Oyster lovers can mark their calendars as the 2024-2025 season for the recreational harvest of shellfish, including clams and oysters, opens in South Carolina waters on Tuesday, October 1st, beginning a half-hour before sunrise.
The season will remain open through May 15th, 2025, unless unforeseen conditions prompt an early closure or extension.
As always, environmental factors like hurricanes, major rain events, or pollution spills could lead to temporary closures of shellfish beds.
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) will monitor the water quality, issuing updates to harvesters via its hotline at 1-800-285-1618 and on its website’s interactive map . Any closures will also be announced through local newspapers and other media outlets.
Recreational harvesting is permitted on all Public and State Shellfish Grounds in approved water quality areas.
South Carolina has 20 Public Shellfish Grounds and 7 State Shellfish Grounds designated exclusively for recreational harvest.
An additional 58 State Shellfish Grounds are open to both recreational and commercial harvesting.
To find your harvest location, recreational harvesters should consult updated maps of shellfish grounds, as designated areas change annually. Maps for the 2024-2025 season will be available on the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) website prior to the season’s opening.
A Saltwater Recreational Fishing License is required to harvest oysters and clams. These licenses can be purchased online or at many fishing supply stores.
Harvesters are limited to two U.S. bushels of oysters and one-half bushel of clams per day, with a maximum of two harvest days within a seven-day period. Clams must be at least one inch thick, and each boat or vehicle is limited to three personal harvest limits.
SCDNR also encourages harvesters to “cull in place,” meaning you should break off dead shells and smaller oysters on the shoreline and leave them behind. This practice helps maintain the habitat for future generations of oysters.
Additionally, SCDNR urges everyone to recycle their oyster shells. Collected shells are used to restore shellfish grounds throughout the coastal region.
Locally, there is a drop off location at The Sands Beach in Port Royal. For drop-off locations near you, visit the SCDNR website or call (843) 953-9397.
For commercial harvesting, a commercial saltwater license, mandatory training, and additional permits are required for those interested in commercial harvesting.
With the oyster season just around the corner, now’s the time to prepare for a bountiful harvest while also ensuring that oysters will be plentiful for future generations to enjoy.
