Southern Tides March 2016

March 2016

14 Superior products, competitive pricing, outstanding customer service, & exceptional product knowledge.

The premier marine, aerospace and industrial supplier on the Georgia Intracoastal Waterway

(912) 354-7777 / (800) 673-9391 2827 River Dr., Thunderbolt, GA 31404

Life Raft sales & Services Inatable Boat Sales & Services Marine Paints Fire & Safety Equipment Yacht Chandlery & Supplies Saltwater Fishing Tackle Expedited Shipments & Deliveries

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I n the T ides 04 Contributors 05 Editor’s Note 06 Community Updates 08 One More Cast 09

Did You Know?

10 Artist Mitch Pennington

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12 Bird’s-Eye View Local videographer relates thrill of capturing amazing images of our coastal area and the essential uses of drones.

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Inside SC Fisheries

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Cold-Stunned Turtles

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A cooperative effort between multistate DNR agencies to save stranded sea turtles.

20 Blue Crab Crisis 22 The Bitter End

About the Cover: Drone image of Cockspur Light on Tybee Island, at low tide. Photo by Photo by Captain J. Gary Hill Photos Above: Top - Aerial videography can give real estate listings a leg up. Video Still by Captain J. Gary Hill Bottom - Cold-stunned turtles being transported south for release in warmer waters. Photo by Mark Dodd March 2016

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NEW CONTRIBUTORS Captain Brian Woelber has been fishing local waters most of his life and got his start in the charter world working as a mate. He has been working as a professional guide for 15 years and now has two boats, offering trips inshore and offshore. Fishing is not just his livelihood, it’s his passion. He lives on Wilmington Island with his wife and four children.

Cameron Rhodes, a recreational fisher and marine conservation advocate, graduated from the University of Miami with degrees in Marine Science and Biology.

She has training in photography and documentary film and is interested in the roles these media play in conservation efforts. Cameron loves to fish and aims to practice, encourage, and write about responsible angling. She maintains the blog, The Taling Fish.

Staff Publisher/Editor – Amy Thurman Editorial Assistant - Amelia Dence Editorial Assistant – Jack Gandolfo The Bitter End Columnist - Captain J. Gary “Gator” Hill Specializing in redfish (spot tail bass), tarpon, sheepshead, trout, flounder, striper, cobia, and shark.

Captain Brian Woelber (912) 308-5991 Savannah

Copyright © 2015-2016 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. PO Box 30724 Wilmington Island, GA 31410 (912) 484-3611 info@southerntidesmagazine.com www.SouthernTidesMagazine.com Visit us on Facebook at facebook.com/pages/southern-tides-magazine To subscribe, mail check for $25.00, payable to Southern Tides Magazine, to the address above. Subscription is for one year/12 issues.

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E ditor’s N ote I

’ve been doing a lot of charters lately aboard the Island Explorer with Mike Neal and Buddy Lee. It’s incredibly good to be out on the water again.

The lowcountry coast is the most beautiful place on earth and every single time I get out there with water under the hull, I’m so grateful to live here.

Heading out on an early morning charter, when the rising sun casts a surreal glow over a flood tide and the water is like glass, gives you a sense of peace that you just don’t get driving through traffic, punching a corporate time clock, or sitting behind a desk. I love my job – The sun coming up over St. Augustine Creek. Photo by Amy Thurman putting this magazine together each month, learning new liberal, male from female, wealthy from things, getting a chance to write about this place I love, the relationships with poor, or catholic from atheist. Out there, people in the community. This is my dream job. But being able to work these those things don’t matter. When you have a charters has been like adding bacon to the perfect greasy cheeseburger. That fish on the hook, when you have an engine time on the water, several times each week, soothes the soul and keeps me issue, when an unexpected storm blows from getting wrapped up in the business of things and missing the focus. up, when you’re passing another boat at Our world is crazy these days. The political arena is a hotbed of antagonism low tide in a narrow creek, when you’re and divisiveness. It seems that every segment of our society is trying to impose standing on the dock at the end of the day its will on every other segment. The economy, though it doesn’t feel as bad as it with a cold beer, when you have a boatload was a few years back, is still a disaster. Civil unrest is worse than it’s been since of kids looking in awe at dolphins playing the 60s and as I write this, Belgium is reeling from a terrorist attack. But our off the bow, none of those outside things little stretch of coast is a pocket of sanity. matter. We’re just people with a shared love Several years ago, I sat with Charlie Teeple for an afternoon and we of, and respect for, the water. talked about the water. Charlie was from one of the original old shrimping I hope each of you can get some time on families in Thunderbolt, Georgia, and he grew up there in the 50s, when racial the water this month and that it soothes tensions were on the news nightly. He talked about black shrimpers and white your soul and puts things in perspective for shrimpers working alongside each other, helping each other out, and drinking you as well. I’ll see you out there. together after unloading their hauls. “The water doesn’t know color,” he said.

