The Bitter End

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What's Going On

The Trickle-down Eff ect

By Captain J. Gary “Gator” Hill

markets – anyone or anything that relies on local shrimp for revenue. Even local crabbers had smaller catches this year.

Dolphin tour and eco tour companies are feeling the eff ects as well. But let’s not forget about those who rely on wild shrimp as their primary food source – our local dolphin population. The spring shrimp season is important to our fl ippered friends, in particular the females who are calving. A double whammy hit them this year. In the cold winter months they have to rely on the blubber they’ve laid up. When they start giving birth, mothers use this stored fat to produce milk, which leads to weight loss. Females during this time of year are normally feeding heavily, often at shrimp boats that are discarding by-catch, which is a seafood buff et for dolphins, as well as for sharks that have come in to have their pups. But the shrimp boats aren’t running and there are very few wild shrimp to be found in their usual feeding grounds either.

Being on the water every day while operating a dolphin tour boat on Tybee Island, I’ve spent a lot of time observing dolphin behavior and have seen a marked diff erence in their patterns. They’re having to work harder for their food, which leaves less time for them to play and socialize. I have repeat guests onboard each year and even they’ve noticed the diff erence. The dolphins are warier and have become more standoffi sh,

even displaying annoyance if boats stray to close while they’re hunting. I share their domain so I try and respect them and give them the space they need to fi sh.

I encourage all of you to do the same. Be aware of this while out sharing the water with our dolphins and try not to press them while trying to get those views this summer. Not only is it illegal and will result in steep fi nes, but it's harmful, even dangerous for the dolphins.

Until next time, I'll see y'all on the water!

Once again I’m late on deadline, but my name’s still at the top of the page so she hasn’t given up on me yet. So, without further ado, this month’s installment of “Where is he going with this?” is now in session.

Our journey starts months ago, when the jaws of winter were clamped down tightly on much of the country. As the new year slid in, the temperatures slid down, and down and down. Not only temps on land, but water temperatures, too.

It wasn’t long before water temps were down 12 to 15 degrees and kept falling. Normal winter water temps in the 60s were racing at break-neck speed to the low 50s, then fell further, into the mid- to low 40s. With these sudden drops, people who spend time on the water started seeing dead bait fi sh, then dead sea trout on the water surface. Most aquatic animals can handle temperature shifts, but only when given time to acclimate or move. Sadly, sea trout are very temperature- Shrimp hauled in on a trawl early last summer. The shrimp population suff ered sensitive and their population suff ered greatly from the cold winter and the numbers just aren't here this year.greatly. Even our hardier reds (red Photo by Amy Thurmandrum, spottail bass), took a hit due to the abnormally cold water.

Also impacted were the primary food source that these fi sh, and many other local species, subsist on: the lowly shrimp. Which brings us to the trickle-down eff ect. Shrimp don’t do well in cold water at all. They'll normally migrate to warmer water when water temperatures drop but this year the sudden cold caught them unaware and before the little guys could get gone it was too late. Not all died, mind you, some buried themselves in the mud, but huge numbers of the shrimp population didn’t survive the cold and we’re seeing the eff ects of that now.

How many of you have noticed the lack of shrimp boats operating? By May we usually see shrimp boats dragging the Savannah River entrance, like a taco truck riding through the neighborhood with his bell ringing. But not this year. Why is that? Because there’s nothing to fi sh for, or at least nothing to speak of. By this time of year most of the fi shing fl eets are working, and white shrimp should be coming in nicely but that just isn’t the case.

Restaurants that depend on fresh wild shrimp are feeling the trickledown, charter fi shermen are feeling it, as are bait houses and seafood Email: jgaryhill@gmail.com

DRASTICALLY REDUCED!

110 Robin Road

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. $650,000

321 Abercorn Street

143 Summer Winds DOWNTOWN

Fabulous 2 bedroom, 2 bath front unit located on the 3rd floor overlooking fabulous Lafayette Square. Secure building with elevator convenient to everything downtown. Includes a secured assigned parking space located under the building. Hot commodity in downtown Savannah. Tile and wood flooring, stainless appliances and a decorative fireplace.

$396,000

WHITEMARSH ISL

This home is on a cul de sac and perfect for a family. Large open floorplan. Huge side yards. Mercer’s Place is a convenient location on Wilmington Isl. In an X zone. No flood insurance required. Split bedroom plan plus a bonus or fourth BR over the garage. Kitchen updated with granite, backsplash and SS appliances. Separate DR. New roof in 2017 with architectural shingles. Grab quick.

$342,000

UNDER CONTRACT

49 Tidewater Road ISLE OF HOPE

Cottage style new construction on Isle of Hope. Located on a corner lot in desirable area. Great room with fireplace and built in book shelves. Two master suites, one down and one up. Third bedroom and huge bonus room upstairs. Jack-n-Jill bath allows access and privacy for all. Lovely side porch off of the kitchen. Swing on the fantastic front porch and watch the world go by. $449,900

DOWNTOWN

This wonderful historic home is located in a great area with lots of activity. Restaurants and shopping all in walking distance. Upstairs is owner occupied and is two floors. Two BR, 2Baths. DR with FP, 3rd floor studio and an open LR flooded with natural light. A private balcony is off the LR. Downstairs rental unit has 2 BR, 1 B. LR with FP. Laundry room as well. Bath yard is gated and large enough for cars with a double gate. Perfect for an investor or owner occupy one and rent the other. $400,000

6349 Abercorn St. Savannah, GA 912.352.1222

Lyn McCuen 912.224.0927

lyn@coldwellbanker.com

BUCKHEAD

Live on the nicest street in Buckhead. 3 Bedrooms plus a bonus room with bath that could be a 4th bedroom. Split plan with 3 bedrooms downstairs. Renovated kitchen with granite counters, huge sink, under counter lighting and breakfast area. Spacious master bedroom with trey ceiling and patio access. Lovely deck with gazebo overlooking private back yard. $319,000

BURNSIDE ISLAND

Deep waterfront on a special island. This community is amazing. 150’ on deep water canal with roofed dock house, floating dock. Single story open floorplan with multiple living spaces. LR, sunroom, Bonus, DR, office. 3BR, 2 BA. Huge utility room allows fantastic potential for a bonus suite. $574,900 UNDER CONTRACT

214 McLaughlin Court

REDUCED

422 Hunt Drive

BURNSIDE ISLAND

This inviting home is the perfect place to raise your family. 3BR, 3.5BA split bedrooms with second bedroom also ensuite. On a tidal creek for all of your water activities. Custom renovation with antique heartpine floors, cypress walls and granite counters. Bonus room off kitchen has access to the back deck and yard. Floor plan is very open. Golf cart approved neighborhood. $429,000

60 Amanda

BURNSIDE ISLAND

7BR, 5BA located on a deepwater canal with fantastic covered dock in a great area. Perfect for multi-generational living. 2 BR, 2 BA on ground floor with efficiency kitchen, playroom and living room. Separate 1 BR, 1 BA apartment. Main living area has 4 BR and 2 BA, soaring pine ceilings, and hardwood flooring. Huge great room, dining room, very open floor plan. $555,000 REDUCED