Ambos
A Family Tradition
First Coastal
Ecosystem Report Card
Ike Junior
From Straggler to Star
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Connections. Those moments that make you smile, make you realize there’s a bigger picture, and make you happy to be part of it. I’ve had a lot of those lately, and I love it! I got an email from John “Crawfish” Crawford, at UGA’s MAREX Aquarium, sharing one such connection. A benefactor had donated some items to MAREX, including a metal sculpture of a turtle, provenance unknown. After seeing the photos and article in the October issue about Tyler Dominey and his metal art, Crawfish suspected the sculpture might be Tyler’s work, so he emailed Tyler a photo. Tyler replied back that it was one of his early pieces and advised Crawfish how to bring it back to life. It will be displayed in the Educational Garden at the aquarium. Love that! Also this month, I happened to speak with artist Charles Maley. On hearing his last name, I asked if he was any relation to my friends Barney and Elaine Maley who own Sunbury Crab Company and Marina; turns out he’s one of Barney’s 10 siblings. That’s our interconnected little world! Take a look at his creations. If you catch a fish you’re particularly proud of, you could probably talk him into making a rubbing of it that you can frame and show off long after the fish has been eaten. On last month’s Black Gill cruise, I met and chatted with Savannah natives Drew and Hal Ambos, of Ambos Seafoods, who were along to contribute their perspective from the seafood industry standpoint. Later, when talking about the cruise with various friends, I was told several times, “You need to do an article on them! The Ambos family has been here forever and have helped shape today’s seafood industry.” Which is how the article on page 14 came to be. Those of you who know me, know the high value I place on honor and integrity, and these brothers have it in spades. Strong work ethics, incredibly generous, genuinely friendly, and with a true desire to give back to the community and see it thrive. I was honored to get to know them and look forward to helping them in any way possible in their endeavors. I got a phone call one morning from a Captain Shawn Smith, letting me know he’d seen the magazine and enjoyed it, and asking if I would consider adding Savannah State University’s Marine Biology department to our delivery schedule. I had no idea SSU even had a marine biology department; the wheels started churning. A couple days later on the Black Gill cruise (really glad I went!), I met SSU student Ashleigh Price, along as a researcher for the project. Small world. So I contacted department head Carol Price about the possibility of Southern Tides working with her students. Expect to see articles about the department, and research the students are doing, in upcoming issues. We can provide an outlet for the students to publish their findings
SouthernTidesMagazine.com December 2015
and provide you, our readers, with more great information. I’ve always found the Georgia DNR, particularly the Coastal Resources Division, a great source of information, and really, just good people. It’s troubled me at times the negative reaction I get on occasion when the DNR comes up in conversation. I shoot it down at every opportunity and try to highlight the amazing work these people do, as the opportunity arises. Early in the month I got an email from Nancy Butler at the DNR inviting me to attend the media release of the Coastal Georgia Ecosystem Report Card. What a GREAT piece of information! The dedicated scientists, researchers, and educators who compile the data used for this project have a passion for our coast and truly care about it. This report card demonstrates the ongoing work being done, as well as the need for further funding to grow the scope of that work. Look for upcoming articles about other projects and programs, as well as an introduction to the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation. You may see a side of the DNR you hadn’t considered before. I ran into an old friend recently! You may remember Toby Hansen from when he ran Fort McAllister Marina a few years back. He has a new project nearing completion that will be of interest to many of you outdoors enthusiasts. Toby’s constructed and will soon be opening a rod and gun club, just south of Richmond Hill. For a very small annual membership, you’ll have access to multiple ranges from 25 to 500 yards, skeet, sporting clays, a pond fully stocked with brim and sunfish, kayaks, a pro shop, a beautiful lodge, and more. If you’d like info, drop me an email and I’ll put you in touch. Congratulations Toby! I’d also like to offer a special thank you to Captain Gary “Gator” Hill. When I started this magazine, he mentioned that he’d be interested in writing on occasion. I was certain his knowledge and unique perspective would make for interesting reading and was pleased to have him aboard. But “on occasion” has turned into “every issue” and I couldn’t be happier. Given that his column is the last piece of content in the magazine, and because I think it will appeal to his dry wit, we’re going to call Captain Gary’s monthly column, “The Bitter End.” For those of you who may not know, the bitter end is the end of a length of rope or line that is tied off, securing it. I find it fitting. Thank you Gary! In closing, everyone at Southern Tides would like to wish each of you a Merry Christmas and we hope you have wonderful connections of your own this holiday season. Amy Thurman Editor in Chief
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Contributors
Captain J. Gary “Gator” Hill is a born Virginian but claims to be a native of Savannah by osmosis. Captain Gator is an avid naturalist and historian; he describes himself as one part story teller, one part educator, and one part entertainer. He works as general manager and captain at Bull River Marina; if not at work you will find him doing aerial videography around the Lowcountry.
Cody Shelley is the communications director for Tybee Island Marine Science Center. She works with incoming groups and island visitors to promote conservation and stewardship of coastal Georgia. She has been with the Center for five years and has a passion for social and environmental justice. Shelley is originally from Atlanta but now lives in Savannah with her wife and their many pets.
