Artificial Reefs
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ARTIFICIAL REEFS FALL 2018 / VOLUME 63 From the President If you build it, they will come. That’s the premise of Area 51 and Area 53, the eerily named marine BOARD OF DIRECTORS protected areas operated just off our coastline by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). Chairman Richard Roth Jonathan Zucker Missy Sauls In this instance, they refer not to ghosts of baseball legends, aliens Scott Snider Co Vice-Chairmen Peter Stonefield or other supernatural phenomena, but to imperiled fishes and species Pete Sniderman James H. “Jeddie” that might otherwise be overfished or depleted by other stressors. Dixon Woodward Suddeth III Emily Swanson For almost two decades, SCDNR has kept the location of these areas Treasurer George Watt secret, so that fish can spawn and congregate around artificial reefs J. Donald Higgins Pam Wilson Director Emeritus Tom Wright without the pressure of commercial and recreational fishing. This Stephanie Yarbrough increases the prospect that certain species, primarily snapper and Secretary Catherine Smith Chairmen Emeriti grouper, can grow to maturity. James L. Ferguson* Vice Secretary Kenneth “Ken” Seeger Jim Twining Hilton C. Smith, Jr. One persistent threat remains, however, in the form of voracious M. William lionfish, an invasive species from Asia that has an insatiable appetite Members Youngblood, Esq. Elizabeth Colbert- Jerry Zucker* and no natural predator save one – humans. The South Carolina Busch Aquarium is partnering with SCDNR to study the effects of removing Larry Colshan Directors Emeriti Peter Conway Pat Conroy* lionfish from Areas 51 and 53, to determine changes to the abundance John Danahy John Danahy and diversity of other species. Dierdre Fortson William A. Finn Clark Gillespy Bruce Hecker Fredrick “Fritz” Gitter, J. Donald Higgins Joining in the pursuit of knowledge and research about our marine M.D. Sheila Hodges W. Andrew Gowder, Jr. Peatsy Hollings* environments is central to our mission. That’s why the Aquarium Steve Gray Kate Jerome is partnering with NOAA, South Carolina Sea Grant, the College of Dwayne Green Robert R. Macdonald Jim Hansen Layton McCurdy, M.D. Charleston and others in staging the OCEANS 2018 conference in John A. Hill The Honorable Robert Charleston. This annual event brings together more than 2,500 of Mason Holland E. McNair* Valerie Howell Mary Alice Monroe the world’s leading scientists, technologists and oceanographers to David Johnston The Honorable examine critical marine issues and innovative solutions, and it is being Satch Krantz Richard W. Riley Brenda Lauderback Victor Samra, Jr.* held in the Southeast U.S. for the first time. The program is being Gary McLaurin Theodore Stern* completed as this issue goes to press, and you can learn more by Jay Millen John Neely *deceased visiting our website or oceansconference.org. Our commitment to science and preserving the natural world is only TRIBUTARIES STAFF made possible through the generous support of members like you. Thank you for helping us to protect what we love, and to sustain our EDITORIAL STAFF oceans for future generations. Amie Yam-Babinchak, Senior Manager Advancement Communications [email protected] Jessica Cooper, Membership Manager [email protected] Sarah Burnheimer, Editor & Staff Writer [email protected] Danielle Raub, Staff Writer Kevin Mills, President and CEO [email protected] DESIGN STAFF Tracey Waters, Art Director & Graphic Designer [email protected] Hannah Zickmund, Graphic Designer [email protected] Membership Department [email protected] (843) 579-8518 Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Aquarium News Litter Sweeps Successful Becoming a Sensory- Renovations in the on Mosquito Beach Inclusive Facility Saltmarsh Aviary Alongside Island Breeze restaurant and We’re working toward becoming a Beginning this fall, the Saltmarsh Aviary Preserve the Gullah, a nonprofit focused sensory-inclusive facility with the help is undergoing some pretty significant on preserving the historical, economical of KultureCity, a nonprofit organization upgrades! Along the perimeter of the and ecological legacy of the Gullah dedicated to creating acceptance and exhibit, the mesh netting will be removed culture, we partnered to host a series of inclusion for all individuals. Staff and and replaced with new material. This litter sweeps and educational programs volunteers will undergo training to will take approximately four months throughout the summer to clean up the better accommodate guests with sensory to complete. During this time, the legendary Gullah Geechee community of issues like autism, PTSD, Parkinson’s, Saltmarsh Aviary will be closed so that Mosquito Beach on James Island. Despite OCD, ADHD and stroke patients. maintenance workers can place scaffolding pressure from developers, this waterfront inside the exhibit to make removal and community remains in its natural state, Some hurdles for guests with autism replacement easy and efficient. Where offering habitat for local wildlife. Using include bright