{"id":1813,"date":"2022-11-21T10:04:15","date_gmt":"2022-11-21T15:04:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/?p=1813"},"modified":"2023-05-05T09:48:54","modified_gmt":"2023-05-05T13:48:54","slug":"the-importance-of-recycling-oyster-shells","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/palmeravacationclub.com\/blog\/2022\/11\/the-importance-of-recycling-oyster-shells\/","title":{"rendered":"The Importance of Recycling Oyster Shells"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Going by the \u201cR Rule,\u201d we\u2019re in the thick of oyster season.  And to catch anyone up who\u2019s never heard of such a rule, any month that includes the letter \u201cr\u201d is typically considered oyster season. We won\u2019t get into the nitty gritty of farm-raised, year-round oysters either, we\u2019ll save that for another time<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here in the Lowcountry, oyster season parallels the time of year when the weather gets cooler, making outdoor\u00a0events\u00a0and activities much more enjoyable. \u00a0Oyster roasts and other food festivals seem to take over the calendar, suddenly giving way to the\u00a0holiday season\u2014another busy time and cause for celebration and community gatherings. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Charlotte Coneybeer<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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Oysters have been at the root of our coastal communities for centuries.  Historians have observed that the indigenous groups that inhabited areas such as Hilton Head Island not only relied on oysters as a main food source, but used them as tools and for trading purposes.  Fast forward to a booming industry throughout the sea islands that sold canned oysters, and to generations of residents and visitors who up until today can see oysters on an abundance of restaurant\u2019s menus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s easy to only think about oysters being beloved as an appetizer or in a po\u2019boy, but their importance far exceeds the plate garnished with a lemon and tabasco sauce. \u00a0Oysters act as an important filtration system for the waters they\u2019re in, removing contaminates and excess nutrients. One oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day. The clusters of oysters, often called oyster reefs, serve as homes to many different fish species. The reefs are also known to absorb waves, helping with erosion control. \u00a0And with all that being said, oysters help coastal economies other than just sale of oysters alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Clint Patterson<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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So, what would happen if one day oysters suddenly disappeared? We\u2019d be in big trouble.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re certainly not at that point, but populations have been declining throughout the United States. \u00a0While oysters in South Carolina are still considered abundant, evidence that human activities have affected the populations negatively. These activities include a myriad of things, but the more oysters are taken out of the waterway, there are less shells for oyster larvae to attach to for the oyster to continue to live and ultimately go on to reproduce. \u00a0The shells have been used by many generations for a wide array of reasons from construction, agriculture, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Robert Linder<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
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The Department of Natural Resources started SCORE (South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement Program) to help restore the state\u2019s oyster habitats.  Recycling oyster shells is key in rebuilding reefs, while awareness of the importance of oysters is also a top priority.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before you start throwing your old oyster shells back into the water, please know that there is a months-long process to cleaning and returning shells back into waterways to rebuild these reefs.\u00a0 If you do find yourself with shells left over from a dinner party or oyster roast, you can drop them off at designated recycling centers throughout the area. To find the closest one nearest you, use this\u00a0interactive map<\/a>\u00a0provided by the DNR. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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