Michael Sullivan has been the external affairs manager at the UG Skidaway Institute of Oceanography for more than 10 years and is responsible for communications, public relations and governmental relations. He previously handled public relations and media relations for Georgia Southern University. He also served as a television news director at five television stations, most recently at WTOCTV in Savannah. Sullivan is a graduate of the University of Florida. He and his wife live on Wilmington Island.
Publisher/Editor – Amy Thurman Editorial Assistant – Jack Gandolfo Creative Director – Bridgette Thurman Contributing Writers/Photographers Captain J. Gary “Gator” Hill Cody Shelley Michael Sullivan Copyright © 2015 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 MAILED SUBSCRIPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE – CALL OR EMAIL FOR DETAILS.
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SouthernTidesMagazine.com December 2015
CONTENTS
08 14 19 24
Artist Charles Maley shares Signs of Life, part of our ongoing Local Artist Series
03 04 06 07 10 13 28 29 30 31
Meet the Ambos Family – rich in local history – in A Family Tradition
How healthy is our coast? Take a look at the first Coastal Georgia Ecosystem Report Card
Meet Ike Junior, this year’s hatchling at TIMSC, in From Straggler to Star
also in this issue Editor’s Note Contributors From Our Readers Community Updates Waddell Mariculture Center Boys Fishin’ For Toys Hydrothermal Vents Did You Know? The Bitter End Ocean Film Fest
About the Cover: Fisherman’s Memorial in Thunderbolt, Georgia. The monument, unveiled in December 1995, sits on land once owned by the Ambos family, where they got their start in this county. The dedication under the cross reads, “THIS MONUMENT IS DEDICATED TO ALL WHO TOIL FROM THE SEA.” Photo by Amy Thurman
From Our Readers
I received the second edition of your publication, and I must say that it keeps getting better!!! We are actually planning a last-minute trip down this weekend to attend the Skidaway Island Marine Day…I am sure my 3 y/o will thoroughly enjoy it! Keep up the great work! Alexandre Burgand, Macon, GA Picked up a copy of the magazine this weekend and it looks great!! I really liked the article about the reef, and the photography is amazing. I’ve always wondered where the “spanish moss” name came from! Great job! Brian Speckhals, Savannah, GA
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A hearty welcome to Southern Tides and Editor-in-Chief Amy Thurman. Well-crafted and enticing, the monthly publication is a culmination of Thurman’s expertise, talent, benevolence and her desire to educate. Creative Director Bridgette Thurman leaves us looking forward to more from this diverse and interesting collection of contributors. Thank you, we’ve been waiting. Dorie Cox, Associate Editor - The Triton, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. I just picked up a copy of the Southern Tides Magazine where I was getting my boat repaired. In another lifetime I was an oceanography major so I really enjoyed the magazine. I was interested in getting a subscription if you can provide the information. I think the amount of plastics in the ocean is very alarming. It’s probably more than any of us know with long term effects. Banning them does not stand a prayer. As a suggestion for a future article I would like to see some information on what happens to the plastics we recycle locally. Are they actually recycled or dumped with the rest of the trash. It would be interesting to see what products are recycled and information on the companies that utilize the recycled products so that consumers can support them. Greg Jucha, St. Helena Island, SC Good morning! I picked up a copy of your magazine and was enthralled by the content and the writing! Thank you. I would love to purchase a subscription – let me know how and have a fabulous day! Olivia Evans, Jekyll Island and Atlanta, GA Thank you Greg and Olivia for your interest in subscriptions to Southern Tides Magazine! That helps us tremendously! Because we don’t yet qualify for bulk rates, our subscription is priced at $25 for a year (12 issues). Call with your credit card number and mailing address, or send a check payable to Southern Tides Magazine. Thank you! Southern Tides Magazine PO Box 30724 Savannah, GA 31410 (912) 484-3611
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Altamaha Riverkeeper Event a Success The Altamaha Riverkeeper’s Clam Jam 2015 was a huge success! The funfilled gala began with local clams and oysters and continued with Georgia white shrimp and pecan-roasted Boston butts. While enjoying great food, guests bid on silent and live auctions. Winners took home framed photos of the Altamaha watershed, charter fishing trips, golf packages, Patagonia gear, unique coastal pottery and art, and much more. The Wall O’Wine winners took home 28 bottles of fantastic wines! Honored guest, Senator William Ligon, and Riverkeeper Jen Hilburn, each spoke on issues concerning the health of our waterways. The Altamaha Riverkeeper would like to thank all of their sponsors, auction items donors, and fabulous friends for joining in the celebration of the Altamaha Delta!
