Four years of shell recycling in South Carolina - A perspective

摘要

South Carolina's shellfish industry has transformed from leaseholder held cannery-based businesses to shell stock production that has dramatically altered harvesting and husbandry of intertidal oysters. In addition, legislative changes have created common pool resource bottomlands that provide increased access for commercial and recreational harvesters. In response, the state initiated a voluntary shell-recycling program for its coastal counties in the spring of 2000. The sine qua non for continued shellfish propagation (oyster shells) was recognized by early harvesters whose livelihood depended on returning shells to sustain harvest areas. This presentation discusses how South Carolina is dealing with the net removal of oyster shells from shellfish growing areas from management and research perspectives. We discuss one of our most successful partnerships, a focused commitment to shell recycling and restoration in a small coastal village as part of a special area management plan. Establishing shell drop-off sites, partnering with restaurants and oyster roast caterers, purchasing shell, and using media to promote shell recycling all contribute to large-scale accumulation. Adaptive management of research, such as shell quarantine and bottom placement evaluations, is used to enhance, restore, and propagate the intertidal resource and habitat.