The truth of that statement struck me then and I’ve seen the truth of it bear out repeatedly in the years since.

Amy Thurman I had drinks with my friend Jen Hilburn, the Altamaha Riverkeeper, last Editor in Chief weekend. Jen and I have been friends for years. I did her wedding pictures and I count her and her husband Page among my dearest friends. Jen’s political leanings are far more liberal than my conservative views and the subject of politics came up last weekend. She said, “You know, Amy, my politics are about the water. That’s it. That’s what I care about, what I fight for, and what I work to protect. That’s what matters to me.”

The water doesn’t know color. The water doesn’t know conservative from March 2016

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Community Updates Marine Mammal Research Symposium

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forum of biologists conducting research on all species of marine mammals, in waters from New Jersey to Texas, will come together for the Southeast and MidAtlantic Marine Mammal Symposium (SEAMAMMS), April 1 – 3, in Savannah. The purpose of the conference is to bring together scientists and students to present and discuss their research and for marine mammal advocates to gain knowledge. The symposium is being co-hosted by Savannah State University and The Dolphin Project.

For more information, visit www.savannahstate.edu and search SEAMAMMS.

Georgia Sea Turtle Center Launches Summer Programs

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ow that Spring is here, researchers and educators at the Jekyll Island Authority’s Georgia Sea Turtle Center (GSTC) are looking forward to their 2016 field season. On April 1st, they will launch of their summer nature education programming, where guests can learn about beach ecology, sea turtles, and alligators. GSTC offers several interactive programs that allow the public to broaden their understanding of sea turtle nesting habits, American alligator ecology, and to contribute to our local environmental stewardship efforts.

Programs include: Gatorology 101, Ride with the Night Patrol (to locate nesting turtles), “Eggssperience” Dawn Patrol, Turtle Walks, Sunrise Walks, and Nest Trackers. For more information about these programs visit gstc.jekyllisland. com/programs.

All program proceeds contribute to the GSTC’s conservation efforts for wildlife Student connects with baby gator.

Photo provided by Jekyll Island Authority research on Jekyll Island.

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Nautical Flea Market in McIntosh County

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he Barbour River Yacht Club, in McIntosh County, is hosting a nautical flea market on Saturday, April 9, from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The market is open to buyers and sellers from the general public, as well as the marine industry. There is no participation charge, though you must provide your own display (tables, trailer, or truck). All marine-related items (gear, parts, boats, nautical décor, etc.) are welcome, though the emphasis of the market is providing and finding bargains. Seller set-up will begin at 7:30 a.m. at 1636 Gould’s Landing Road NE, Townsend, GA. For more information call (912) 832-6721.

St. Marys Little Theatre presents “River of Life”

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History comes to life on stage. Photo provided by St. Marys Little Theatre

he St. Marys Little Theatre will present the original musical “River of Life,” April 8 – 9, and 15 – 17. The production depicts the history of St. Marys and the surrounding area, from the times of the Timucuan Indians up through the establishment of the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base and into present day. Most of the songs in the production were written by local resident and magazine publisher Barbara Ryan and orchestrated by her son, musician Jerry Lockamy. The musical will appeal to all ages and provide a fun and whimsical living history and understanding of the area.