lights, loud sounds, will our birds go during this time, you the Litter-free Digital Journal, a citizen crowds and communication. Starting might ask? Not to worry, they’ll be science project of the South Carolina this November, we will have sensory enjoying a staycation in private quarters Aquarium, conservationists collected kits available to help guests with at Charles Towne Landing over in West and logged hundreds of pieces of autism and their families enjoy Ashley until the renovations are complete! litter, including cigarette butts, straws, the Aquarium! Thanks to a grant Stay tuned for details and updates. bottle caps, food wrappers and more. from Volvo Car US Operations, the Lowcountry Autism Foundation will Anyone can participate in or plan a litter be able to test out the kits during a sweep in their own community – visit private Sensory Seas event onsite. scaquarium.org/citizenscience to learn more! Kits include noise-cancelling headphones, fidget tools, maps that highlight quiet and sensory areas, identification tags and communication cards. These kits can be checked out free-of-charge upon arrival. 1 1 What’s Happening SHRIMPING CLINIC SOUTHERN SPIRITS WITH SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF AN AFTER HOURS EVENT NATURAL RESOURCES OCTOBER 26 OCTOBER 20 7 – 10 p.m. 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Aquarium Melton Peter Demetre Park (Sunrise Park), James Island Celebrate Halloween with spooktacular tastings of some of the best spirits in Get ready for shrimping season with the South! Come in tasteful costume this hands-on clinic in partnership with and prepare your palates to sample SCDNR and Good Catch partner, The drinks from local distilleries and Mills House – Wyndham Grand. Practice beyond. Sustainably sourced small shrimping from a dock, learn the basics plates from Good Catch partners, of shrimp baiting and get tips to make entertainment and a beer and wine bar your shrimping efforts more successful. are also provided with purchase of your SIRENS OF THE SEA Afterwards, enjoy a Lowcountry boil! all-inclusive ticket. Event is 21+. TRACKING LOCAL MANATEE MIGRATIONS Recommended for ages 8 and up. $15 Tickets are $45 each, and member per member. Reservations required; to tickets are $40. Learn more at NOVEMBER 6 reserve, call (843) 579-8518. scaquarium.org/afterhours. 6 – 7:30 p.m. Aquarium THE LITTLE GYM At this Holland Lifelong Learning session, learn all about the sirens of the sea! Manatees, enormous yet NOVEMBER 6, DECEMBER 4, docile marine mammals, visit the South JANUARY 8 & FEBRUARY 5 Carolina coast annually. Despite their 10 – 10:30 a.m. size, they are rarely seen. Learn more Aquarium about this elusive animal and what The Little Gym helps lay the foundation tracking studies are uncovering with for children to become coordinated, retired SCDNR veterinarian confident and involved little people Dr. Al Segars. Buy tickets at through activities such as warm-ups scaquarium.org/lifelonglearning. MORRIS ISLAND BOAT CHARTER to directive music, tumbling and more! WITH COASTAL EXPEDITIONS Recommended for ages 2-5. Free for members. Registration opens one DANCE MOVES OCTOBER 20 month in advance, and space is limited. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Reservations required; to reserve, call NOVEMBER 8, DECEMBER 13, Coastal Expeditions Shem Creek Campus (843) 579-8518. JANUARY 10 & FEBRUARY 7 10 – 10:30 a.m. You can’t go wrong with cruising Aquarium over the inlet and viewing the Morris Island Lighthouse in the foreground. Join us for a fun and energetic class This outing is timed with a lower tide from Dance Moves of Charleston! to allow for some walking on the Explore basic ballet moves, warm- nearshore bars that emerge around ups and stretches, movements across the lighthouse, giving photographers the floor, jumping and turning. Boys opportunities at different angles. As and girls ages 2-6 are welcome. you take in the sights, you’ll be greeted Comfortable clothing or dance attire by a myriad of birds, dolphins and recommended. Free for members. more! $25 per member. Reservations Registration opens one month required; to book, call Coastal in advance, and space is limited. Expeditions at (843) 884-7684. Reservations required; to reserve, call 2 (843) 579-8518. There’s always more to explore SCAQUARIUM.ORG/CALENDAR MEET THE KEEPER (REPTILES) TADPOLE EXPLORERS HAVANA NIGHTS SEA LIFE BY STARLIGHT PARTY NOVEMBER 10 NOVEMBER 17 10:30 a.m. – noon 8 – 9 a.m. DECEMBER 8 Aquarium Aquarium 8 – 11 p.m. Aquarium Join our herpetologist, Joshua Zalabak, Guests from ages 1-3 get the Aquarium on a fun “edventure” and learn what all to themselves! Enjoy stations in the Celebrate the holidays in steamy it’s like to care for some of our scaly Lower Ocean Gallery including animal Havana Nights style and support a animals at the Aquarium. Find out how encounters and foam block building. bright future for sea turtles at the 8th he handles venomous snakes, watch Snacks, coffee and muffins will be annual Sea Life by Starlight. Come salsa as he feeds a snake and learn how he provided.