan, our focus was to get all the partners engaged in recovery, because that’s where the rubber meets the road.”

In crafting a DRRP, Kline and other CRD staff members invite community stakeholders to raise their concerns and unique challenges in long-term recovery. School boards, housing authorities, emergency responders, historical societies, business owners and a slew of other parties are invited to the table during the planning process.

“That’s important because we want to know what the boots-on-the-ground work will be after a disaster,” Kline said. “Rebuilding a community is a monumental challenge and having a wide variety of partners involved from the inception of the plan is key to its success.”

Every community’s plan will be different. In some cases, the plan may encourage changes in building codes or guidance on shoreline resiliency. In other cases, a community may decide it’s best to retreat from a shifting shoreline.

“That’s the beauty of these plans, that they’re not one-size-fits-all,” Kline said. “Every community is different, with different strengths and challenges, so every DRRP is different.”

Joey Brown, county manager for Liberty County, said he was excited for his area to begin crafting its DRRP.

“The challenge is in the recovery,” he said. “But putting all the pieces together, and identifying the sectors that it’s going to take will help. Maybe there are things we can do to be more resilient that we haven’t thought about before. Hopefully, we can integrate this as we go forward.”

By 2020, all ocean-facing counties in Georgia, along with the next tier of counties inland will have a DRRP in place. Once all 11 counties are complete, Georgia will be the first state in the country to have an entire coastline with resiliency and recovery plans in place.

For more information or to view already completed DRRPs, visit www.coastalGADNR.org/DRRP or call 912-262-3140.

Oysters and Algae A Marine Murder Mystery

The A-team of University of Georgia investigators is working on a murder mystery — not your everyday who-done-it, but one in which the investigators are scientists, and the victims are thousands of tiny oyster larvae.

The mystery began in the summer of 2017 at the UGA Shellfish Research Laboratory, a unit of UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant on Skidaway Island near Savannah. The shellfish lab is leading a movement to develop oyster aquaculture in Georgia and operates the state’s only oyster hatchery.

One day, as they frequently do, the oyster hatchery team changed the water in the tanks containing oyster larvae. The team pumped water from the Skidaway River behind the lab and ran it through filters before introducing it to the larvae tanks. At this stage in their life cycle the oysters are free swimmers — not having developed a shell or attached to any surface — and they are tiny, only a tenth of a millimeter in diameter. When the team arrived at work the following day, they were shocked.

“We came in the next day and we had lost 80 to 90 percent of our larvae,” Tom Bliss, director of the shellfish lab, said. “The day before, they were perfectly healthy, then overnight they went.”

They quickly concluded the mortality must have been connected to the water change, but they had no idea what substance or organism in the water was responsible. To find some answers, they approached UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography researcher Elizabeth Harvey. Harvey’s research focuses on one likely culprit — microscopic marine algae known as phytoplankton. She and her students regularly and frequently sample and test water from the river.

“We thought this was interesting, because we like algae in general,” Harvey said. “But we also thought we could help the shellfish lab answer some of their questions.”

Sean Anderson, a UGA graduate student and a member of Harvey’s team, was in the middle of a lengthy project to collect and study phytoplankton samples from the Skidaway River on a weekly basis. Coincidentally, Anderson had collected samples the same day as the water change. He observed a large concentration of a particular phytoplankton species, akashiwo sanguinea, which is considered a harmful algal species. Some algae species produce toxins that are harmful to other marine life, and some can produce large blooms, like the red tide phenomena that has closed beaches and caused other problems in Florida.

Armed with that information, Harvey obtained additional data from the Phytoplankton Monitoring Network, a group of UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant volunteers who collect and monitor water samples from the Skidaway River for phytoplankton and harmful algal blooms on a weekly basis.

“We were able to match other times when the hatchery has seen similar events with times when the phytoplankton volunteers observed high concentrations of that particular algae,” Harvey said.

