OYSTER AND CLAM SEASONS WILL CLOSE MAY 15, MAY 31

South Carolina's 2005 oyster season will close Sunday, May 15, while the clam season has been extended through Tuesday, May 31. This applies to both recreational and commercial shellfish harvesting. Both seasons close at one-half hour after official sunset on those dates.

"South Carolina law authorizes the extension of oyster and clam season when warranted by biological or other conditions," said David Whitaker, director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Office of Fisheries Management in the Marine Resources Division. "We have had requests from the shellfish industry for this extension due to market conditions and favorable weather. We have extended the season by a couple of weeks in several years past."

After these closing dates, coastal waters will remain closed to recreational and commercial shellfish harvesting for wild clams and oysters until this fall. Shellfish harvesting season normally opens on Sept. 16 of each year.

"Preliminary reports from commercial harvesters indicate that this year's season was at least equal to last year's, which was above average," said Bill Anderson, who heads the DNR's Shellfish Management Section. "The previous year's commercial oyster landings were the highest in nine years; however, final production figures for this year will not be available until July or August this year."

The public is reminded of Coast Watch, which was developed to better help citizens report violations of saltwater recreational and commercial fishing laws, as well as marine environmental laws. The Coast Watch hotline number (1-800-922-5431) is toll-free and available 24 hours a day. The S.C. Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Region Four, based in Charleston, is responsible for enforcing coastal recreational and commercial boating/fishing regulations.

- Written by Mike Creel -

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