SCK's get a new DNR representative.

Those that have been following the SCK's for some time now may remember our SCDNR contact, Jason Powers.  Well, Jason was offered some fancy, smancy job in some far away land called Washington DC.  He will be assisting states in the development of renewable energy resources.  Jason was a great help and a friend to us.  He will certainly be missed by all.  However the SCK's are now blessed to have Kim Counts working with us. And, the kids already thinks she's terrific.

Kim went for her first ride along with the SCK's as we pulled prospect pots in our continuing effort to find stone crabs along the inland waterways. And for the first time in weeks .... we had stone crabs in our traps.

Now comes the opportunity to figure out why they are hanging out in this particular area.

Possibilities may be:
1. Food Sources
2. Water Temperature
3. Saturated Oxygen Levels
4. Salinity
5. ?

If you have an idea we would love to add it to our list. stonecrabkids@comcast.net

The area in which we found them was a large open shoal along the ICW ( Intracoastal Waterway ) called Wadmalaw Sound. There are loads of oyster banks and the bottom is muddy but fairly hard. Interesting note: the first prospect pot we pulled was right up against an oyster flat and not a single crab. We thought we were going to have to search out another area. Then just across the sound up against another flat .... booyah!  Harvestable size stone crabs.  Big males like the one AnnahBelle is holding as well as females with egg sponges.  No apparent difference in habitat ... just opposite sides of the sound.  Why? That question will drive us nuts!

But not as nuts as pulling empty pots.  Booyah!