Harvey and Bliss are fairly certain they have found the source of the problem, but they are still unclear how the algae are harming the oyster larvae, and, more importantly, how to prevent it in the future. This particular species of algae does produce a toxin. It also produces a sticky substance that has killed birds during blooms on the west coast by damaging the water proofing on their feathers.

“We don’t know if the oysters are ingesting the algae and the toxin along with it, or if the algae is getting broken apart in the filtration process,” Harvey said. “Or if this sticky substance is the problem.”

Identifying the phytoplankton that is the source of the problem is just the beginning. There are many unanswered questions. Does this algae species also affect oysters in the wild? What prompts an algae bloom? What is the actual killing agent affecting the oyster larvae? Is there a pattern to the blooms?

If a bloom can be predicted, the hatchery team can take preventative steps to protect their oyster crop. “If we know there is going to be a bloom, we can avoid bringing in water,” Bliss said. “We need to know if the toxin breaks down after 24 or 48 hours, or if there is a way to filter it out.”

Luckily, oyster consumers are safe. Harvey notes that the algae is not harmful to people who eat oysters that have been exposed to the algae.

Harvey and Bliss plan to continue to research the issue. Harvey believes it is important to follow up with additional work, because there is no data about algal blooms in Georgia. “It would be nice to have some baseline knowledge of things that are happening here before it gets to be a serious problem,” she said. “That is the ultimate goal of scientists, to understand a system before we need to understand it, and it’s rare that we get a chance to do that.”

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Taste of the Tides

Blue Crab Rangoon

Crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, this appetizer is sure to impress your friends, family and guests. With crab season in full swing here in the lowcountry, what better way to celebrate our delicious Georgia blue crabs than with this takeout favorite? Catch them yourself or visit your local seafood market!

INGREDIENTS

1 cup (8oz) cooked crabmeat, shredded

1 cup (8oz) cream cheese (room temperature)

2 green onions, thinly sliced (divided)

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

½ tsp powdered ginger

1 package of wonton wrappers water

2 cups vegetable oil (not olive oil)

Dipping Sauce: ¼ cup soy sauce

2 tsp chili sauce (adjust to taste) 1 tsp honey ½ tsp powdered ginger

DIRECTIONS

• Prepare dipping sauce: in a small bowl, stir together sauce ingredients. Chill if desired.

• In a medium bowl, mix together crab meat, cream cheese, half of the sliced green onions (or more to taste), garlic, Worchestershire sauce, and powdered ginger. Stir until well mixed.

• Squirrelfish, Holocentrus adscensionis, are found in waters from North Carolina to Brazil and along the coast of Africa. Although they can survive in depths of up to about 590 feet, they’re typically found in depths of less than 100 feet.

• They’re quite colorful with reddish backs and faces and gold coloring on their dorsal fins. They also have very distinctive large dark eyes. They typically reach around nine inches in length, but have been reported as long as 24 inches.

• Squirrefish are nocturnal, hiding under ledges and crevices during the day and scouring reefs and sandy bottoms for prey at night.

• They dine mostly on meroplankton — crab and shrimp larvae and other small crustaceans — using long, thin teeth on the jaw and roof of the mouth.

• Although squirrelfish are edible, they are not sought after commercially. They are sometimes sold for aquarium fish, due to both color and hardiness.

• Spoon about 1 tsp of the filling mixture onto the center of a wonton wrapper. Very gently rub the edges of the wrapper with water. Fold the wrapper drawing all four corners up together, and gently press edges together to create a seal. Make sure there is no air trapped in the wonton — air pockets could make the wonton explode in hot oil.

• In small batches, fry the wontons in hot oil until they are crispy and golden-brown. Remove from oil and drain on a paper towellined plate.

• Serve immediately with dipping sauce on side. Sprinkle with remaining green onion for garnish.

Squirrelfish are among the few fish species that communicate by making noise with their swim bladders?

