2024 S.C. Sea Grant Consortium

Research Symposium

May 15-16, 2024 | Coastal Carolina University, Conway, South Carolina

Welcome

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium’s Research Symposium will bring together scientists, students, and stakeholders from the Southeast region. Our goals are to share research impacts, build networks to address emerging issues in coastal science and management, and define action steps to enhance equity and community-driven solutions.

All members of the regional coastal science community are welcome, including: past, current, and aspiring S.C. Sea Grant Consortium researchers, students, educators, resource managers, and community representatives who co-develop and use on-the-ground research.

This year’s theme is: Connecting Across: Creating meaningful results through trust and partnerships in coastal science.

Presentation and Poster Abstracts

Speaker Bios

Symposium Objectives

Share recent research-based “success stories” from Consortium-funded researchers and students.

Attract new partners through engagement and training.

Provide networking opportunities among researchers and the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium team.

Train participants to build diversity, equity, and inclusion through research programs, and create long-term community relationships.

Educate current and new partners about opportunities for research support from the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium.

Draft Agenda

Day 1 (Wednesday, May 15)

8:30 to 9:00	Registration and Light Breakfast Allen Ballroom, Singleton Building
9:00 to 9:15	Opening Remarks Michael T. Benson, President of Coastal Carolina University Susan Lovelace, Executive Director of S.C. Sea Grant Consortium
9:15 to 10:00	Panel Discussion: Connecting Across Sectors: *Hooked on Cooperative Fisheries Research* Michael Arendt, Assistant Marine Scientist, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Kerry Marhefka, South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Member and Co-owner of Abundant Seafood Matt Perkinson, Saltwater Fishing Outreach Coordinator, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Aaron Watson Associate Marine Scientist, Estuarine Finfish Research Coordinator, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
10:00 to 10:45	Research Presentations: *Connecting Across Disciplines* Pravin Nath, Clemson University. Producer and Consumer Preferences for Direct Marketing of Seafood Products in South Carolina Sara McDonald et al., South Carolina Aquarium. Conservation Beyond Our Walls with Communities Across South Carolina Clare Escamilla, Clemson University and Levi McKercher, University of S.C. Evaluating Floating Treatment Wetland Ecosystem Service Benefits in Coastal South Carolina Stormwater Ponds through Resident Engagement and Field-Based
10:45 to 11:00	Break
11:00 to 11:45	Panel Discussion: *Connecting Across Regions: Developing Science-Based Collaborative Partnerships* Debra Hernandez, Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) Howard Schnabolk, NOAA Fisheries/South Atlantic Salt Marsh Initiative (SASMI) Ke’Ziyah Williamson, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium
11:45 to 1:00	Lunch (provided) Sustain Coastal presentation Student poster lightning talks
1:00 to 2:00	Research Presentations: *Connecting Across Systems* Darcy Perin, University of S.C. Evaluating Nitrogen Removal in Stormwater Control Measures Along a Vegetation Gradient in Coastal South Carolina Morolake M Fatunmbi, Clemson University. Understanding the Implication of Phosphorus in Coastal Stormwater Ponds Angelos K. Hannides, Coastal Carolina University. Seasonality, Natural and Human Interventions Affect the Water Quality of an Urbanized Tidal Swash William Patterson, University of Florida. Estimating Atlantic red snapper population size via Bayesian hierarchical modeling of trap-camera and ROV count data and genetic close-kin mark-recapture
2:00 to 4:30	Concurrent Sessions

"Let’s Talk About Trust" Collaborative Learning Session

We increasingly hear the message that working with underserved communities requires trust. Do you find yourself wondering, what does trust mean? What does trust look like? How do we build trust, or better yet, work through distrust with partners? Join us for reflection and peer-to-peer sharing to build our collective knowledge of what trust with underserved communities truly looks like. If you have expertise to share or are just starting to think about this kind of work, we want you to be part of the conversation. We will explore existing resources on trust, discuss key concepts among peers, identify challenges, and brainstorm solutions.

