A SCDNR biologist holds an Atlantic sharpnose shark after measuring and tagging it as part of a routine longline survey. Tagged animals are released back into the ocean. (Photo: Erin Weeks/SCDNR)

Welcome to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Coastal Updates newsletter! You are receiving this email because you attended one of our public programs or signed up for updates from our agency. In this monthly newsletter, you’ll find the latest outdoors news, volunteer opportunities, useful career information and more. We hope it will help you enjoy and protect our state’s beautiful coastline.

What’s happening outdoors along the coast in August?

• It’s HOT out there–and not just on land. High temps stress fish too. Consider avoiding fishing for large, adult red drum until temperatures drop and spawning ends in October.
• Florida manatees migrate to South Carolina when the water is warm to enjoy our aquatic vegetation. Want to help these visitors on their journey in South Carolina? Report your manatee sightings to SCDNR biologists here.

Women’s Inshore Saltwater Fishing Clinic (Georgetown, SC) |  Thursday, July 30th, 8:30AM – 11:30AM  | This clinic will teach you how to tie fishing knots, rig a rod and reel and cast. Women ages 12+ are welcome. You must RSVP here to attend.

Saltwater Fishing Clinic (Okatie, SC) |  Saturday, August 1st, 8:30AM – 3:30PM  | In partnership with the Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center, we’re offering 2 fishing clinics as a component with the Inshore Slam Fishing Tournament. We will teach you how to tie knots, rig your rod, cast, what bait to use and what fish you can catch! You must RSVP here to attend.

Surf Fishing Clinic (Murrells Inlet, SC) |  Thursday, August 6th, 7:30AM – 10:30AM  | You will learn how to set up your tackle, tie fishing knots, choose the best rigs and bait and surf cast. Kids ages 6+ to adults are welcome. You must RSVP to attend.

Saltwater Pier Fishing Clinic (Hunting Island, SC) |  Saturday, August 8th, 8AM – 11AM  | You will learn how to tie fishing knots, rig a rod and reel and cast. Kids ages 6+ to adults are welcome. You must RSVP here to attend.

Flounder Fishing at the Pier (North Myrtle Beach, SC) |  Saturday, August 8th, 8AM – 11AM  | This flounder fishing pier clinic will teach you how to tie fishing knots, rig a rod and reel for flounder, cast, techniques and more! Kids ages 6+ to adults are welcome. You must RSVP here to attend.

Saltwater Pier Fishing Clinic (North Myrtle Beach, SC) |  Wednesday, August 12th, 8:30AM – 11:10AM  | This pier fishing clinic will teach you skills on how to tie fishing knots, rig a rod and reel and cast. Ages 6+ to adults are welcome. You must RSVP here to attend. 

Advanced Surf Fishing (Myrtle Beach, SC) |  Wednesday, August 12th, 6PM – 8PM  | This class will teach skills on how to tie your own fish finder rig, advanced knots and more technical aspects to surf fishing. Kids ages 6+ to adults are welcome. You must RSVP here to attend.

SCORE MWR Fabrication (James Island, SC) |  Wednesday, August 19th, 9AM – 12PM  |  Join SCORE and Casual Crabbing with Tia to build manufactured wire reefs (MWRs) that will be used as substrate for larval oysters! All volunteers must RSVP ahead of time in order to secure your spot as slots are limited. 

Blue Crab Crabbing & Tagging Clinic (McClellanville, SC) |  Wednesday, August 26th, 8AM – 11AM  | Participants will learn recreational crabbing techniques, blue crab biology, new South Carolina blue crab regulations and conservation best practices. Participants will be helping collect data and tag blue crabs for ongoing research under SCDNR biologists’ supervision. All ages are welcome. You must RSVP to attend.

ACE Basin Fun Day (Edisto Island, SC) |  Saturday, September 12th  |  Save the date! More information to follow.

We’re hiring!

Natural Resources Technician II |  Colleton County, SC  | This employee will be part of the ACE Basin NERR Stewardship program, and will assist with the management of McKenzie Field Station in Bennett’s Point, South Fenwick Island WMA and St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve/WMA.

General Maintenance Technician III |  Charleston County, SC  | This employee will be responsible for completing tasks on the Upper Coastal Waterfowl Project.

Natural Resources Technician II |  Berkeley County, SC  | This employee will be responsible for assisting project staff in the operations and pond grow out of numerous species of fish at Bayless Hatchery and Dennis Wildlife Center.

Natural Resources Technician III |  Berkeley County, SC  | This employee will be responsible for assisting the hatchery manager with all pond harvest activities at Bayless Hatchery and Dennis Wildlife Center.

General Maintenance Technician II |  Charleston County, SC  | This employee will be responsible for monitoring, maintaining, controlling, and repairing electromechanical systems (e.g. HVAC, plumbing, electrical, generators, lighting, safety systems, and other associated building systems).

Vehicle/Equipment Repair Technician II (Hourly) |  Charleston County, SC  | This employee will work within SCDNR’s Vessel Operations Section at the Marine Resources Division. 

Watercraft Captain I (Hourly) |  Charleston County, SC  | This employee will be responsible for piloting, navigating and operating SCDNR – MRD’s R/V Silver Crescent to support education and scientific research. 

See all open SCDNR jobs here.

SCDNR crustacean biologist, Jordan, holds a tagged blue crab. (Photo: Erin Weeks/SCDNR)

Other Opportunities with Partners

Director of Preservation – Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor |  Remote within Gullah Geechee Corridor (NC, SC, GA, or FL)  | This is an exceptional opportunity for a preservation professional who is passionate about cultural stewardship, community collaboration and ensuring that one of America’s most significant living cultures is preserved for future generations. The deadline to apply is August 7th.

Restoration Crew Member (Fall Cohort, 18 weeks) – The Sustainability Institute |  North Charleston, SC  | This cohort within the Environmental Conservation Corps will engage in habitat restoration activities in public parks, forests and waterways. The deadline to apply is August 10th.

C.A.R.E. Scholarship – Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (SEAFWA) |  The Conservation Access, Relevancy, and Engagement (C.A.R.E.) committee is actively seeking students to participate in the 80th Annual SEAFWA Conference October 26th -30th in Nashville, Tennessee. The deadline to apply is August 14th.

Berkeley County boaters asked to watch for manatees as gentle giants return to local waterways |  The Berkeley Observer

Belle W. Baruch Foundation and SCDNR announce new partnership |  News 2

SCDNR and Wounded Nature-Working Veterans remove nine boats at Johns Island landing |  ABC4 News

SCDNR encourages reports of non-native blue land crabs |  News 2

August and September are peak spawning months for red drum in South Carolina!

August and September are peak spawning months for red drum in South Carolina, and successful spawning activity is critical to producing the next generation of red drum, like the fingerling seen below.

If you’d like to help the population rebound, give these adult (or bull) drum a break from fishing pressure during these months. They’ll still be around when temperatures dip and spawning ends in October – after they’ve had a chance to contribute to next year’s crop of young fish.

Photo: David Fladd

Photo: SCDNR