Updates

Youth Birding Art Contest Winners Announced

Four budding bird artists have been selected as T-shirt Art Contest winners in Georgia’s 14th annual Youth Birding Competition. A barn owl drawing by Kaichen Guo, an 11th-grader at Lambert High School in Suwanee, led the contest’s recordbreaking group of 272 entries. As grand-prize winner, the 18-year-old will receive a $100 Michaels gift card and have his artwork featured on T-shirts at the Youth Birding Competition in late April.

Art contest coordinator Linda May praised participants and stressed that the focus “isn’t just about art.”

“It’s about teaching kids to observe and connect with nature,” said May, environmental outreach coordinator for DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section. “Birds are a great focus since they’re beautiful, fun to watch and easy to find.”

To encourage youth in wildlife conservation, awareness and appreciation of animals and their habitats is essential. The contest helps form that foundation through art.

Kaichen Guo’s art entry also led the art contest’s High School division. Other division winners included:

– Primary (pre-K through second grade): purple finch by Olivia Wang, 8, from The Westminster Schools in Atlanta.

– Elementary (third-fifth grade): cedar waxwing by Danhui (Hannah) Wang, 10, from Sharon Elementary in Suwanee.

– Middle School (sixth-eighth grade): bald eagle by Alston Li, 12, from Riverwatch Middle School in Suwanee.

Contest submissions represented 57 public, private and home schools statewide. Entries were judged by a four-person panel including a DNR biologist, two artists and a graphic designer. Judges do not see a participant’s name, school or hometown. All entries will be displayed and division winners honored during the awards

banquet April 27 at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center. The winner of a new award for the best artwork by a birding team participant waill also be revealed at the banquet.

The birding competition and T-shirt Art Contest are sponsored by DNR’s Wildlife Conservation Section, The Environmental Resources Network Inc. (TERN), – friends group of the Wildlife Conservation Section – and others, including the Georgia Ornithological Society and the Atlanta and Albany Audubon societies. To see the other T-shirt Art Contest winning entries, visit: https://bit.ly/2FTrF1V. For more on the Youth Birding Competition, visit: www.georgiawildlife.com/YBC

Fledgling Leaves the Nest

In mid-March, Wilmington Island resident Bear Moore noticed a large bird in a tree in his back yard. After observing the bird in the evenings for two days, he felt certain it was a juvenile bald eagle, and that the bird was injured, possibly entangled. Concerned for its ability to feed itself, Allen contacted a friend who put him in touch with another friend, wildlife biologist Tim Keyes, with the Georgia DNR. Also contacted was Shannon Marino, a drone operator with Zulu Marine who has specialized training in working with drones around protected or endangered species.

After verifying that the drone would stay at least 100 yards from the bird, Marino sent it up and shot footage just before losing the day’s light.

When the images as well as the location of the bird were passed on to Keyes, he determined that yes, it was an eagle, and in fact was one of two 12-week-old fledglings from a known nest nearby. The eaglet’s awkward movements and difficulty in flying were likely due to it leaving the nest too soon.

However, over that weekend, Moore was able to observe the parents bringing food to the younger bird and it making short flights as it tested out its new skills.

Over the following two weeks, both fledglings frequented the area as their flying and hunting skills began to improve.

If you should witness wildlife in distress, do not attempt to make contact in any way. Not only could it be dangerous to both you and the animal, but it could also be a crime. Instead contact 800-SAVE-ME.

SC Horseshoe Crab Sightings Wanted

Now is the season when one of the most fascinating animals on our coast comes ashore to spawn or lay eggs — and SCDNR biologists want your help finding them!

We're tracking the locations of spawning horseshoe crabs on South Carolina beaches to learn more about the habitats where they lay eggs. Your sightings will help us better understand and protect these unusual creatures, which play a critical role in human health and the coastal food chain.

If you've seen spawning horseshoe crabs recently, please take a few minutes to complete our online reporting form at bit.ly/sc_horseshoe_crabs.