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Georgia Marine Business Association Meetings The Georgia Marine Business Association (GAMBA) is gearing up for an active year in 2016. Made up of marine business owners, marina managers, and other marine community stakeholders, the organization has tackled many important concerns in recent years, including bottom leases, state liveaboard laws, and the ever-present problem with ICW dredging. The organization met in late October and elected new officers. Rory Jose, with The Landings marinas, was elected President, and Amy Thurman, with Southern Tides Magazine, was elected Secretary. Jose will also serve as Treasurer with Thurman providing bookkeeping assistance. The organization will meet bi-monthly beginning in January, on the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings will rotate between Fort McAllister Marina, in Richmond Hill, and Sunbury Crab Company, near Midway. Issues on the 2016 agenda include: the permitting process for “run-up floats” over existing bottom leases, meeting with the DNR to clarify liveaboard
Community Updates Continued on pg. 29
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S igns of L ife
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with
By Amy Thurman
Charles Maley
said. “See the detail in those scales?” The process sounds simple: clean the fish, brush or dab on the ink, gently lay paper over it, and rub softly to transfer ink to paper. But of course, there’s a lot more to it. The density of the ink, blending the right colors in the right way to match the colors of the fish, applying the details, working around odd shapes, and carefully rubbing so the right amount of ink in the right spots is transferred to the paper. After the rubbing is made and has dried, he transfers the design to other media to create a variety of artwork and products. Some prints are framed and sold or presented as gifts. He did a rubbing of a state record wahoo (over 120 pounds) for
emember back in elementary school art class when you would lay a piece of paper over a leaf and color the paper with a crayon to make an imprint of the leaf? Local artist Charles Maley uses a similar technique to make prints, but instead of a crayon he uses ink, and instead of leaves, he uses fish. Yes, you read that right. He uses fish and other sea creatures in a process he refers to as fish rubbing. “You get the details of the fish with this process,” Maley 8
Left: Maley showing one of his creations: a flounder set atop a chart over the spot where the fish was caught. Photo by Amy Thurman. Right Top: Red snapper. Photo by Charles Maley. Right Middle: Stingray. Photo by Charles Maley. Right Bottom: Lookdowns. Photo by Charles Maley.
the Governor’s Cup that was framed, signed by Governor Roy Barnes, then donated to support wildlife conservation. Maley has done prints of two other state record fish as well: a mahi mahi (over 67 pounds) and a flounder (over 15 pounds). One of his first customers requested a print of a red snapper to give as a wedding gift to a charter captain and his bride. Maley also transfers his designs with silk screening. Angel Garcia, of Bahama Joe’s, taught him the technique and mentored him when Maley was just starting out. He then bought a small screen printing machine from SCAD in 1988 and began applying his fish prints to fabric. He does T-shirts for a number of companies, including his brother and s i s t e r - i n - l aw ’ s restaurant, Sunbury Crab Company. In addition, he transfers his prints to other cloth items, such as shower curtains. He’s even applied his fish rubbing prints to unusual objects such as a screen door, which was recently sold to an interior designer in south Florida. “It’s fun to work with color,” Maley said, “Trying to emulate the natural colors of the fish is a huge challenge. I enjoy it!” A biologist and marine educator, he pays close attention to getting the details as accurate as possible. When he’s not dabbling in Gyotaku, the Japanese name for this art form, Maley teaches music at an elementary school in Brunswick, Ga. He lives on the marsh on St. Simon’s Island. You can find his work at Sunbury Crab Company, St. Simons Seafood, Sapelo Visitor’s Center, Southeast Adventure Outfitters, and on his Facebook page: Signs of Life Studio.
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Ever Heard of
Waddell Mariculture Center?
I
By Amy Thurman
hadn’t heard of it, aside from seeing the sign on the way back from Hilton Head and wondering what kind of fish they cultivate. Which, of course, means there’s a need to know more. The center’s manager, Al Stokes, was kind enough to give me a tour and talk to me about their activities. Part of South Carolina DNR’s Marine Resource Research Institute (MRRI), its two primary functions are to research species for commercial seafood production, such as shrimp, and develop tools to rebuild recreationally important fish populations. “Mother Nature has a plan,” Stokes says of the Center’s programs. “We just follow it.” Over the past 15 years, Waddell has released approximately 25 million fish into South Carolina’s coastal waters, including red drum, spotted trout, cobia, and striped bass. The fish are spawned from wild fish stocks held at the Charleston MRRI facility. The larvae produced in the hatchery there are transported to Waddell and stocked in the center’s large aerated ponds. Water in the ponds is pumped in from the Colleton River and carefully tended to replicate the same environment the fish would inhabit in the wild. But without threat from predators and an abundance of natural food, there’s a much
Top: Devices like the one pictured here, circulate and aerate water in the ponds. Photo by Amy Thurman. Right: When fingerlings reach one inch, the ponds are drained and the fish are taken out, marked, then released. Photo provided by SC DNR.
higher survival rate in the ponds. Stocking hatchery produced fish in the state’s coastal waters is another management tool that resource managers use to better understand the life history of recreationally important wild fish populations. The 25 ponds on the property vary in size and the larger ponds can produce more than 100,000 fish. Each pond is aerated using a device that circulates water and adds dissolved oxygen. After the larvae are stocked in the ponds, they will remain there for 30 to 40 days. At harvest, the fish will have grown to approximately one inch in length, and are called fingerlings. While in the ponds, the water and fish are frequently monitored and a highprotein diet is added if needed. At harvest, the ponds are drained and the fish are marked and released into coastal waterways. Periodic sampling of stocked areas is conducted by DNR biologists to determine how successful the stocking program has been. DNR also relies on recreational fishermen to provide fish DNA samples, which biologists can use to identify hatchery produced fish from wild fish. The center utilizes summer interns from area colleges to help biologists during the busiest time of year. With the extra hands, more information can be gathered on each species, including sex, age, length, weight, and general health. Although that information is fairly simple, it takes time to gather and record this information fish by fish. The interns help make it possible and this allows them hands-on research experience as well. Additional help comes in the form of the Friends of Waddell organization, sponsored by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. This Not For Profit group raises money to assist with things that are otherwise difficult to fund or not in the budget at all, such as new equipment, the intern programs, and more. Stokes told of a burst pipe that caused severe damage to one of 10
SouthernTidesMagazine.com December 2015
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Left: Manager Al Stokes. Photo by Amy Thurman. Bottom: The facility has 25 ponds, the larger of which can produce 100,000 fish per cycle. Photo provided by SC DNR.