All performances will be held at Theatre by the Trax, 1000 Osborne Street, St. Marys. For information and tickets visit www.stmaryslittletheatre.com or call (912) 729-1103.

Darien to hold Blessing of the Fleet

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he Darien-McIntosh County Chamber of Commerce hosts the annual Blessing of the Fleet to celebrate the county’s biggest industry: shrimping. This three-day event, April 8 – 10, consists of an art show, various food and drink vendors, arts and crafts, a YMCA 5K run, children’s activities, a classic car show, nightly live entertainment, a marine parade, and of course the Blessing of the Fleet for a safe and prosperous season. For more information please contact the Chamber at (912) 437-6684 or e-mail at info@ blessingofthefleet.com.

Shrimp boat receiving blessing. Photo by Amy Thurman

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Captain Brian and his mate, Josiah Rifle, caught these trout on a rare day off on St. Pats.

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hile talking with a local crabber this week, I asked if the blue claws were showing up yet on the beachfronts and main channels into the sound, and the report is good. They are starting to move in now. The reason that’s good to hear is that those big bull reds are sure to be following and should be here soon.

One of those little things I keep up with to aid in finding redfish is keeping up with the crab traps. In the fall I look for them to start moving out of the creeks and into the main channels. Then out to the sounds and beachfronts, then back in, because where the crabs go, so do the redfish. So now is the time to go work the beachside sandbars for the big ones.

I like to use a little heavier gear, knowing we are not looking for the slot-sized fish. I bring my cobia setups which are six and a half foot, medium-heavy rods. I like spinning reels, 5000 series, with 40-pound braided line, and depending on the tides, a 2- to 4-ounce egg sinker connected to a 40-pound flourocarbon leader with a 150-pound barrel swivel. But most important is the hook. You must use a circle hook to ensure live releases.

For bait I might use mullet, the fresher the better. And now that pogies (menhaden) are showing up, they work well also. And of course, quartered blue crab claws hooked through the big sockets. Work water depths between two and ten feet for best results. On a calm day, these fish can be sight-fished too. The inshore trout bite has started to pick up as well. We’re catching those on mud minnows and live shrimp.

Remember, release a fish today so you can catch two tomorrow!

Email Captain Brian at captainbrian@onemorecast.com 8

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D id Y ou Know?

That these Atlantic calico scallops can actively swim, unlike other bivalves.

• Swims by clapping their shells together and releasing jet of water to propel them forward (the result is pretty comical, we recommend looking it up on YouTube!)

•

The calico scallop (Argopecten gibbus) is edible

• Shell colors range from crimson to lavender and grow up to three inches in length • Calico scallops feed primarily on microalgae, diatoms, bacteria, and organic particulates, which are filtered over the gills and passed to the mouth via ciliary tracts Contributed by Erin Weeks, SC DNR

This scallop was collected off the coast of Georgia in 2004 and photographed by the Southeastern Regional Taxonomic Center staff at SC DNR’s Charleston lab.

March 2016

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It’s about T elling a S tory Artist Mitch Pennington uses your catch to create custom artwork.

By Amy Thurman

Photos by Bryan Stovall Photography

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or Savannah artist Mitch Pennington, it’s not about making art, it’s about telling a story. An avid fisherman, Pennington has been working on boats for years. His company, Southern Tide Metal Work, does metal and welding repairs, makes custom gates and handrails, as well as other metal addons. But his creative streak had him wanting to do more than work on boats. When he was asked to fabricate a creative piece for a charity auction he decided to build a metal coffee table with a blue crab inset in the top. “People started calling,” he said, and it took off from there.

The furniture pieces he creates, as well as the wall art, are fabricated from aluminum and sanded. The furniture is powder-coated with the customer’s choice of colors, and the wall art is painted with hard paint. Both are clear-coated and suitable for indoor or outdoor use and display.

Pennington creates custom pieces like this one for Captain Brian Woelber. Photo by Brian Woelber

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“These pieces are meant to tell a story,” Pennington said. He created a piece for local charter captain, Brian Woelber, based on photos Woelber provided for him of a fish he’d caught, a sunrise photo he captured while fishing one morning, and a photo of his boat. The sunrise and stern of the boat serve as a backdrop for a raised metal “sculpture” of the fish, accurately painted to duplicate the fish in the photo.

