Myrtle Beach Residents Prepare for Upcoming Shellfish Harvesting Season Starting October 1

Myrtle Beach Residents, Get Ready for Shellfish Season!

Hey, Myrtle Beach! If you love oysters and clams, mark your calendars because the best time of the year for shellfish harvesting is just around the corner. Yes, you heard it right! The 2024-2025 recreational shellfish harvesting season will officially kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 1, kicking off a season full of delicious seafood delights. The fun will continue until Thursday, May 15, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to dig in!

What’s the Scoop on Shellfish Harvesting?

The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is the go-to authority for shellfish harvesting and they’re always on the lookout for anything that could pose a health risk while eating our beloved mollusks. They regularly monitor the shellfish areas and will adjust the harvesting season based on water temperatures and bacteria levels. In fact, thanks to the cooler water temperatures we experienced last year, the harvesting season was able to be extended through the end of May!

However, it’s not all smooth sailing; there are times when temporary closures happen. For instance, after heavy rainfall or a pollutant spill, SCDES may close certain shellfish beds to ensure safety. To stay updated, you can easily check for the latest closures on their interactive map available online or by giving them a call at 1-800-285-1618.

Where Can You Go Harvesting?

Now here’s the twist for our Myrtle Beach residents: While you might expect to find endless oyster beds around here, the unfortunate news is that harvesting in the few available beds in the city is still a no-go due to ongoing health concerns. The same goes for the Little River Inlet area up north.

But don’t fret just yet! You can still collect fresh shellfish at SCDES-approved areas a bit further out. Murrells Inlet is a hotspot, and you can also check out areas near Huntington Beach State Park or even in Georgetown County close to Winyah Bay. If you venture just north of Huntington Beach, you can even access shellfish without needing a boat, though you will have to do a bit of wading!

Do You Have the Right License?

Before setting out on your shellfishing adventure, make sure you’ve got your ducks in a row when it comes to licenses. Recreational crabbers and clammers only need a SCDNR Saltwater Recreational Fishing License, which you can snag online or at lots of local fishing supply stores. Super easy, right?

Harvesting Limits You Need to Know

But hold your horses! There are limits to how much you can collect. In a seven-day period, you’re allowed to harvest on only two days. On those particular days, the limits are 2 bushels (or 16 gallons) of oysters and half a bushel (4 gallons) of clams per day. Plus, remember that there are rules about sizes; clams should be at least an inch thick, and it’s best to only keep oysters that are at least 3 inches large.

Be a Responsible Harvester!

As much as the excitement of harvesting is in the air, let’s be good stewards of our environment. The SCDNR encourages all harvesters to cull-in-place, which means breaking apart clusters to leave smaller oysters to mature. Also, if you come across any dead shells, leave them intact to create vital habitats for other oysters. Don’t forget about recycling those shells—SCDNR has several shell-recycling bins around the Grand Strand, including spots in North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Conway, Murrells Inlet, and Georgetown. Just don’t take any shells from these areas—doing so is illegal!

Final Thoughts

So, Myrtle Beach, it’s time to get your gear ready and enjoy what nature has to offer! With the 2024-2025 shellfish harvesting season just around the corner, we can’t wait to see you out there enjoying some good old-fashioned family fun while gathering the freshest oysters and clams. Happy harvesting!