the ponds resulting in roughly $17,000 in damages. With no money in the state-funded budget, the repairs wouldn’t have been possible if not for the Friends of Waddell, who handled the repair costs. In addition to the sportfish restoration program, Waddell is also conducting shrimp production research, with the goal of developing practical commercial shrimp aquaculture practices using a biofloc based system. The center is also active with the Marine Mammal Network, Eagle Scout programs, and hosts “Evening of Science” homeschool tours. If you would like to schedule a visit for your group or organization, please contact the facility directly. Because it’s a bio-secure facility, drop-in visits aren’t possible. Waddell Mariculture Center (843) 837-3795.
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Above: Louis G. Ambos (Mr. Louis), built the first railway in Thunderbolt so boats could be hauled out for maintenance. Photo provided by the Ambos Family
For five generations the Ambos family has been an influential force in the seafood industry and in the community, with each successive generation making their own mark. Southern Tides visited with Drew and Hal Ambos to learn the history of the family, which coincides with and impacts the history of the area.
O
n an overcast November afternoon with rain clouds building to the west, I visited Ambos Seafoods on East 33rd Street. Walking across the loading dock to the office, the marshy scent of fresh seafood made me smile, as it always does. I’d met Hal and Drew Ambos on the Black Gill cruise in October and found them both to be knowledgeable and friendly as we discussed marine issues in general and chatted about mutual friends. When I later mentioned this to a few of those friends, the collective response was, “They’re good people! You know, you should do an article on their family history. They’ve
A Family Tradition By Amy Thurman
been on the water here forever.” With that endorsement, I made an appointment. In the office, Drew’s wife, Liz, greeted me and directed me upstairs to his office. Nicely appointed with comfortable furnishings, it was obvious from the many photographs and family artifacts that the family history is influential in today’s evolution of the family business. Going back five generations, there was a lot of ground to cover. “Time to bring out the history books,” Drew laughed, as we got started. Henry Ambos emigrated from Prussia around 1860 and settled in Thunderbolt, Georgia, where he opened a restaurant. The menu specialties were oysters and terrapin soup, using
Above: Henry Ambos (center) and his two sons, around the time Henry became a U.S. Citizen. Photo provided by the Ambos Family
fresh seafood straight from the Thunderbolt docks. Framed articles and memorabilia depicting these vastly popular dishes can still be seen decorating the walls of Fiddler’s Seafood on the Southside of Savannah, as well as in the Ambos’ office. Henry was also active in the community, serving on the first governing body of Thunderbolt, a commission of five men, elected in 1886, with the first meeting of the commission taking place at own his home. Thunderbolt’s first jail was built on one of Ambos’ properties, as well, for which he received an annual rent of $10.00. Henry’s son, Louis Getz Ambos (fondly known as Mr. Louis), got his start in business with oystering: leasing the oyster grounds, harvesting and selling oysters. He later became the first Thunderbolt native to work as a shrimper, starting with two boats, Sweet Pickle and Lindbergh, and eventually grew to a fleet of ten trawlers. To meet the need for boat maintenance, he built a railway to haul boats out of the water, up onto the bluff for painting and repairs. The site was just south of where Tubby’s Tank House sits today. The boatyard provided a much-needed service, as well as jobs, for the small fishing community. Another notable contribution was working
with his son to build the first freezer boat. This modernization allowed shrimpers to freeze their shrimp offshore, which in turn allowed them to stay out longer and bring back larger catches, while still keeping shrimp fresh. Like his father, Louis was also active in the community, serving on the town council for 40 years. Louis’s son, Henry F. Ambos, embodying the entrepreneurial spirit of his father and grandfather, also made his mark in business and expanded his efforts beyond Thunderbolt and Savannah, selling shrimp and oysters to canneries and trucking it as far as the Fulton Fish Market, in lower Manhattan, New York. Through his involvement with Trade Winds, Henry was able to be part of a major innovation in the seafood industry. Trade Winds began producing and distributing frozen, ready-to-cook shrimp, scallops, perch, and oysters, across the country. This made it easily available to people who hadn’t had access to seafood before. A new industry was born, increasing the consumer’s appetite for shrimp and other seafood. When Trade Winds was sold to Sea Pak in the 1960s, Henry’s son, Louis G. Ambos, II, and his twin brother Henry F. Ambos, Jr., formed Ambos Seafoods, a commercial processing and shrimping company. Their fleet of shrimp boats fished local waters, but also roamed further afield to south Florida and even into the Gulf. By keeping their boats in Key West part of the year, they found could fish the Gulf Coast and stay productive even when local waters were closed. As the shrimping industry began to decline in the 70s and 80s, the Ambos brothers began to scale back their activities in the commercial fishing industry and focus their attention on revitalizing the town of Thunderbolt, where so much of their family history was woven into the community. This brings us to the current generation of the Ambos family, sons of 16
SouthernTidesMagazine.com December 2015
Top: Ambos Seafoods shrimp boat Hal & Drew at the dock in Thunderbolt. Photo provided by the Ambos Family. Middle: Drew Ambos, left, holding a grouper, and Hal Ambos, right, holding a red snapper. Photo provided by the Ambos Family. Bottom: A family photo. L to R: Drew, Louis, Dewey, and Hal. Photo provided by the Ambos Family.