“I’d like to get away from boat work eventually and do this fulltime,” Pennington said, smiling.

“We’ll see how it goes.”

Although he stays busy with customer orders, he frequently comes up with ideas for new projects, including a set of chairs with backs built to look like large blue crabs. When asked if he intended to display his work in a gallery at some point, he replied, “It’s selling as fast as I can make it!”

OPPOSITE TOP: Pennington with two of his pieces, a blue crab wall hanging and a custom coffee table.

INSET: Mahi mahi table inset.

ABOVE: A red snapper inset in an aluminum coffee table crafted for a customer.

BELOW: Blue crab inset into a side lamp table.

To order your custom-designed wall art or table, contact Mitch Pennington at stmw30@gmail.com or visit his Facebook page at Facebook.com/Southern-Tide-Metal-Works.

Southern Tides Magazine would like to thank Amanda Smith-Boles, of Miss Smith Designs, for assistance with photo editing.

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B

ird’s-eye

View

By Captain J. Gary Hill

A look at the other side of the controversial drone discussion, with a local videographer and waterman.

by 2024.

You may wonder how this applies to you or why you’re reading about it in a water based magazine. I can tell you this: from a recreational and hobbyist standpoint, drone video gives home movies and photos a totally different perspective that’s almost beyond words. As a photographer with a background in video production, I was looking for something to breathe a bit of freshness and excitement into a passion I’ve pursued for over 40 years. I soon found I had a flying camera that let me stretch my artistic wings, so to speak. This new-found excitement prompted me to leave the job I had and pursue this new endeavor.

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ook! Up in the sky! It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s Under Drone! When I was a child, it seemed there were only a few things that flew: birds, planes, and of course Underdog, a dog with a cape and super powers. But as the years have passed the sky has become a bit more congested. In the 1980s radio controlled (RC) airplanes became a common pastime for a budding group of hobbyists. I was on the scene for that emerging technology and had many hours of fun building and flying a variety of airplanes. The 1990s and early 2000s saw the emergence of RC helicopters, and now we have the exciting new technology of drones.

For some, the word drone has a negative connotation. These new aircraft that are taking the country, well the world for that matter, by storm have gotten a lot of bad press. People think of them as tools for the military used to track down and eliminate terrorists, or to invade other’s privacy. I’m sure some of you immediately thought, “What about that guy who flew one into the Whitehouse?” I can only answer, “Yep, there are a few idiots out there, and sadly those same people drive automobiles.”

However, I want to bring the other side of the drone issue to light, in which drones (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or UAVs) are used the right way.

The first example is their use for search and rescue (SAR) work, an element anyone can relate to. Utilizing both fixed-wing and multi-rotor aircraft, drones can cover miles of terrain at a fraction of the cost and time over traditional rescue missions, making them a valuable tool in saving lives. Other uses include powerline right-of-way inspections, agricultural applications, real estate videos, use on television and movie sets, and news services. The UAV/drone sector is growing by 1520 percent annually, with a projected marketplace growth of over $11 billion OPPOSITE: Tybee Pier RIGHT: Tybee Light and grounds Video stills by Captain J. Gary Hill

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Which leads me to the next reason UAVs can be a great asset to you, my fellow water enthusiasts. Aerial video and photos allows people to showcase or reveal a subject in a very unique way. For example, if you’re selling a home or property, especially one with a captivating view or considerable acreage. The commercial end of the UAV market is comprised of many companies that specialize in real estate, providing traditional video, as well as aerial, to add that je ne sais qoia, or umph, that separates your listing from others.

In the business sector it allows companies, such as car or boat dealerships, to showcase their inventory at a fraction of the cost of conventional aircraft. I’ve flown for marinas, giving a bird’s-eye view of the docks and boats that can take your breath away. This allows people to see exactly what the marina has to offer in less time than it takes to walk down the ramp. Water is a very fluid environment, always shifting and moving, thereby making it a difficult platform to shoot video from. UAV’s don’t have that limitation.