The form should take approximately five minutes to complete. The information submitted will only be used to contact you in the event our biologists have follow-up questions. If you have any concerns or questions, please contact Kristin Hamilton at crms@dnr.sc.gov.

We’re working for you!

• Protects, defends and restores the watershed by monitoring pollution and polluters.

• Talks with legislators about bills that could better protect the watershed.

• The 14,000 miles of the Altamaha watershed includes Ocmulgee, Oconee, Ohopee and the Golden Isles.

We can’t do it without you, become a member now!

www.altamahariverkeeper.org

Shrimp & Grits

Festival Named

Best in the South

The Jekyll Island Authority’s Shrimp & Grits Festival won the Best Festival Award, along with three other awards, at the Southeast Festivals & Events Association’s (SFEA) Kaleidoscope Awards, in February. The awards celebrate events throughout the Southeast for their outstanding contributions to the industry and are part of SFEA’s annual convention, held this year in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.

“We are honored to be selected for the Best Festival Award from among more than 200 festivals in five states,” said Nancy Kring-Rowan, director of events at the JIA. “Our team’s dedication and imagination make the Shrimp and Grits Festival a memorable event for our guests every year. It’s gratifying to see their hard work recognized in this way.”

The Shrimp & Grits Festival also won gold awards for Best Festival or Event Website and Best Promotional Poster Award and a bronze award for Best Print Ad. The judges looked for originality, creativity, media impact, volunteer programs and the overall impact to the community, according to Lisa McCray, executive director for SFEA.

The 2019 Shrimp & Grits Festival is scheduled for Sept. 20-22. A coastal favorite, it combines the classic southern dish with family-friendly entertainment, artists market, live music, kids’ zone, food, a craft brew fest and more.

Boater Safety Course

Presented by the Georgia DNR and Chatham County Marine Patrol

This is a Georgia approved class, required for anyone born after January 1, 1998 to operate any vessel on Georgia waters. The course is instructed by CCMP and GA DNR Resource Rangers. It covers all required equipment and Georgia boating laws. All students must pass an exam and provide their social security number to receive the ID card.

Savannah Moose Lodge 2202 Norwood Aveue, Savannah 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (912) 264-7237

What’s Going On ...

May

2 Ocean to Table: Finfish

UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant Thursday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

The Fish Dock Bar & Grill, Townsend, Ga. kayla270@uga.edu gacoast.uga.edu/event/

April

20 Gopher Tortoise Conservation Field Trip

Coastal WildScapes

Saturday, 1 - 3 p.m.

Membership required Altama Plantation WMA, Glynn County, Ga. info@coastalwildscapes.org (912) 289-7736

20 Easter Egg Stroll

Jekyll Island Authority

Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Historic District, Jekyll Island, Ga. www.jekyllisland.com/event/ (912) 635-3636

24 Plant Identification Workshop

Coastal WildScapes

Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Altama Plantation WMA, Glynn County, Ga. info@coastalwildscapes.org (912) 289-7736

27 Tybee Turtle Trot 5K Beach Run

Tybee Island Marine Science Center Saturday, 7 a.m.

Tybee Pier and Pavilion, Tybee Island, Ga. www.tybeemarinescience.org (912) 785-5917

27 Grand Opening of Mosaic Museum of Jekyll Island, JIA Saturday, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 100 Stable Road, Jekyll Island, Ga. info@jekyllisland.com (912) 635-3636

30 Gray's Reef Advisory Council Meeting

Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary Tuesday, 10 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. McGowan Library, Skidaway Island, Ga. elliot.lam@noaa.gov (912) 598-2439

S3 Spring Outing: Okefenokee NWR Glynn Environmental Coalition Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Sunrise Diner, New Jessup Hwy, Brunswick, Ga. gec@glynnenvironmental.org (912) 466-0934

4 Blackshear Fishing Tournament

Satilla Riverkeeper Saturday, 12 - 4 p.m. (weigh-in) Blackshear City Park, Blackshear, Ga. www.satillariverkeeper.org/tournament.html