Louis G. Ambos, II, Dewey, Hal and Drew. After getting their start in their father and uncle’s company, where they learned the industry as well as the importance of a strong work ethic, the two went on to form Ambos Seafoods as it is today. As with many small business owners, they must fill many roles. Drew handles sales as well as sourcing and managing the fresh seafood side of the business, while Hal handles distribution and frozen products, with Dewey playing an integral role in logistics support. The brothers have a healthy respect for their father and all he taught them, and they put his guidance into practice every day. “Dad taught us a lot. ‘Pay attention to detail and get it right the first time,’” Drew said, smiling. “Take care of today’s problems today, because tomorrow there will be a whole new batch,” Hal added. “And if we make a mistake, we fix it.” “We really focus on customer service. Whatever their needs are, we’ll make it happen,” Drew said. “We truly value our customers. The ones who stop by on a regular basis feel much more like friends and family than business acquaintances.” When asked the secret to their success, Hal and Drew responded almost simultaneously, “It’s a team effort.” “We are so fortunate to have such great people working alongside us every day. It makes all the difference in the world. You look forward to getting here each morning because it’s far more than a job; it’s a daily effort by each of us to provide a great quality product at a great price, deliver it on time, and follow it up with excellent customer service. With changes in the economy, weather, traffic, and other unknowns, it takes everyone putting forth their best effort, every day. So it’s our entire Ambos Seafoods family along with our great customers that make it work. It doesn’t seem that the extra effort goes unnoticed, either. Hal noted, “It’s not unusual for one of our team members to get a thank you note, a holiday card, or even a surprise lunch delivered from a customer who appreciates what we do.” Keeping with the Ambos family tradition of branching in new directions as the need arises, Drew and Hal have grown Ambos
Top: The distinctive Ambos Seafoods trucks can be seen delivering fresh seafood all over the area. Photo provided by the Ambos Family. Bottom Right: The Ambos Seafood offices at East 33rd Street. Stop in for fresh seafood! Photo by Amy Thurman.
Seafoods in a new way as well, by adding additional “proteins” to their product list. While 50% of their sales is seafood, the remainder is a combination of chicken, beef, and pork, all sourced right here in Georgia, providing “center of the plate” protein foods to their clients. Partnering with Claxton Poultry Farms and Roger Wood Foods has allowed Ambos Seafoods to provide the freshest products to their clients, while contributing to the local economy. “It’s produced here and taxed here. It’s just good for our community,” Drew said. “Buy local, stay local. And our clients know when they buy chicken or meat from us, it’s only been on one truck, not shipped all over the Southeast for days. It’s fresh.” So what’s next for the Ambos brothers? As Drew put it, “Staying active in our community. We definitely want to give back. We don’t just want to be a company that does some things great. We want to be a great company, all the way around.” From where I’m standing, it looks like they’ve already achieved that goal. But go see for yourself! You won’t be disappointed.
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SouthernTidesMagazine.com December 2015
T
here’s no question, here in Georgia, we love our coast. We are proud of the pristine quality of our waterways, marshes, and barrier islands, and we support organizations that work to maintain and improve it. We proudly show it off to visitors and we fight against anything that would damage it. But how healthy is it? Following a path taken by other coastal communities to determine the health of their coastal regions, Georgia received its first Ecosystem Report Card in November. Produced by the Integration and Application Network (IAN), the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES), and the Georgia DNR, the report card assesses three areas: human health, fisheries, and wildlife. The information used to make these assessments was drawn from data collection programs in three divisions of the DNR – the Coastal Resources Division, the Wildlife Resources Division, and the Environmental Protection Division. The data is compared and contrasted against known standards and reference points. It does not address every indicator or environmental issue facing the coast simply because for some potential indicators, enough data isn’t available for comparison, but it does provide a broad look at the condition of Georgia’s coastal resources.
“Images were provided by IAN, UMCES, and GA DNR.”
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What is an Ecosystem Health Report Card? •Broad-level assessments of a region or system •Communicate complex information •Based on real data: transparent and defendable •Provide accountability •Engage communities
Indicators in the Coastal Georgia Report Card 3 Human Health Indicators
3 Fisheries Indicators
6 Wildlife Indicators
Report Card Results •Coastal Georgia received a B+, 76%, a moderately good score. •The human health index scored a 90%, or A, in 2014. •The fisheries index scored a 68%, or B, in 2014. •The wildlife index scored a 69%, or B, in 2014.
Water Quality
Georgia DNR monitors water quality throughout the coastal region. Dissolved oxygen (DO) is one important indicator used to quantify the health of a body of water. Low DO is often a sign of degraded water quality. However, some areas, especially upriver blackwater creeks and coastal estuaries not fed by freshwater rivers, naturally experience low DO in warmer months, with the expected negative effects of algal blooms, fish die-offs, and reduced species diversity typically observed in low DO conditions. A preliminary analysis of DO data from 2014 was conducted for this report card using thresholds established by the EPA’s National Coastal Condition Assessment. Coastal Georgia’s overall DO score is 81%, or an A-. Additional monitoring and research is underway by DNR to understand how changes in water quality affect these complex systems and to determine other appropriate indicators of coastal health. For more on water quality, visit CoastalGaDNR.org/cm/wq. 22
SouthernTidesMagazine.com December 2015
The three lowest index scores were for right whales calves (57%), American oystercatchers (46%), and blue crabs (22%). In the coming months, Southern Tides will talk with DNR scientists to understand why these species have scored so low and what steps can be taken to raise these scores.