Consider the allure of video. When you want to see fish-

ABOVE: Forsythe Park in Savannah RIGHT: Marsh at full flood tide OPPOSITE PAGE: Tybee Road during last fall’s extreme tides Video stills by Captain J. Gary Hill

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ing action you go to YouTube. Watching fish fight on video is almost like being on the boat yourself. We’re simply engaged and entertained by movement.

I’d also like to dispel some of the negativity surrounding drones. First, UAV cameras are great for the big picture, so if you’re sunbathing in the backyard and one flies over a couple hundred feet in the air, it really can’t spy on you.

The cameras are just not that sensitive. The airspace above your home or business is FAA airspace, and although the issue is a little gray at times, typically 80 feet above the tallest manmade structure is considered public airspace. The FAA has given us a set of guidelines to follow, such as flying around airports, stadiums and large public gatherings, and staying below 400 feet altitude.

Since I got back into flying I’ve been asked not to fly in certain places and each time the people were respectful and non-confrontational and I responded in kind and complied. Many people are genuinely interested in these flying eggbeaters and love to ask questions, so if you see me out flying, feel free to stop and chat. I love sharing this passion for flying with others.

Email Gary at jgaryhill@gmail.com

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Multi-State Agency

Efforts Save Turtles

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ABOVE: A sea turtle just before release into warmer Florida water.

Photo by Mark Dodd BELOW: Michelle Pate, SC DNR, hands off a box of turtles to Mark Dodd, GA DNR. Photo provided by SC DNR

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By Amelia Dence

s the weather cools in preparation for Winter many species of animals are prompted to begin their long journeys to warmer habitats. Sea turtles are among these species. However, when warmer than usual temperatures delay the onset of Winter and the waters stay warm for prolonged periods of time, sea turtles are not prompted to migrate. Coupled with a sudden cold snap that drastically drops the water temperature and these creatures may find themselves trapped by the suddenly cold water. This results in a phenomenon called Turtle Stunning. Turtle Stunning occurs when the water temperatures become too cold, too fast, causing them to slow down and become trapped. When this happens the turtles become hypothermic because they are cold blooded and rely on an external heat source for warmth.

The Southeast region enjoyed warmer than normal temperatures this past holiday season. Many took advantage of the warm weather by taking trips to the beach or lounging poolside the week of Christmas. However, because of the unusual warmth a perfect storm of weather patterns was brewing. This resulted in a sudden temperature drop in January that rapidly cooled the waters off the coast of North Carolina, causing around 2,000 sea turtles to become stunned by the sudden change in temperature. State Sea Turtle Biologist Matthew Godfrey helped coordinate the efforts to rescue and relocate the affected turtles. He explains that “when the water temperatures start getting cold, the turtles also get cold … they become slow, they can’t move, and if it gets too cold they will die.” These deaths occur when the turtles become hypothermic and find themselves beached, unable to migrate.

Turtle stunning is not uncommon and according to Godfrey it’s not unusual for them to rescue turtles that have been stunned. He states that they may see “a few, maybe as SouthernTidesMagazine.com

March 2016

These turtles, about the size of dinner plates, were transported in boxes across four states. Photo provided by SC DNR

many as a few hundred…but never as many as we saw this past year.” The weather this year and the mass stunning was an anomaly.

The event prompted numerous agencies, across four states (including: the U.S. Coast Guard, the NC Wildlife Resource Commission, the National Park Service at Cape Hatteras, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, NC Natural History Museum, Greensboro Science Center, Charlotte Aquarium, SC DNR, GA DNR, and Florida’s Washington Oaks State Park volunteers, among others) to band together to rescue and rehabilitate stranded turtles. The turtles were placed in banana boxes and transported from North Carolina, through South Carolina and Georgia, to the warmer waters of Florida

where they were released off beaches.