4 Cathead Creek Paddle

Coastal WildScapes w/Southeast Adventures Saturday, 8 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Membership required McIntosh County, Ga. info@coastalwildscapes.org (912) 289-7736

4 Summer Waves Opening Day Jekyll Island Authority Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Summer Waves Water Park, Jekyll Island, Ga. info@jekyllisland.com (912) 635-3636

11 Brunch & Learn: Habitat Certification

Coastal WildScapes Saturday, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Membership required Crooked River State Park, Camden County, Ga. info@coastalwildscapes.org (912) 289-7736

11 Teacher Workshop: Project Flying Wild UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant Saturday, 8 - 11 a.m. UGA Aquarium, Skidaway Island, Ga. gacoast.uga.edu/event/ kt.higgins@uga.edu

11 Spring Celebration: All About Birds UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant Saturday, 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. UGA Aquarium, Skidaway Island, Ga. gacoast.uga.edu/event/ kayla270@uga.edu (912) 598-3345

14 Evening at Skidaway

The Ocean - Earth's Medicine Cabinet UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. McGowan Library, Skidaway Island, Ga. mike.sullivan@skio.uga.edu (912) 298-2325

18 Coastal Plain Ecosystem Tour

For information on including your organization's events, please email: info@southerntidesmagazine.com

Coastal WildScapes Saturday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. Membership required McIntosh County, Ga. info@coastalwildscapes.org (912) 289-7736

Ongoing

Altama Plantation Workday

Georgia DNR

3rd Friday every month, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Altama Plantation, Hwy 99, Brunswick, Ga. eamonn.leonard@dnr.ga.gov

Boater Safety Course

Chatham Co. Marine Patrol & GADNR

3rd Saturday every month, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Savannah Moose Lodge, Savannah, Ga. Register at gooutdoorsgeorgia.com (912) 264-7237

Creature Feeding

Port Royal Sound Foundation

Select Saturdays, 2 p.m.

PRSF Maritime Center, Lemon Island, S.C. Sarah Walbert (843) 645-7774

swalbert@portroyalsoundfoundation.org

Eco-boat Cruise

Port Royal Sound Foundation

Last Saturday every month, 11 a.m.

PRSF Maritime Center, Lemon Island, S.C. Sarah Walbert (843) 645-7774

swalbert@portroyalsoundfoundation.org

Islands Farmer's Market

Every Saturday, March - June, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 401 Quarterman Rd at HWY 80 E

On the grounds of Lighthouse Baptist Church, Savannah, Ga.

islandsfarmersmarket@gmail.com

islandsfarmersmarketmanager@gmail.com

Isle of Hope Pavilion Series

Isle of Hope Marina

Fourth Saturday of every month, 6:30 - 10 p.m. Isle of Hope Marina, Savannah, Ga. (912) 354-8187 www.iohmarina.com

Movie on the Green

Jekyll Island Authority

Last Saturday every month, 8:30 p.m. Beach Village, Jekyll Island, Ga. info@jekyllisland.com (912) 635-3636

Sea Camp

Tybee Island Marine Science Center

Daily, May 27 - Aug. 2, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 1509 Strand Avenue, Tybee Island, Ga. www.tybeemarinescience.org (912) 785-5917

Toast to the Coast - First Friday Happy Hour

Sapelo Hammock Golf Club

First Friday every month, 5 - 8 p.m. Shellman Bluff, Ga.

sapelohammockgolfclub.com (912) 832-4653

Tuesday Talks - Guest Experts

Port Royal Sound Foundation

Select Tuesdays, 5:30 - 7 p.m.

PRSF Maritime Center, Lemon Island, S.C. Sarah Walbert (843) 645-7774

swalbert@portroyalsoundfoundation.org

T he Bitter End

Choosing the Right Charter

Recently I was making my rounds on social media (Facebook) and one of my friends had shared a link from the Tampa Bay area about the Coast Guard cracking down on illegal charter boat operators.

