Crab Bank Seabird Sanctuary welcomes 1st nest
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — The Crab Bank Seabird Sanctuary is officially open. An American Oyster Catch already planted a nest there.
The crab bank has been out of commission since 2017 because of Hurricane Irma, but now it is back and bigger than before.
The bank is a 32-acre island near Shem Creek that will serve as a seabird sanctuary.
"These birds have a place to rest, to feed their young, where they will not be molested by their predators," said Robert Boyles, SCDNR director.
The sea bank will be used as a safe nesting place for birds. It's a place where they can safely lay their eggs and hunker down without worrying about any disturbances. The opening of the crab bank comes at the perfect time.
"You typically see the birds start to come back around March, and they will be here throughout the summer until September/October, then the birds will be gone and nesting season is over," said Lorianna Riggin, SCDNR.
The crab bank will also attract a unique traffic flow of birds for another reason.
"This island is also going to be a great migration stop-over site for birds. A lot of birds are moving through heading to the North and on the long journey they need a place to spend the night," said Felicia Sanders, Wildlife Biologist SCDNR.
The sediment used to build the crab bank came from the deepening of the harbor. About 660,000 cubic yards of sand sediment was used to build it.
"Because the core was deepening the harbor, we had access to that grainy sediment. We needed that grainy material. We can't use silk material to build islands for beneficial use," said Lorianne Riggin, SCDNR.
"The core now has a goal for 70 percent of dredging projects to have a beneficial component. Right now we are just at 30 percent, but crab bank is helping us to get to 31," said Lisa Metheney, Senior Civil Army Corp of Engineers.
Governor Henry McMaster attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. He believes the bank is a good example of how multiple agencies can work together for a common goal.
"The commerce of the port, Shem Creek, Mount Pleasant and all of the surrounding area, living and working together with this beautiful part of nature," said Gov. McMaster.
SCDNR wants to remind everyone the crab bank is closed to the public. You can look at the island from a distance, but you can't visit it.