McClellanville Outdoors

Oystering in the Cape Romain Wildlife Refuge

With the hot temperatures, you wouldn’t think it was almost time for oyster season again, but the season should be opening up around September 16th this year. As the fall temperatures drop, it will feel more like the time for oyster roasts. You can go to one of the seafood markets in McClellanville and get fresh local oysters soon. Carolina Seafood market (843) 887-3845 and Bulls Bay Seafood (843) 887-3519. If you want the experience of gathering oysters yourself, there are several public shell fish grounds in the Cape Romain Refuge. A saltwater fishing license is required to gather any shellfish. There is a limit of 2 bushels per person per day with a total limit of 6 per boat. Recreational use is limited to 2 times in a 7 day period (total of 4 bushels per person per week). Click here for a map of public shell fish beds. Beds are subject to closure at any time due to heavy rainfall or other potential contamination, so call (843) 953-0150 to check for status of public beds.
	Be sure not to gather oysters or clams on private leases. These shell fish are property of commercial fishermen that often spend considerable amounts of time and money planting and cultivating the leases as there only source of income. If you don’t want to do the work for yourself, you can get someone else to cater your oyster roast. Walter Wrixon of Coastal Caterers specializes in putting on oyster roasts and Lowcounrty boils. Go to www.OysterRoasts.com for more info.
When you are done, be sure to recycle the shells. It helps the helps provide surface for new oyster beds insuring that they will be there next year. Click here for a maps of shell recycling locations.