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Floating oyster cages in South Carolina at center of controversy


Floating Oyster beds in South Carolina are at the center of a controversy. (WCIV)
Floating Oyster beds in South Carolina are at the center of a controversy. (WCIV)
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There’s no doubt the Lowcountry loves eating oysters. But, there’s some concerns about how oyster farmers are feeding the demand.

Eating oysters has become a year-round trend since summer harvest was approved in South Carolina in 2017. Floating oyster cages are at the center of the controversy. Floating cages make year-round harvesting possible.

“I did not realize when we voted and we all voted unanimously that what we were going to be talking about just allowing summer harvest would be floating cages,” said Senator Sandy Senn, R- District 41.

Senn held a meeting Monday to hear from all parties involved in the issue.

Genevieve Hays gave a 15-minute presentation and spoke on behalf of the boating community. She said they’re concerned about safety and the environmental impacts, particularly how much space floating cages take up. Hays said she feels there’s too much emphasis placed on the business side of the issue.

“I hope that we can put a pause on this industry until everyone and all of these concerns can be discussed and thought out,” Hays said. “We don’t want to end up like North Carolina where 250 acres were leased away from the public in just five years.”

Floating cages currently take up a total of 25-acres in South Carolina waterways, according to DNR. Since approving summer harvest, five permits have been issued statewide.

Trey McMillan, owner of Lowcountry Oyster Company, was issued one of the permits. He attended Monday’s meeting and said his business is held to high standards and practices in accordance with the permit.

“I don’t want people to be misinformed, there’s a lot more good than bad that comes with this industry and it’s something that can revitalize a very important ecosystem,” McMillan said. “I wish it was just as easy as it sounds to go out there, put some cages and grow 200,000 oysters and make $200,000, unfortunately that’s not how it works.”

McMillan said his business currently utilizes 400 floating cages, the permit allows for a maximum of 750 cages.

A SCDNR spokesperson said the permitting process is vigorous and can take anywhere from 18-months to two years from the initial inquiry to completion.

Julie Davis, a mariculture farmer and member of the S.C. Shellfish Growers Association, also gave a presentation, which countered some of the criticism.

“There’s no greater advocate to healthy water and a clean environment than a shellfish farmer whether they’re growing oysters, clams, or mussels,” Davis said. “Oysters are filter feeders, so without clean water, we’re out of business.”
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