Each year hundreds of thousands of people book charters for fishing trips, eco-tours, dolphin tours and a myriad of other activities. But how do you know you’re stepping on the right boat? How do you know the charter you’re considering is a real charter service? Sometimes it may seem like trying to navigate treacherous reef-lined islands, so I’m going to try to un-muddy the waters.

It doesn’t matter what kind of charter you’re booking, from wakeboard/skiing adventures to fossil hunting, to inshore or offshore fishing charters, they all MUST share a few basic requirements. Our focus today comes down to the person running the boat — the captain.

On all charters the captain of the vessel must have a license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard. Captains who can offer trips for up to six people are required to have an OUPV — an Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessel license, also known as a six-pack license.

Though the vessel is not inspected by the Coast Guard, there is nothing bad or negative in this class of charter. “Coast Guard Inspected Vessels” are typically larger boats that carry more passengers and have certain safety requirements to meet, such as hand rails at appropriate heights. Their captains are required to have a different license as well and we’ll look at that in part two of this column, next month.

But back to our six-pack captains and small boat charters. Even smaller vessels should be shipshape, meaning the boat should appear to be in good working order, and with all safety gear in place and also in good working order. That means things such as the appropriate Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs), or lifejackets. These should be the right type and sized according to the personnel on the boat. Different states have different age requirements for PFDs — in Georgia, children 13 and under must wear life jackets. In S.C., the age is 12 and under, while in Florida its six and under. The boat should also hold items such as throwable cushions or life rings in case of man overboard, fire extinguishers, flares and first aid kits.

The focus of the article I read online was dealing with fishing charters, so I’m going to touch on that for a moment. Many of you have been on vacation and gone on deep-sea charters. Often times in busy areas you can walk onto the docks at marinas and find captains sitting on the backs of their boats just waiting on someone to inquire about a charter. There is nothing wrong or shady about this way of doing business — that’s just how it works in some areas — however this is how many supposed captains, who may not be licensed, are able to snare unsuspecting clients.

So how do we avoid becoming ensnared in this, and why

should we care?

A prudent way to start off is just talking with your potential charter captain for a few minutes and ask questions. Listen to your gut instincts, but even if the talk sounds good, ask to see their credentials. If they waffle or say, “Um, I left them at home!” that’s a warning flag. We licensed captains always carry our “ticket” with us, just in case we’re stopped by the Coast Guard or DNR or the marine patrol.

Next, some form of commercial insurance is a must. This protects you and your charter companions in case of injury or death. If the captain only has a personal insurance policy, you may not be covered.

The last one is another mandatory for all professional boat operators/captains, and that is being in a recognized drug consortium. What the heck is that you may ask? It means the captain has been tested and found to be drug free and is in a “pool” whereby they can be randomly tested.

What it all comes down to is being proactive rather than reactive when choosing a captain, and knowing in advance what you’re getting yourself into. In my opinion, any professional who has nothing to hide should not balk at any of these questions or at being asked to show proof.

I’d also like to add that if these captains have websites and social media pages, as well as active and current online review sources like Trip Advisor, they tend to be legal — meaning they’re not trying to fly below the radar. This does NOT mean a captain without an online presence is a risk! Some folks just don’t delve into the online world.

By no means is any of this meant to reflect negatively on sixpack operators — there are many outstanding charter captains who play by the rules, many of whom I consider close friends. My point is just don’t be too anxious to jump on the first boat you come across.

Look for part two next month, on master licenses and big boat charters.

As always, I’ll see you on the water.

