Want to harvest South Carolina oysters? Here’s when you can and how to avoid fines

In less than two weeks, harvesters can head to razor-sharp reefs to pluck up Lowcountry delicacies.

South Carolina’s coastal waters will open to recreational harvesters looking to collect oysters and clams on Oct. 1, a half hour before sunrise. The season closes May 15.

But harvesters must understand that the world is, in fact, not actually their oyster. Instead, it’s a world that’s regulated by the state. Time of day is regulated, quantity is limited and harvesting methods are specific. Not all of the shellfish beds are open to licensed recreational harvesters. And getting caught violating the state’s harvesting laws comes at a cost.

What’s the catch limit?

Recreational harvesters can take two bushels — 16 gallons — of oysters in day and/or one-half bushel of clams per person each day. That is limited to two calendar days per seven-day period. Each boat or vehicle can have up to three personal limits.

What about harvesting methods?

South Carolina does not enforce specific oyster harvesting methods, but it encourages harvesters to cull in place, meaning the harvester breaks off and leaves dead shell and smaller oysters on the shoreline. The method also includes only taking clusters or singles of larger oysters.

Culling in place allows for a healthier habitat for future oysters to grow, according the state’s Department of Natural Resources .

Using scoops, scrapes, tongs, or dredges to take shellfish without a permit is illegal.

What about closed shellfish beds?

At times, because of weather events, spills or unsafe levels of bacteria, sites can close. It’s best to check the state’s online map for shellfish harvest closures before heading out to harvest.

There are 20 public and seven State Shellfish Grounds that are managed exclusively for recreational gathering, according to SCDNR. Another sites are managed for both recreational and commercial harvest.

What about a license?

Harvesters with a Saltwater Recreational Fishing License can take oysters from state shellfish grounds (labeled with an S on the online map). They can also harvest from public shellfish grounds (indicated by an R).

Ensure your state-issued Saltwater Fishing License is among your gear and up to date. To legally recreationally harvest, a license must be in possession.

The costs for licenses are:

• Resident annual $15
• Resident three-year $45
• Nonresident annual $75
• Nonresident seven-day $35
• Nonresident one-day $10

What if you violate state law?

Recreational harvesters taking shellfish from public shellfish grounds for commercial purposes or selling or attempting to sell can face a misdemeanor charge and, upon conviction, will be fined between $100 and $500 or imprisoned for up to 30 days, according to state law .

Collecting beyond recreational harvest shellfish limits is a misdemeanor that carries, upon conviction, a fine between $25 and $200 or imprisonment for up to 30 days. The entire list of state shellfish harvesting laws can be found on the South Carolina Legislature’s website .

What about the empty shells?

Do not trash empty oyster shells.

For baby oysters to grow, the spat need a hard, shell-like surface to attach to. When there aren’t enough shells recycled back to the waterways, it limits oyster population growth. Maintaining a healthy oyster population allows for other species to have habitats, and the bivalves’ shells filter water and lessen erosion.

SCDNR’s statewide oyster shell recycling program lets people off load shells at many locations, mostly along the state’s coast. Pickup services for larger amounts of shell may be available. Recyclers are urged to separate shells from trash and keep shells in a porous container to reduce odors as they dry for the recommended six months. Live oysters are not to be tossed back into waters and neither should freshly-shucked shells.

Theft of shell is illegal.