Senior Wildlife Biologist Mark Dodd, with the GA DNR, picked up the turtles at the Georgia/South Carolina state line and transported them to Washington Oaks State Park in Palm Coast, Florida. There, he and volunteers carried the turtles over the dunes and released them. Due to high surf conditions, one turtle washed back to the beach. Dodd, thinking ahead, had brought a surfboard along in preparation for this possibility. After donning a wet suit, he put the turtle on his board and paddled out past the surf to about chestdeep water and released the turtle there. Thanks to the efforts of so many, the majority of the turtles were saved.

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Working for Sustainable

Fisheries

Article and Photography

By Cameron Rhodes

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of mullet, and casts into the first of the flood. He places the rod in a holder, digs in the front hatch for his rubber net (just in case), and gives his dog a gentle pat. A few minutes into the freshly changed tide, the silence is abruptly broken with, “Zinngggggggg!” The reel screams and the rod bends.

South Carolina’s lowcountry depends heavily on marine resources like that mystery fish on the end of the line. Commercial and recreational fishermen, environmental enthusiasts, and avid outdoorsmen flock to Carolina shores to explore and pursue wild spaces and species. The Marine Resources Research Institute (MRRI) at the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

t the bow of a 16-foot Redfisher, an eager Boykin Spaniel points her nose into the salty wind. A weathered man stands at the helm as the skiff cruises along South Carolina’s saltwater creeks, critical cornerstones of the low country ecosystem. Incredibly nutrient rich and diverse, these creeks host a range of important game fish species.

The spaniel and her fisherman anchor next to a fallen grove of partially submerged trees, a “locals only” kind of honey hole.

The angler grabs his fishing rod, baits his circle hook with a sliver 18

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(SC DNR) conducts a multitude of studies in an effort to better understand local wildlife. As part of this effort, the Inshore Fisheries Lab monitors estuarine fish populations and hosts the only database of its kind for South Carolina’s coastal fish species.

If you encounter one of the lab’s specially designed boats, you might find it a bit perplexing at first. In addition to the crew of salty men and women dressed in hunter green bibs and neon orange rain slickers, you’ll notice there’s no engine at the stern; it is instead forward to facilitate trammel nets – gillnets with three layers of netting. These layers capture indiscriminately and increase survey efficiency.

The trammel program began in 1990, fostering what would become an extensive library of natural resource history. In 2015 alone, the researchers set 881 trammel net surveys. Dr. Steve Arnott, Supervisor of the SC DNR Inshore Fisheries Section, explained, “The most important aspect of the surveys is that data are collected using exactly the same methods year after year. That’s the only way we can meaningfully compare changes over time.”

OPPOSITE: Fishing lowcountry creeks.

BELOW: A red drum being tagged prior to release.

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These methods, although repetitive, are rather unique. Crews of three take to the rivers, harbors, and creeks. After a weighted end of the net is tossed toward the shallows, the boat accelerates adjacent to the bank, pulling 600 feet of trammel net over the stern, cutting off escape routes. Two members of the team slap the water with long wooden poles, producing a noise that mimics the whoosh of a pelican hitting the surface or the clap of a dolphin slapping its flukes. Fish will flee from their assumed predators, dashing away from the safety of the bank and into the net.

With protective gloves at the ready, the team begins to pull in the catch. Two members of the crew stand at the stern while another prepares for incoming fish. They operate like a well oiled machine as they encounter mullet, oysters, blue crabs, red drum, sheepshead, sea turtles, southern flounder, spot, bonnetheads, shrimp, spotted sea trout, lookdown, whiting, and the everpresent longnose gar. It is no easy feat to remove a sheepshead from a gillnet, but these researchers are quick and efficient about it. Everything is recorded. Fish are kept alive in large coolers that are continually replenished with oxygenated water. Some are simply measured. Game fish are sampled more extensively: they’re measured, tagged, fin clipped, and then released.

So, if you’re that angler on the creek with your Boykin, you might be asking yourself why this work is at all important to you.

As anglers and outdoorsmen, boaters and marine enthusiasts, it is critical that we understand why the DNR is so involved in our fishing grounds. Why do they net, tag, and collect samples from the inshore species that we so actively seek? The truth is, a lot of it is for us, the recreational fishermen.

