SH-to-the-R-to-the-I-M-P. You can't phase me, I'm crustazy!

May 29, 2024 12:23 PM

The Town of McClellanville, South Carolina revolves around seafood: Shrimp, Fish, Oysters, Crabs, and Clams. Shrimp are the bread-and-butter of the industry. Each year they celebrate the Blessing of the Fleet, with it's own underground anthem referenced in the post title ([4m14s], Some NFSW Lyrics) Vimeo or YT. The industry is threatened by more than imported shrimp (previously, previously): the owner of the fish house is ready to retire, with no one in line to take over.

The town is in danger of losing the fish house

As many traditional working waterfronts become vulnerable to high-end residential development, commercial activity, and climate change, much of the South Carolina commercial seafood industry has been affected by changes in waterfront property use. The changes make it increasingly difficult for commercial fishermen to secure dependable and affordable docking space, fuel, and ice. This is cause for concern among McClellanville, S.C. watermen and their community, as the town’s largest seafood business owner is approaching retirement and the future of the working waterfront along Jeremy Creek is uncertain.

So they have set up a foundation and developed a Master Plan to preserve the industry in the Town.

The speculative value of the waterfront property upon which Carolina Seafood sits likely exceeds its use value as an ongoing business. That is, it is worth more as vacation or resort property than as Carolina Seafood
...
Providing the watermen with fuel and ice on credit against future delivery of harvest is an ordinary practice by Carolina Seafood and Livingston’s both. This benefits the wholesalers and allows harvesters to maintain cash flow. Watermen also described that Mr. Leland would extend credit for unexpected expenses. This ranges from “slack” in payment time to fronting the cost of important engine parts or equipment for the boats, and so forth, against future payment. After Mr. Leland’s retirement, his successor at Carolina Seafood may not be inclined – or financially able – to provide this sort of financial cushion.

They have also started an apprenticeship program with the SC Sea Grant Consortium. Before you sign up, check the list to see if this adventure right for you:

• Do not get seasick or motion sick
• Are able to work outside in bad weather
• Do not mind getting dirty and smelling of fish and rancid smells

Don't forget the less-adventurous bullet points:

• Are financially responsible and able to make sure your taxes get filed
• Are comfortable getting your own health insurance coverage

Disclaimer: I have friends and family who work in and adjacent to the industry. I live 40 miles away and am an enthusiastic consumer.

Bonus Lowcountry Oystering Video: Mud and the Blood [12m]

posted by ElGuapo (1 comment total)

It's nice to see someone pushing back against turning the whole SC coast into luxury development that's just going to blow over at the next big hurricane. (We have enough luxury places that nobody can afford!) It was interesting to see how the fish house served an important economic function--a sort of informal bank!
posted by mittens at 5:02 AM on May 30 [1 favorite]