An American alligator sunbathes at Santee Coastal Reserve (Photo: Emma Berry/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 September?

• Water temperatures remain high. Consider avoiding fishing for adult or ‘bull’ red drum until temperatures drop and spawning ends in October.
• The 2026 SC shrimp baiting season opens September 11th at noon. 
• Sea turtles are still hatching. Keep lights out for loggerheads if you’re on the beach!
• September is SC’s peak hurricane month. Make sure you’re prepared.

SC is having a banner year for loggerhead turtle nests | Post & Courier

Bird’s eye view: Reserves advance oyster reef drone monitoring in the Southeast |  NERRA

Captain Sams Spit conservation deal moves forward after budget approval | ABC4 News

How SC is fighting derelict boats polluting Lowcountry salt marshes | The Island Packet

South Carolina youth continue to excel in national wildlife competition |  ClemsonNews

Advanced Pier Fishing (Myrtle Beach)  |  Wednesday, September 9th, 6PM – 8PM  | This clinic builds on the introductory class to pier fishing. We will teach you how to tie your own rig, advanced knots and more technical aspects to pier fishing, such as using spoons or lures. Kids ages 6+ and adults are welcome. You must RSVP here to attend.

ACE Basin Property Tour (Edisto Island)  |  Friday, September 11th, 9AM – 12PM  | Join SCDNR Staff on a tour of the ACE Basin where we explore the cultural and natural resources found throughout Botany Bay Plantation Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area! Register here.

ACE Basin Fun Day (Edisto Island)  |  Saturday, September 12th, 10AM – 1PM  | This free event will have hands-on activities, booth, scavenger hunts and a chance to ride on the E/V Discovery for an educational boat ride in the ACE! You must register here for the boat ride.

SCORE MWR Fabrication w/ Casual Crabbing with Tia (Charleston)  |  Wednesday, September 16th, 9AM – 12PM  | Volunteers will help cut, bend, and fasten galvanized wire to form a reef structure and then shovel recycled oysters into shaped wire. These reefs will be used to attract oyster larvae to their new forever home! You must register here to attend.

Mackerel Pier Fishing (North Myrtle Beach)  |  Saturday, September 19th, 8AM – 11AM  | This clinic will teach you how to tie fishing knots, rig a rod and reel for targeting mackerel, cast and more! Kids ages 6+ and adults are welcome. You must RSVP here to attend.

SCORE Trash Picking w/ Charleston Waterkeeper (North Charleston)  |  Tuesday, September 29th, 1PM – 3PM  | Volunteers will use trash grabbers to pick trash out of recycled shells. Recycled oyster shell will be used to replant various State Shellfish Grounds and for various restoration projects. You must register here to attend.

Mommy & Me Saltwater Fishing Clinic (Georgetown)  |  Friday, October 2nd, 10AM – 1PM  | Fishing Clinic for moms and kids! Join SCDNR, North Inlet NERR Staff and SCDNR certified instructors to learn the basics of saltwater fishing. You must RSVP here to attend.

SCORE Trash Picking w/ Charleston Waterkeeper (North Charleston)  |  Tuesday, October 6th, 1PM – 3PM  | Volunteers will use trash grabbers to pick trash out of recycled shells. Recycled oyster shell will be used to replant various State Shellfish Grounds and for various restoration projects. You must register here to attend.

SCORE MWR Fabrication (Charleston)  |  Thursday, October 8th, 9AM – 12PM  | Volunteers will help cut, bend, and fasten galvanized wire to form a reef structure and then shovel recycled oysters into shaped wire. These reefs will be used to attract oyster larvae to their new forever home! You must register here to attend.

Take A Kid Fishing Day (Horry County – multiple locations)  |  Saturday, October 17th, 8AM – 11AM  | Join SCDNR & partnered Horry County Fishing Piers for the annual Take a Kid Fishing Day. This event will take place over multiple piers. Kids over the age of 3 and one adult guardian will get to fish for free! Participating children must RSVP to attend and be a SC resident.

Interested in saltwater fly fishing clinics? You can keep an eye out on our calendar at www.saltwaterfishing.sc.gov for upcoming clinics. Fly fishing clinics will only advertise for a short window and have limited capacities.

We’re hiring!

Wildlife Biologist I | Georgetown County, SC | The employee will conduct face-to-face interviews with marine recreational anglers following protocols established by the NOAA Fisheries Marine Recreational Informational Program.

Building/Grounds Specialist | Charleston, SC | This employee will be responsible for groundskeeping, landscaping, minor repairs and maintenance duties for the research and administration facilities of SCDNR, Marine Resources Division at Fort Johnson.

Natural Resource Technician II | Charleston County, SC | This employee will be responsible for assisting with habitat development work on the Upper Coastal Waterfowl Project.

See all open SCDNR jobs here. Click Search Openings, Filter, Search Agency, Department of Natural Resources.

Landscape at Samworth Wildlife Management Area (Photo: SCDNR).

Partner Opportunities

Training Program Coordinator | North-Inlet Winyah Bay NERR | Georgetown, SC | This highly collaborative role strengthens science-informed management, builds stakeholder capacity, and supports the Reserve’s mission to protect and sustain South Carolina’s coastal resources through education, engagement, and applied science.

Executive Director | Open Land Trust | Beaufort, SC | The Open Land Trust seeks an experienced and community-minded Executive Director to lead South Carolina’s first and oldest land trust into its next chapter of conservation impact across the southern Lowcountry. 

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.

An angler demonstrates fish best handling practices by keeping the red drum horizontal and in the water. (Photo: Kaitlyn Hackathorn/SCDNR).