We Provide Loaner Cars! •Located in scenic and historic Isle of Hope
• New water, electric, fuel, and pump-out systems So what does it all mean? We’re healthier than many area scientists expected, and better than many other stretches of coastline on the East and Gulf coasts, but there’s still plenty of room for improvement. We can do better than 76% overall, we can bring those Cs up, and we can improve monitoring other critical areas, such as water quality. However, those tasks require funding. Encourage your elected officials to make DNR funding a priority, support the Georgia Natural Resources Foundation, and take an active role in keeping our coast clean and healthy. For more information and to see the Report Card in full, please visit: http://www.coastalgadnr.org/ReportCard
• High-speed Wi-Fi and TV available at every slip • Laundry facilities on premises, bicycles, Wall Street Journal, and more! • 4000 feet of concrete floating docks (including 600 feet of deep-water face docks)
Large yachts up to 220 feet and transient boaters welcome!
Reach your target market better than any other publication in the area. • Distributed from St. Marys, GA to Beaufort, SC, and growing! • Read by boaters and others who spend their time on the water • Print ad currently includes social media interaction • Monthly ad prices range from $125 to $650
Call or email for more details: info@southerntidesmagazine.com (912) 484-3611
(912) 354-8187 50 Bluff Drive Savannah VHF Channel 16
I
By Cody Shelley
ke Junior isn’t the first to carry this name, nor will he be the last— but right now, he is the brightest star in a constellation of creatures inhabiting the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, with the mission of cultivating love, respect, and stewardship of Georgia’s dynamic coast. Ike is this year’s Marine Debris Ambassador, a weighty role supported by a team of educators and support staff that work with island visitors, local and out of town school kids, island residents, scouts, and municipalities, to spread the word about conservation. This “Ike” (it’s more a title than a name) is an adopted straggler from Ossabaw Island, on September 29, 2015. He (or she, but to keep it simple we’ll just say he) was met by science center Curator Chantal Audran on Burnside Island before being swept safely into quarantine at the center. Once arrived and settled at the science center, Ike’s progress and development are monitored closely. Curator Chantal was frequently caught returning to work late at night over the first few weeks to complete a thrice-daily feeding schedule and maintain a closely observed routine of care. Ike started out at a tiny 16.1 grams, which is less than the weight of a chicken egg! After gaining at least a gram a day to begin with, he’s now nearly seven weeks old and weighs in at nearly 40 grams. Along with weight, we measure Ike’s curved carapace (shell) length and width, to track the rate at which his shell grows and changes, especially in relation to his width. Observing Ike during his first days was awesome, in the truest sense: turtles have been in the fossil record for about 200 million years and its awe inspiring to be in the presence of a dinosaur at the beginning of his journey. Ike’s residency at the science center was kept under wraps during his quarantine, the first four weeks after arrival. Visitors who were able to join us during regularly-scheduled Behind The Scenes tours were introduced, but banned from taking photos. Ike was even welcomed to his new home by Michael Stipe, a local Georgia hero to many science center staff and the lead singer of Athens-based R.E.M. Ike wasn’t very impressed, but Mr. Stipe certainly was. Through those initial, critical weeks, Ike’s weight and measurements were monitored daily. We expect the possibility of developmental delays with a straggler sea turtle, or a hatchling who doesn’t make it out of the nest with the rest of his siblings. In nature, stragglers don’t generally make it out of their nests at all and are likely to become part of the food web. With human intervention, as part of the larger conservation work, all of Georgia’s nests are excavated and stragglers are released, giving the entire species a statistical bump. Just before Halloween, Ike made the big move out of quarantine to Creature Feature, front and center and with twice the tankage of Left: Ike Junior, fresh off the boat from Ossabaw on September 21, still covered in sand. Photo provided by Tybee Island Marine Science Center (TIMSC).
Above: Left, Ike’s first day at the Center, his “belly button” is still plainly visible. Right, when Southern Tides visited on November 19, just two months later, no belly button. Photo on left provided by TIMSC, on right by Amy Thurman. Below: Ike’s shell is measured across the widest part (left) and lengthwise (right) to monitor his growth. Photos by Amy Thurman.
when faced with creatures whose hundreds of millions of years of existence is on the verge of being extinguished in service to our own ease and convenience. Ike is adorable, and he is feisty, but more than anything he is a symbol of our task. He is the eye of the needle we’re trying to thread when we teach about watersheds, conservation, gyres, and plastic microbeads. And he’ll be here with us for a year, so stay tuned for all the great things to come. And come visit!