Dr. Arnott explains, “The ultimate goal is to ensure that the fisheries are sustainable. If not, regulations might be adjusted accordingly. In South Carolina, that’s ultimately decided by the state legislation; SC DNR can make recommendations and push for changes, but they do not have the power to actually invoke them.”

Scientists are messengers. They look to the data and note

trends and variations in fish population structure and dynamics. They can then offer advice to lawmakers, initiating discourse. None of this would be possible without measure, tag, fin clip, release, and repeat.

The surveys have offered up insights about the state of red drum and spotted sea trout populations in South Carolina. According to the surveys, spotted sea trout populations are doing well, likely due to the mild winters South Carolina has been experiencing; cold winters tend to diminish their numbers. In addition to high population numbers, the entire age range has also been sampled. Unless temperatures drop dramatically or other parameters suddenly change, it doesn’t appear that any management changes will be necessary for spotted sea trout.

In the case of red drum, mature fish move offshore and only return to estuaries to spawn during late summer and autumn. Since all trammel surveys are conducted at inshore locations, the team samples fish in the sub-adult class (one to three years old). Dr. Arnott writes, “Sub-adult numbers have been low in recent years. This is partly due to a lack of strong year classes (probably a natural cycle). There is also some concern about fishing pressure, but any conclusions on this aspect are premature (a stock assessment for the entire Atlantic coast is currently in progress-more information will be available once that is completed).”

Although these low numbers may simply be a result of natural processes, they suggest that there will be fewer spawning adults in years to come. No one wants a favorite honey hole to become a no fish zone. No one wants stricter regulations. But, the alternative is far more frightening. There is no real cause for alarm just yet. That said, this is definitely something we need to be aware of. Continued research will only improve our understanding of what is going on out there. If fish populations appear to be at risk, the Inshore Fisheries Section will advise us and legislators accordingly.

SC DNR’s research monitors fish species that are not only targeted for sport, but are also prized at the dinner table. Collectively we need to ensure they are managed properly so future generations of drumming bull reds, schooling spotted sea trout, picky eater sheepshead, wallowing southern flounder, and barbel mouthed black drum thrive in our waters. SC DNR is working continuously to facilitate such a future. By doing so, they are also protecting the future of recreational fishing in South Carolina. Anglers can participate by speaking up for conservation. We can be environmental advocates too by adhering to regulations, asking questions, offering our insights, and participating in citizen science.

Let’s become part of the legion of anglers that want to both fish and conserve.

Thank you to the SC DNR Inshore Fisheries team, especially Dr. Steve Arnott and Henry Davega, for your insightful input.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Fishermen with examples of newly tagged fish.

A flounder (top) and a large bull red (bottom).

A tag doesn’t just give an individual fish an ID number, it makes a fish recognizable by all agencies. Anyone, DNR, NOAA, or even you, can report a recaptured fish at www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/tagfish/tagcatch.html. Reporting a tagged fish is a great way for anglers to get involved in the study and management of local fisheries. Just follow these simple steps: • Record the tag number • Note the tag color • Record the date and precise location • Identify species • Measure and record total length • Take a photo (optional) SouthernTidesMagazine.com

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Citizen Science

March 2016

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21

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T he B itter End

Spring into Boating

By Captain J. Gary Hill

A

s we come off this rollercoaster ride we call winter in the

South, our minds turn to boating. For many of us it’s like a pilgrimage of sorts.

We eagerly make our way to marinas, boat houses, or down to the dock to check on our most holy of alters: THE BOAT. Unless you’re a member of this congregation of boating enthusiasts, you may not fully grasp the zealous way we approach this near religious experience. Okay, maybe I’m being a little over-enthusiastic with the hyperbole, but not by much.

For myself, working in the marine business as an excursion boat captain is the perfect marriage of passion and profit. Keeping the boat in shape is critical and there are several things we can do to start us out on the right “lower unit.”

