SC Coast, South Carolina – Oyster Reefs Restoration

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources plays a crucial role in the conservation and preservation of our state's natural resources and beauty.

The following photos were taken by Barry Gooch, who is Field Coordinator for the Cooperative Research Program run by DNR. They show how old crab pots could be recycled as a substrate for developing new oyster reefs. We are grateful to both Barry and SC DNR for allowing us to share these photos with you.

Everybody can do their part to ensure that South Carolina continues to have enough tasty oysters for generations to come. DNR runs the Oyster Recycling and Restoration Program, which provides oyster shells to replenish existing oyster beds. Without old shells to replenish existing beds, new oysters have nowhere to live. You can also learn further about taking part in some great projects with the South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement Program (SCORE).

As oyster shucking houses have closed along our coast, the natural cycle of collecting oysters, eating them, then returning the shells to the oyster beds has been broken. Oysters are great water filters and provide protection against shoreline erosion from passing boats. Thus, their importance to our coastal environment goes far beyond our plate.