South Carolina spreads native eelgrass

Members distributed the seedlings of native eelgrass to competitors in a tournament and asked them to drop them in their fishing holes.

The Cooper River Bassmasters of South Carolina has an interesting way of helping spread native vegetation. At a recent tournament, officials asked competitors to help out.

Cooper River members acquired seedlings of eelgrass, a plant that is native to South Carolina. They attached small weights to the seedlings, then asked competitors in an annual fundraising tournament on Santee Cooper Lakes to drop the seedlings overboard when they arrived at their first fishing location.

The eelgrass addition should help control the abundant hydrilla.

“We have noticed an increase in eelgrass over the last couple of years as the hydrilla is reduced,” explained Chance Bralley, conservation director for the South Carolina B.A.S.S. Federation Nation. “Eelgrass will hold bass 10 to 1 over man-made brushpiles. We are excited about the return of the eelgrass and what it has to offer the fish population.”

Bralley added that the group plans to continue helping on this type of project in the future.

 

This article is part of the Habitat Improvement segment of the larger report, 2011 Annual Achievements in B.A.S.S. Conservation.