The first is getting the heart of the system checked, serviced and ready – that being the engine. One of the biggest mistakes we can make is allowing ourselves to slip into the mindset of, “Well it was running fine last fall, it should be okay, right?” No, most likely not. Though we may be as diligent as possible each fall, ol’ Captain Murphy doesn’t take the winter off.

The lifeblood of every engine is fuel and tends to be the source of many break downs. The first thing I want to stress about fuel is how critical it is to use marine grade, ethanol-free fuels. Regular gas from gas stations contains ethanol; when it breaks down it gums up carbs and injectors, as well as breaking down the rubber parts in fuel lines and primer bulbs. This in turn usually results in bits of rubber clogging vital components. Think about it like a human: if we put crap into our bodies, it breaks down and clogs arteries and veins – it’s the same principle with ethanol residue in engines. Most every marina on the coast sells only ethanol-free marine fuel. If you trailer your boat and choose to get it at the neighborhood gas station, many have marine 22

fuels nowadays. Trust me it’s worth the few cents difference.

After the fuel system comes the other vital fluid, oil, as well as the lower unit, and the often overlooked water pump and impellor. Engine oil on four strokes should typically be changed between 100-150 hours, or as a rule of thumb, at the beginning of the new boating season. Two things in the lower unit to be on the lookout for: milkylooking oil and metal shavings. If the oil is milky-looking, you have water getting into the system. If you see metal shavings, there is wear on the magnetized screws you remove from the foot. If you have a large amount of metal then perhaps you need to let a tech look at it to determine where the wear is coming from. The water pump and impellor also need to be inspected for wear at the start of each season.

Now we come to the heart of the system: the battery. Batteries are among the most common failures on the water. Friends in the boat towing business frequently tell stories of making repeated trips to the same customer for the same problem: The boat eventually cranked at the landing so they decided to go ahead and go. Then later, after sitting at anchor or on a sandbar relaxing it comes time to leave, turn the key, and nothing. People, batteries don’t fix themselves. It’s a cold hard truth, but a fact none-the-less. So take a few minutes to check the battery, as well as any wiring connections, for visible corrosion and obvious problems.

Lastly, I’m going to throw out a couple thoughts for both new and seasoned boaters. First there are two great companies in the area that offer towing at very affordable annual membership rates.

Under $200.00 covers your boat, and in most cases, even if you loan your boat to someone else. This does not include salvage jobs or hard groundings, but for basic soft groundings, battery problems or breakdowns it’s the best money you’ll spend on the water. If you’re a new boater, please consider a boater’s course from the Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary and perhaps request a courtesy inspection by the Coast Guard Auxiliary on your safety equipment. This can save you fines, and having the inspection decal will often save you the inconvenience of a safety boarding if you’re stopped on the water. Remember, boat safe, boat sober, and boat responsibly.

See y’all on the water!

Email Gary at jgaryhill@gmail.com

SouthernTidesMagazine.com

March 2016

TURTLE TROT 12TH ANNUAL

2016

SATURDAY, APRIL 30 TH

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4 Beautiful Georgia Rivers - 4 Great April Paddles!

Altamaha Riverkeeper:

Pink Paddlers on Parade - April 2 middlegeorgiapaddlers@gmail.com

Satilla Riverkeeper:

Spring on the Satilla - April 2-3 satillariverkeeper.org/calendar

Ogeechee Riverkeeper:

Scarborough Landing to Rocky Ford - April 23 ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/paddletrips

Savannah Riverkeeper:

Paddles and Pints - April 24 Facebook/savannahriverkeeper/events

Come Paddle with Us!

Before you head out there ...

Stop in here:

Now is the time to get ready for warm weather boating. Make sure your boat is ready for its first trip this season with a stop at Hale Marine.

If you are a DIY mechanic and just need the parts or if you prefer one of our skilled marine technicians to take care of your engine needs, just give us a call.

Spring Service Special:

912-224-8313 2604 Causton Bluff Road Savannah, GA

$25 discount applied to labor on any annual service. We happily work on most brands of outboard motors; from 1997 through the current year’s model.

Hale Marine is honored to have the area’s only Yamaha Certified Master Technician, Timothy Hale.