Left: Ike with Chantal, his handler, on Burnside Island, where they first met. Photo provided by TIMSC. Right: His shell is cleaned with Betadyne. Photo by Amy Thurman.
his quarantine space. He is hitting and passing all the developmental milestones we look for. He began diving to the bottom of his tank almost immediately upon arrival, which is unheard of. He spends time throughout the water column in his tank, suspended at different depths, like a champion swimmer who’s never heard the word “buoyancy.” He also eats. A lot. But Ike is not a beloved pet and we don’t let him eat himself sick. Rather, he’s on a tightly controlled and strictly monitored diet of sea turtle gel and seafood mash, of which he consumes two to five percent of his body weight, daily. Sea turtle gel is about as delicious looking and smelling as you’d think. It’s a gelatin- and nutrient-rich solid, filled with pureed vegetables, fish, squid, and fresh, local Tybee shrimp. It’s made in-house, by hand, and with love. Seafood mash is more a treat, after Ike’s had his veggies, and is a combo of his favorite squid and shrimp bits. As Ike grows, he’ll graduate to squid-cicles (popsicles made with squid; don’t be jealous), live fiddler crabs, swimming crabs, and sea jellies. Ike might just be one of 150,000 this summer in Georgia, but at the science center, as well as throughout Tybee Island, and our extended community, he’s more like “one in a million.” There’s no better way to convey a message, to implore stakeholders, or to inspire kids, than by introducing them to Ike. There’s something about sea turtles—maybe, especially, this one—that speaks to our nobler, altruistic selves. Perhaps we better understand our place on the planet SouthernTidesMagazine.com December 2015
One A Year In partnership with, and under the guidance of, Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources, the science center raises one hatchling loggerhead each year, for one year, before releasing them into the Gulf Stream to live out their turtle lives. Loggerheads, like all sea turtle species, are federally protected and are Tybee’s hometown nesting heroes. Tybee Island had ten loggerhead nests this year (not to mention a particularly astounding leatherback visit- see the October issue). The State of Georgia’s mere 100 miles of coastline was home to over 2300 nests this year, breaking its previous loggerhead nesting record. With anywhere between 80 and 120 eggs per nest, and thanks to the diligent work of the state and volunteers, we know that more than 150,000 live hatchlings made their way across Georgia’s beaches toward their great Atlantic adventure this summer. We tell all our visiting kids that it’s a hard-knock life for a loggerhead sea turtle hatchling: only one in 4,000 will make it to reproductive maturity, so we have to do everything we can to encourage the success of each nest, nesting mom, and hatchling. 27
Skidaway Institute Scientist Explores Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vents By Michael Sullivan (Image provided by Skidaway Institute of Oceanography)
University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography scientist, Aron Stubbins, joined a team of researchers to determine how hydrothermal vents influence ocean carbon storage. The results of their study were recently published in the journal Nature Geoscience. Hydrothermal vents are hotspots of activity on the otherwise dark, cold ocean floor. Since their discovery, scientists have been intrigued by these deep ocean ecosystems, studying their potential role in the evolution of life and their influence upon today’s ocean. Stubbins and his colleagues were most interested in the way the vents’ extremely high temperatures and pressure affect dissolved organic carbon. Oceanic dissolved organic carbon is a massive carbon store that helps regulate the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere—and the global climate. Originally, researchers thought the vents might be a source of the dissolved organic carbon. However, their research showed just the opposite. Lead scientist Jeffrey Hawkes, currently a post-doctoral fellow at Uppsala University in Sweden, directed an experiment in which researchers heated water to 380 degrees Celsius, 716 degrees Fahrenheit, in a scientific pressure cooker to mimic
the effect of ocean water passing through hydrothermal vents. The results revealed that dissolved organic carbon is efficiently removed from ocean water when heated. Organic molecules are broken down and the carbon converted to carbon dioxide. The entire ocean volume circulates through hydrothermal vents about every 40 million years. “This is a very long time, much longer than the timeframes over which current climate change is occurring,” Stubbins explained. It is also much longer than the average lifetime of dissolved organic molecules in the ocean, which generally circulate for thousands of years, not millions. “However, there may be extreme survivor molecules that persist and store carbon in the oceans for millions of years,” Stubbins said. “Eventually, even these hardiest of survivor molecules will meet a fiery end as they circulate through vent systems.” The study on “Efficient removal of recalcitrant deep-ocean dissolved organic matter during hydrothermal circulation” is available at http://www.nature.com/ngeo/journal/v8/n11/ full/ngeo2543.html.
Did You Know? Cont’d. practices, the need for ICW dredging, and other topics as they arise. For information on membership/ participation, email amy@southerntidesmagazine.com. Fishin’ For Jamie Check Presentation On Tuesday, November 17, Fishin’ For Jamie, Inc. presented a check for the proceeds of this year’s fundraiser to the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer and Research Pavilion. This year’s fundraiser included a golf tournament, in addition to the annual fishing tournament, and supp orters raised a sum of $24,500.00 for cancer research. This brings the total donated since the tournament began to well over $100,000. “Outstanding for a small group of people who loved a close friend. He is looking down on all of us with a smile,” said Chris Caldwell, tournament organizer. Jamie Fulcher battled melanoma cancer for three years until he passed away in November, 2007. Fishin’ For Jamie is a way to honor his memory and raise funds for other affected by this cancer. Please remember to wear sunscreen!
