By Ed Atkins Jr.
I am a Gullah/Geechee fisherman and the owner of Atkins Live Bait, one of the oldest businesses in Beaufort County. There are many challenges already facing our fisheries on St. Helena Island. I am grateful that Beaufort County has upheld our island’s Cultural Protection Overlay (CPO) zoning because it provides long-term protection for generations of Gullah/Geechee to continue to sustain their livelihoods from the rural lands and waters of our historic and culturally significant sea island.
I have shrimped, fished, crabbed, and harvested oysters around the marshes and creeks of St. Helena Island and the Pine Island area for 60 years. Today, bait is scarcer and harder to come by than in my younger years.
And, while I can still use my cast net to fill my bait tanks, I often fish at night to avoid the heat of the day. At one time, it was common to catch saltwater catfish, which are now less plentiful.
We all know that Beaufort County is growing rapidly, and we are already experiencing the impact. The County should stick to its correct decision to keep the CPO zoning in place. A gated golf resort at Pine Island concerns me gravely, because it not only runs counter to our rules and policies, but also could impact natural resources that are already under increased pressure, and that are both culturally and economically important to my family and business, along with many other local families and businesses.
I am concerned about runoff and chemicals entering the waterways, strains on our water supply, boat traffic, and loss of habit that may occur from a golf course development, even if steps are taken to lessen this impact.
One need not look far south to Hilton Head and Daufuskie islands to see how resort development displaces native island communities and lifestyles. Thankfully the St. Helena community had the foresight, and the support of Beaufort County leadership, to interrupt this pattern of loss through the CPO.
There is only one St. Helena Island. We must remain vigilant and protect it for the next generation of young people to carry on the Gullah/Geechee fishing traditions that have sustained us for hundreds of years.
Ed Atkins, Jr., is the owner of Atkins Live Bait.
