Data & Tools
Air Data & Tools
Air Monitoring Sites Air Quality Forecast Asphalt Facilities Concrete Facilities Crematories Landcover Calculations Meteorological Data and National Elevation Dataset (NED) for AERMOD QuarriesInformation for Shellfish Harvesters
Each year, South Carolinians consume our local oysters and clams, confident that they are safe to eat. South Carolina's oyster and clam harvesting areas are routinely monitored for fecal coliform bacteria. Excessive levels of these bacteria may be an indicator of the presence of human disease causing organisms. Few people realize that shellfish harvested illegally from closed waters pose a…, COMING SOON!, Another serious threat to public health and the shellfish industry is the discharge of untreated fecal material into growing shellfish areas. Under no circumstances should untreated fecal waste be allowed to discharge overboard or into any shellfish harvesting area. Discharge of untreated waste is illegal and adversely impacts water quality - potentially resulting in harvest area closures. It is…, Shellfish Closure Updates, For shellfish closure updates, visit our interactive map or call 1-800-285-1618 .Procedures for Shellfish Area Closure and Openings
Whenever a National Weather Service Hurricane Warning is issued, all open areas (Approved/Conditionally Approved-open status) within the warning area are immediately closed to harvest., These precautionary closures remain in affect pending an evaluation of storm-related pollution impacts. Areas will be reopened when the Department determines that conditions are acceptable for the sanitary harvest of shellfish. Open Shellfish Areas are also Closed Upon actual receipt of a 24-hour rainfall total of 4.0 inches or more. Shellfish water quality monitoring stations within the area are…, Shellfish Closure Updates, For shellfish closure updates, visit our interactive map or call 1-800-285-1618 .Shellfish Bed Monitoring
SCDES's , 25 shellfish management areas, contain over 450 monitoring stations The purpose of this monitoring network is to provide data that accurately reflects the sanitary conditions of coastal shellfish and shellfish growing waters in South Carolina and to ensure that the health of shellfish consumers are protected. Evaluations of growing areas that meet National Shellfish Sanitation Program requirements are conducted annually.…, Shellfish Map of Monitoring Stations Locations, Area Classifications, and Potential Pollution Sources, South Carolina Shellfish Management Areas map graphic, Shellfish Closure Updates, For shellfish closure updates, visit our interactive map or call 1-800-285-1618 .Shellfish Certified Shippers
A certified shipper is a person engaged in the business of selling, distributing or otherwise transporting shellfish and who has a valid certification as a Depuration Processor (DP), Shucker-Packer (SP), Repacker (RP), Shellstock Shipper (SS), or Reshipper (RS) issued by the state in which his facility is located. It is unlawful to offer for sale shellfish that have not been processed by a…, Shellfish Closure Updates, For shellfish closure updates, visit our interactive map or call 1-800-285-1618 .Shellfish Management Areas and Classification System
South Carolina currently has 25 management areas comprising approximately 578,000 surface acres of estuarine and coastal riverine habitat suitable for the cultivation and harvest of molluscan shellfish. These management areas are assigned water quality classifications for the primary purpose of public health protection. The Department uses combinations of the following harvesting classifications…, Approved, - Areas that are normally open for the direct marketing of shellfish for human consumption. Approved areas must not exceed an established water quality standard., Conditionally Approved, - Areas that meet criteria for an Approved classification except under predictable conditions. Closure criteria and subsequent re-opening procedures are described in an area-specific management plan. Conditions that normally result in these temporary closures are often rainfall-induced (non-point source runoff or excessive river levels/flows)., Restricted, - Areas exceeding Approved area water quality standards and normally closed for direct harvesting activities but where harvesting may be allowed by special permit. Shellfish from Restricted areas are frequently relocated (Relayed) to Approved areas where they remain planted for a period of time adequate to allow natural cleansing., Prohibited, - Areas that are administratively closed for the harvesting of shellfish for any purposes related to human consumption. These closures are established adjacent to permitted wastewater discharges, marina facilities, or areas containing multiple point sources of pollution. The Prohibited classification is not based upon violation of a bacteriological standard., Shellfish Closure Updates, For shellfish closure updates, visit our interactive map or call 1-800-285-1618 .Shellfish Maps
Monitoring Stations Locations, Area Classifications and Potential Pollution Sources, Maps for shellfish management areas , Shellfish Closure Updates, For shellfish closure updates, visit our interactive map or call 1-800-285-1618 .Shellfish Monitoring Station Reports
The program's 25 shellfish management areas contain over 450 monitoring stations The purpose of this monitoring network is to provide data which accurately reflects the sanitary conditions of coastal shellfish and shellfish growing waters in South Carolina and to ensure that the health of shellfish consumers are protected. Data from both the monitoring network and classification system provides…, 2025 Reports, Georgetown, Horry Counties Shellfish Management Area 1 Shellfish Management Area 2 Shellfish Management Area 3 Shellfish Management Area 4 Shellfish Management Area 5 Shellfish Management Area 6A Charleston County Shellfish Management Area 6B Shellfish Management Area 7 Shellfish Management Area 8 Shellfish Management Area 9A Shellfish Management Area 9B Shellfish Management Area 10A Shellfish…, Shellfish Closure Updates, For shellfish closure updates, visit our interactive map or call 1-800-285-1618 .Shellfish Permits
Certain shellfish operations/activities require a permit from the Department. Permit types include; Relaying Permit, Wet Storage Facility Operating Permit, Wet Storage Facility Construction Permit, Depletion of Closed Area permit, Depuration Harvest Permit, Aquaculture Facility Construction Permit, and Aquaculture Facility Operating Permit. There are currently no fees charged for these permits.…, Shellfish Closure Updates, For shellfish closure updates, visit our interactive map or call 1-800-285-1618 .