HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — Horry County’s stormwater team is working to install oyster reefs in the Murrells Inlet watershed. The effort is made possible with Coastal Carolina University, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the Coastal Conservation League.
Between Atlantic Avenue and Cypress Avenue in Garden City, oyster reefs will soon be installed to help improve water quality and prevent erosion.
“People usually think of oysters they think of yeah they’re yummy or gross,” Michael Hodges, a wildlife biologist with SCDNR said. But he added, they aren’t just for eating.
More than 20 years ago SCDNR started SCORE , or the South Carolina Oyster Recycling and Enhancement program.
Since then, it’s installed multiple oyster shell recycling bins and reefs along the Grand Strand. These recycled shells are used to create the reefs.
“People think oh, what is one or two bushels you know like I’ll just throw them away,” Hodges said. “Well, those one or two bushels from thousands of people can add up really quickly.”