Local shrimpers find unusual seagrass as shrimp season begins in South Carolina

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – One local shrimper is finding a mysterious seagrass out on the open waters near Shem Creek.

Rocky Magwood, a fourth-generation shrimp captain, has been fishing the Lowcountry waters for decades. He typically fishes near Charleston, around five miles offshore of Shem Creek. However, in the past month, he’s encountered something brand new.

“It’s crazy, I’ve never seen this grass before – nothing like this. I mean we see some grass sometimes, but nothing like this. I mean it’s unbelievable how bad this stuff is,” said Magwood.

The unusual seagrass is getting caught in shrimpers’ nets and has caused them to move their operations elsewhere.

“The guys shook the nets for around two and half hours on our ride down south to go back to where we were to start with. It took them a long time to get it all out, but it was kind of rough on the way home to get it shook out,” Magwood said. “It’s crazy it’s like a matte. I guess it makes a rug out of the net, clogs up all the holes. You can’t move the net no more, just makes the net go to the bottom. Just can’t work there.”

Magwood said other shrimpers have told him they’ve spotted it as well. Those areas include Isle of Palms, Sullivan’s Island, and Mars Island. His operation has now moved towards south of the Charleston Harbor, causing him to run out of fuel and take longer to get back to his customers.

“I’ve heard there was a case of it down near Key West is what I’ve kind of heard from somebody. But, we’re not sure if it’s the same grass or not. We’re just curious to get to the bottom of what grass is it and where it’s actually came from,” Magwood said.

News 2 reached out to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. They are not commenting at this time, but confirmed a report of the grass. SCDNR has not confirmed what it is or taken samples. The shrimper doesn’t know how long it will linger, but hopes he can get answers soon.

“Around here we haven’t been able to work at all because you can’t make a tow long enough because of this grass. You know everywhere else but around here – the grass is just terrible here,” Magwood said. “You can make drags around off of Folly and up at Bulls Bay, but here this grass just showed up and we can’t hardly work here at all.”

As his operations shift, Magwood is not giving up on his normal spot just yet. He said he will try again next week to see if there’s any improvements.