State reps tour Waddell Mariculture Center

With the threat of budget cuts closing the doors of Bluffton's Waddell Mariculture Center, manager Al Stokes had a simple message for state and local legislators Thursday at the South Carolina Coastal Caucus.

"Pay attention to the kind of work that we do," Stokes said at the event, held on the center's grounds to educate lawmakers on Waddell's accomplishments and contributions to the local environment and state economy. "We'd like to continue our work. We can't afford to lose it."

The center, operated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, isn't getting any state-appropriated money this year -- a budget cut of $351,000, said DNR deputy director for marine resources Robert Boyles Jr.

In past years, that money was used for renovating the 24-year-old facility, which Stokes said is crucial to continuing the center's fish stocking program, marine research and technology development.

Operating costs are covered by revenue from saltwater fishing licenses and federal grants, Boyles said.

The money lost this year will be made up across DNR by not filling 16 vacant positions and by reducing costs associated with rebuilding artificial reefs, managing shellfish grounds and stocking red drum, Boyles said.

The DNR board also is meeting next week to evaluate other cost-saving measures.

"If the budget remains like it is today and there are no more cuts before June 30, we can make it by balancing within the agency," Boyles said.

Stokes said the center's work maintains and enhances statewide fisheries, which bring in about $1.5 billion a year from recreational anglers.

Red drum, for example, is the most popular fish caught in South Carolina, Stokes said. The statewide fishery is valued at over $160 million. To date, Waddell has restocked it with about 19 million red drum.

State Sen. Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, said he wasn't aware of Waddell's value until recently. Getting more state dollars will be based largely on increasing awareness of the center, he said. He then acknowledgedthat next year is a "tough budget year."

David Harter, president of Friends of the Rivers, which helped to host Thursday's meeting, said Waddell needs to market its work to the rest of the state. The caucus was a first step in doing so.

Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-Bluffton, agreed the meeting was beneficial and helped legislators realize the "fiscal impact" of Waddell.

Becoming a priority on the state budget, however, will require a local representative on the House Ways and Means Committee, he said.

That could happen in the coming weeks, he said. Appointments will be made by Dec. 2. The next legislative session starts in January.