6 minute read
6 Community Updates
SkIO Ship Rescues Stranded Boaters
A routine research cruise quickly turned into a lifesaving, nighttime rescue mission for the crew of UGA Skidaway Institute of Oceanography’s R/V Savannah. On the evening of June 8, the ship rescued two Florida fi shermen who were clinging to the hull of their capsized boat in the open ocean approximately ten miles off the coast of Cape Canaveral. The Savannah was conducting a fi sh survey with a team from NOAA when, around 8:30 p.m., they were contacted by the Coast Guard to assist with a vessel in distress believed to be three and a half miles from the Savannah’s position. Captain Raymond Sweatte steered towards the boat’s last known position, but on arrival, a search with the Savannah’s spotlight revealed nothing. Captain Sweatte began a search pattern, but still found nothing. He then noticed a faint radar target approximately two miles east of the Savannah’s position. He headed in that direction and as the ship R/V Savannah captain Raymond got closer, the target grew stronger. They came across a capsized 24-foot boat with two fi shermen Sweatte, fl anked by rescued boaters holding on for dear life. Justin DeSoto (right) and Andy The fi shermen were identifi ed as Justin Desoto and Andy Odom of Port Canaveral, Fla. The men Odom (left). said their boat started taking on water. As the seas and wind increased, they could not keep up with Photo provided by UGA/SkIO the infl ow of water and mother nature took control. Both fi shermen were brought onboard and provided blankets and water. A Coast Guard vessel met the ship and carried Desoto and Odom back to shore.
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“Over the years, and as anyone who goes to sea knows, you will come across boats adrift, some inshore, some 150 miles or more from land, but it is rare to fi nd people in the water struggling to survive,” said John Bichy, UGA Skidaway Institute marine superintendent. “Those fi shermen were probably only in the water for fi ve hours or so, but if the Savannah had not found them who knows what their fate would have been.”
SC Sets New Catch Limits for Redfi sh
Red drum, redfi sh, spottail, channel bass – South Carolina’s most popular saltwater gamefi sh goes by many names and plays a key role in the coastal economy and ecosystems. In recent years, state biologists have documented a declining trend in the state’s red Photo provided by SCDNR drum population, which has been underscored by reports from longtime local anglers. These concerns prompted the SCDNR to take a closer look at the species last year, culminating in an assessment that found the state’s red drum population was experiencing overfi shing.
The South Carolina General Assembly responded by passing a new law intended to reverse overfi shing, which Governor Henry McMaster recently signed. The new catch limit allows two fi sh per person per day and no more than six fi sh per boat per day, eff ective July 1, 2018. The previous catch limit was three fi sh per person per day, with no boat limit. The slot limit (15-23 inches) remains unchanged.
“We’ve been monitoring red drum populations across the state using the same techniques for nearly 30 years, and what we’ve seen over the last 10-15 years is concerning,” said assistant marine scientist Dr. Joey Ballenger, who oversees SCDNR’s red drum research. “Across the state, we’ve seen declines in abundance of the juvenile fi sh most commonly targeted by anglers.”
In addition, the SCDNR seeks to address increasing pressure on adult red drum by working with anglers to implement best handling practices. Valuable adult fi sh are highly susceptible to predators, disease, and exhaustion after release, making proper handling a matter of life or death.
SCDNR urges anglers who target adult red drum to use the following best practices for release: • Use a rig that minimizes the chance of hook damage (short leader, fi xed sinker weighing three ounces or more, and barbless, non-off set and non-stainless hook) • Use gear that shortens the fi ght time (20-lb and higher test line) • Keep the fi sh in the water (take photographs of the fi sh during revival and release) 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
Fishable Swimmable Drinkable Water!
Photo by Clay George/GADNR
Recent helicopter surveys of bald eagle nests in the eastern half of Georgia underscored the iconic raptor’s resurgence in the state. Nearly 110 occupied nesting territories were found in the six coastal counties and an area roughly from the South Carolina state line to interstates 16 and 85. Those nests fl edged an estimated 127 young. For three straight years surveys have counted 200-plus nests statewide. This year, the Georgia DNR began surveying only about half the state each year, a change that syncs with the raptor's range-wide comeback, and continues standardized monitoring. Bald eagles are state-listed as threatened and a high-priority species in Georgia's State Wildlife Action Plan, a guiding conservation strategy. SURVEY INSIGHTS • Six coastal counties (including barrier islands): 79 occupied nest territories, with 64 fl edging at least one eaglet (81 percent success rate) and 95 young fl edged (1.2 per occupied territory). • Eastern area (I-16 to the south, I-85 to the north and west, and the Savannah River to the east and northeast, excluding Savannah): 28 occupied nest territories, with 19 fl edging at least one eaglet (68 percent success rate) and 32 young fl edged (1.1 per occupied territory). • Totals (including data from volunteer and staff monitors): 123 occupied nest territories, with 97 fl edging at least one eaglet (79 percent success rate) and 147 young fl edged (1.2 per occupied territory, the long-term average). • Lost and found: Three to four nests were either substantially damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Irma last fall. But 11 new nests were found, including fi ve on the coast. • Ground nest: One of the “newcomers” was the fi rst known ground nest of a bald eagle recorded in Georgia. It was made in the wrack on Cabbage Island. Unfortunately, the nest failed. • The public can report nests at bit.ly/report_eagles, by phone (478) 994-1438) or by email: bobsargent@dnr.ga.gov.
Lowcountry Annie Oakleys 4th Annual Charity Clays Tournment
Friday, September 28
Forest City Gun Club This 100-shot tournament supports two organizations serving thousands of at-risk children in our region. www.lowcountryannieoakleys.com
Benefiting Second Harvest’s Kids Cafe and The Boys & Girls Club of Jasper County
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Southern food with Caribbean flair, prepared with fresh local ingredients! repared with fresh local ingredient
Kayak, SUP, & Canoe Tours
Instruction Group Educational Tours Sales
1102 Highway 80, Tybee Island 912-786-8732
seakayakgeorgia.com info@seakayakgeorgia.com