BURNSIDE ISLAND OMG!! 4BRs, 3BAs. That is all you can say about these views over the marsh and Vernon River. The sunsets alone are breathtaking. This traditional Low Country home is located on 2.8 acres and has views out of every window. Inground pool and screened porch overlooking the view as well. This estate is perfect for the discerning owner with privacy and lots of potential for gardens or a family compound. Burnside Island is a unique island with single family homes and lots of walking, riding, etc. Golf cart approved island. Owner may apply for membership in the Burnside Island Yacht Club on the Intracoastal Waterway. $749,900

RICHMOND HILL

WILMINGTON ISLAND

364

This beautiful three BR/2B home is located on a lagoon. It has a wonderful open floorplan open to DR and kitchen. Wood burning fireplace and soaring ceilings. Stainless appliances. The master bedroom is huge with plenty of room for extra sitting area. Large walk in closet. Sprinkler system and tons of storage. The amenities are easily accessible. Walking trails, community pool and playground. Everything your family could desire in the Main Street subdivision of Richmond Hill. The schools are just down the road. $190,000

VERNONBURG

Perfect home situated on 1.5 acres with beautiful marsh and deep water views. Amazing master suite on the main floor with luxurious bath and huge closet. Two additonal bedrooms on this floor plus two BRs and baths upstairs. Very open floor plan featuring living room, great room, office, dining room, breakfast area and fantastic kitchen. Beautiful hardwood and porcelain floors. Lovely patio. You will fall in love. $639,900

WHITEMARSH ISLAND

The Marshes subdivision

This 3BD 3BA is a wonderful place to call home. Large open rooms with two bedrooms on the first floor, great room and family room off of kitchen. Add a screened porch and deck to enhance the amazing marsh views. The second floor has a large bonus room, third bedroom and a bath. Lots of amenities to include a community pool, community dock, and common areas. $375,000

WINDSOR FOREST

This wonderful family home is one of the nicest in Berkshire Woods. Ranch style with three bedrooms and two baths. The master bath has been redone and has an awesome shower. Two master closets. Newly painted throughout. New roof, water heater and newer HVAC. Huge lot on the LaVida golf course. Large bonus room, craft room and workshop. Parquet floors. Just unpack and settle in. $239,000

This wonderful four BR/3B home is waiting for your family. It is close to all schools and shopping. Two master suites on the first floor and both are overlooking a private backyard and screened porch. Hardwood floors throughout the home. Newer HVAC systems and water heater. Sprinkler system was added for a lush yard. Additional lot located on the marsh for additional privacy and extra space. Have any children that like to build forts? This yard gives you plenty of room to do that. Convenient access to the beach or Historic District. Wonderful quiet Harbour Creek neighborhood. $499,000

ISLE OF HOPE

This wonderful 2 BD 2.5 BA home was originally the location of a dairy farm. Two buildings for living. One two story with a wonderful master suite upstairs with new bath and large closet. Separate “bunkhouse” has full bath, bedroom, kitchen and living area. They are joined by a cozy courtyard and expansive deck perfect for back yard enthusiasts. Large detached workshop and several outdoor storage buildings. Welcome to Isle of Hope! Walk everywhere. To the marina, to the community pool, along Bluff Drive with views of the Intracoastal Waterway. The community is one the few golf cart approved areas. This special historic home is for the lover of beautiful and unique properties. Perfect for second residence or investment. $389,000

MIDTOWN

Wow!! No lots like this in Parkside. 4 total lots with amazing outdoor space. This charming bungalow will draw you in and make you want to settle in for life. Two bedrooms and bath down and a fantastic master suite and sitting area with bath on second floor. Hardwood floors and contemporary kitchen. There are two outdoor screened areas. Detached single car garage with lots of extra storage. Parkside is such a welcoming community with lots of friendly neighbors. Walk to Daffin Park for the dog park, watching games or enjoy the Banana games and fireworks. Ready for you now. $375,000

TYBEE ISLAND

Neverending views of the Atlantic Ocean with amazing sunrises. 3 BR, 3.5 BA custom built home has all of the details that you desire. Ironwork, high end Gourmet kitchen, master suite, soaring ceilings and elevator are just a few of the special traits. Open floorplan with space for entertaining. Master Suite has private balcony, huge dressing room and luxurious tub with adjoining FP. Step directly out of the LR to the screened porch and adjacent walk way to the beach. $2,190,000