The white pelican is a winter visitor to the southeastern United States and is very easy to distinguish from our resident brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis). This striking bird will migrate back to select inland areas in the western half of the country for the summer breeding season. • When visiting South Carolina and Georgia, they are typically found around freshwater impoundments and coastal, estuarine waters. • The white pelican is very large with a body length of 62” and a wing span of 108” – that’s 9 feet! They are also one of the heaviest flying birds in the world. • Unlike brown pelicans that can be seen plungediving for food, white pelicans dip their pouched bills into the water to scoop up small fish, amphibians and crustaceans. • These clever birds have even been known to work together at corralling schools of fish during feeding. They will migrate back to select inland areas in the western half of the country for the summer breeding season.
White Pelican
Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
Change in Sea Trout Regulations GA DNR has announced a change to spotted sea trout regulations, effective January 1, 2016. There will be an increase in size limits from the current 13-inch length, to 14 inches in length. There will be no change to the existing catch limit of 15. The extra inch in length allows the trout to reach its second year of spawning, which can mean an increase of 22-25% more eggs per spawn, thereby improving the sea trout stock.
Photo by Lisa Olenderski
: Georgia’s Boat Graveyard
By Captain J. Gary Hill
Photo by Captain J. Gary Hill We live in uncertain times, and as we struggle to make ends meet, we have to make decisions regarding how and where our hard-earned dollars will be spent. Among the first to take a hit are our leisure and recreational items, and for many that spells B.O.A.T. The old clichéd acronym, “Break Out Another Thousand” doesn’t strike very far from reality. When things get tight, there can be hard choices to face: do we sell, or do we keep putting off the inevitable? Though the choices may be hard, there are correct and incorrect ways to deal with them. Sadly, the wrong choice is sometimes made: to abandon the vessel and let nature take its course. On any given day in Georgia waters we see evidence of this, with between 100 and 200 boats left derelict on our waterways. That number may sound huge, but Florida, just to our south, has an estimated 1,500 potential hazards going to waste. Like a ticking bomb, it’s just a matter of time until there’s an explosion. These derelicts are not only eyesores, but a menace to navigation – especially at night, as most are unlit. However, the greatest threat is from an environmental standpoint. Once seaworthy, these now fragile shells contain compounds that, if released into the water, could greatly impact the areas around them. Imagine harvesting oysters from an area where fuel or battery acids have been released. As we’ve already learned from a few articles here in Southern Tides, oysters are
great filters as they pump water though their systems, but they aren’t capable of completely cleaning a fuel spill. Even worse to consider is what may be left inside the oyster in the way of toxic waste? So, what can be done? The first step is to locate and mark the location of all derelict and sunken vessels posing a hazard. This is currently being done by the Georgia DNR using advanced GPS and ArcIMS application server-based technology. Once all the information is uploaded, it’s my understanding that users will be able to go online to see where the potential problem sites are, whether or not there’s a risk to navigation, and then allows them to add the location to their GPS. Locating the hazards is only the first step; the next is to locate the owners and hold them legally accountable. The State of Georgia is becoming increasingly more aggressive, employing measures including the loss of boat registration privileges as well as vehicle registrations for automobiles and other vehicles if you’re found to be in violation. The DNR is also asking for input from area boaters; thousands of eyes on the waterways will make their job much easier. If you spot a derelict vessel, record the GPS coordinates (longitude and latitude), or if you don’t have a GPS, be as detailed in the location as possible and send this information to buck.benett@gadnr.org. But the greatest hurdle, by far, is money. With the economy still struggling, funding for projects like this are considered low priority by the powers that be. Last year the General Assembly did appropriate $180K for the cleanup project, which is a great start, but is still sorely inadequate to the funding needed to properly remove these hazards from our waters. With the coming elections next year, now is the time to petition our representatives to aid in this worthwhile project.
Gray’s Reef Ocean Film Festival
WHAT: Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary presents “Wonders of the Ocean,” awe-inspiring ocean films that will mesmerize viewers! Big-screen 3D movies open the festival, which also includes a selection of healing and adrenalinepumping films to honor military veterans and Guy Harvey shows that tantalize fishermen. One of America’s premier whale rescuers, Ed Lyman, will speak about his work, and on the final night, award-winning cinematographers will tell stories of their underwater adventures. For movie lovers of all ages, emerging filmmakers will be recognized, and a fun and educational children’s film will delight young viewers! WHERE: Savannah’s National Historic District -- Savannah, GA 31401 3D movies will be shown at the Trustees Theater Other movies will be screened at the Lucas Theatre on Reynolds Square WHEN: Friday, January 29 and Saturday, January 30, 2016 PHONE: (912) 598-2345 Email:
graysreef@noaa.gov
Website: www.graysreef.noaa.gov Facebook: NOAA Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary Twitter: @GraysReefNMS A sample of festival movies: Friday Night: Secret Ocean 3D directed by Jean-Michel Cousteau Humpback Whales 3D - Greg MacGillivray Speaker: Ed Lyman, Humpback Whale Rescuer Saturday: Journey to the South Pacific - Greg MacGillivray The Oceanic White Tip Shark - A Guy Harvey Expedition Aliens of the Deep: Lionfish - A Guy Harvey Expedition The Crystal Labyrinth - David Pearson Resurface - Josh Izenberg and Wynn Padula The Current - Kurt Miller Secret Life of Predators - National Geographic Speakers: Paul & Grace Atkins - Emmy-Award Winning Filmmakers SouthernTidesMagazine.com December 2015
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