Oyster Cage Resubmergence Focus of New Research

A new oyster research project is underway this year. The project focuses on studying the effect of oyster cage submergence time on concentrations of Vibrio spp. pathogens during summer months. By examining oysters the day after they are submerged, and at days 7, 9, and 14 post-resubmergence, this applied research may assist with the optimization of resubmergence requirements in South Carolina, which could help to better streamline oyster farm operations in the state.

The research involves field data collection at oyster farms, interagency collaboration, and an analysis to examine how science can inform policy. The project is being conducted with partners at the S.C. Department of Natural Resources, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services, the College of Charleston, the FDA Gulf Coast Seafood Laboratory, Lowcountry Oyster Co., Lady's Island Oyster, Inc., and Barrier Island Oyster Co., with funding from the USDA Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program. For more information, contact Matt Gorstein, director for Development and Extension, at (843) 953-2084.

Oyster cages in a South Carolina tidal creek. Photo: Hailey Murphy, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.

SHORES Seminar Prepares Students for the Future

On July 12, 2024, the inaugural SHORES (Strengthening Hope through Oceanfront and Coastal Resilience Engineers) Seminar at The Citadel in Charleston brought together future engineers, professors, and field experts to address the region’s vulnerability to rising sea levels and extreme weather.

The event aimed to equip students with the skills needed to manage climate-related infrastructure challenges. Participating partners from academia, industry, and state and federal agencies, including The Citadel, Davis & Floyd, Applied Technology and Management, JMT, SeamonWhiteside, HDR Engineering, Water Environment Consultants, Robinson Design Engineers, S.C. Ports Authority, S.C. Department of Transportation, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, offered insights on coastal engineering and climate science.

Field trips to key projects, such as the Battery seawall in downtown Charleston and the Ravenel Bridge, gave students a first-hand look at resilience engineering in action. These visits highlighted the importance of balancing utility with environmental conservation. Contact Susan Lovelace, executive director, at (843) 953-2078 for more information.

Kevin Turner of S.C. Department of Transportation addresses a group of SHORES Seminar participants during a boat tour of Charleston Harbor. Photo: Noah Stillman, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.

Educators Receive Environmental Education Certification

Eleven formal and non-formal South Carolina educators recently achieved Palmetto Environmental Education Certification (PEEC) status. PEEC is the only environmental education certification program in the state for formal and non-formal educators. The program’s mission is to foster a professional environmental education network and promote environmental literacy in South Carolina, while empowering educators to more effectively teach about the natural world. 

The certified environmental educators represented K-12 schools, environmental education organizations, and local government agencies. The 2024 PEEC program is currently underway, with the next graduating class expected in the fall of 2026. For more information, contact E.V. Bell, Education and Outreach manager, at (843) 953-2085.

A PEEC program graduate holds a non-venomous snake near Hobcaw Barony. Photo: E.V. Bell, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.

Upcoming Conferences

South Carolina Water Resources Conference, October 16-17, 2024, Columbia, S.C.

Flood and Stormwater Management Conference, October 27-30, 2024, Colorado Springs, CO.

South Carolina Marine Educators Association Conference, November 8-10, 2024, Columbia, S.C.