Objectives of this session are to: (1) Define trust and its three key elements; (2) Reflect on your experience with building trust; (3) Share ideas for how to build and maintain trust in professional relationships; (4) Discuss special considerations for trust-building with underserved communities; (4) Identify challenges and strategies to build trust with underserved communities. Participants will have the option of a follow-up virtual discussion.

Space is limited.

"Connected to the Creek" Film Screening

Connected to the Creek is a documentary film that ties together local history and connections to the Murrells Inlet estuary. The Murrells Inlet estuary is the heart of the local community and has shaped many lives and culture. The film captures a wide variety of historical accounts and current perspectives that bind the community today with the uncertainties of the future. Please join us for a screening of this film followed by a panel discussion with the stars of the film.

Waccamaw River Cruise

Come join Cara Schildtknecht, Waccamaw Riverkeeper with Winyah Rivers Alliance, for a pontoon cruise on the calm black waters of the Waccamaw River. Winyah Rivers Alliance believes everyone has the right to fishable, swimmable, and drinkable water. You’ll hear how Cara’s efforts of education, advocacy, and monitoring fulfill this mission along the Waccamaw River. You might even catch glimpses of exciting wildlife along the banks of the river. If you’re interested in learning more about how to connect science and research to environmental stewardship along the river, then this is the cruise for you!

You’ll also get the chance to hear from representatives of Coastal Carolina University’s Environmental Quality Lab Director, Danielle Viso, and Waccamaw Watershed Academy Program Manager, Victoria Green, and Volunteer Monitoring Coordinator, Courtnie Caruso, as they explain how their various monitoring programs respond to local water quality concerns and help local municipalities achieve stormwater discharge requirements under the Clean Water Act. If you are interested in water quality monitoring, harmful algal blooms, or community science then you will want to learn from this amazing group!

Space is limited.

Inclusive Communication and Collaborative Science Panels

Community demographics in S.C. are changing; for example, S.C.’s Hispanic population is considered to be growing at a faster rate than any state in the nation. Environmental researchers, educators, and decision-makers need to build skills in cross-cultural and multi-generational engagement and collaborative decision-making and power-sharing.

Panelists will share the work they are doing to enhance equity and inclusion through communications and engagement programs. Additionally, S.C. Sea Grant staff and students will provide an interactive training on Collaborative Science and Accessible Communication. Don’t miss this opportunity to build your skill in effective and inclusive engagement and enhance your research impact.

5:00 to 6:30

Poster Presentations
Lib Jackson Student Union

Day 2 (Thursday, May 16)

8:45 to 9:30	Registration and Light Breakfast *Allen Ballroom, Singleton Building*
9:15	Welcome and Announcements
9:30 to 12:00	Concurrent Sessions
12:00 to 12:30	Lunch (provided) Announcement of Student Poster Awards
12:30 to 1:30	Keynote presentation: Pamela Martin, Professor and Executive Director of the RISE Center “Beyond the Silos: Building Connections through Ecosystems, Communities, and Organizations”
1:30 to 1:45	Break
1:45 to 2:45	Research presentations: *Connecting Across Techniques* Aaron M. Watson, S.C. Department of Natural Resources. Evaluation of craft brewery spent grains as a potential feed ingredient for red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus Lengxob ‘Lenny’ Yong, S.C. Department of Natural Resources. Developing a Sex-Linked DNA Marker For Cobia (Rachycentron Canadum) Using Next Generation Sequencing Technology for Use in Stock Enhancement, Aquaculture Efforts, and Stock Assessments Briar Ownby-Connolly, College of Charleston. Analyzing Flaws in the Use of Stormwater Modeling: Stormwater Management Implications for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Joshua Robinson, Robinson Design Engineers. Rethinking Stormwater Ponds: Nature-Based Solutions Using the Pond Shoreline Assessment Tool (PSAT)
2:45 to 3:25	Lightning Talks: *Connecting Across the Future* Scott Curtis, The Citadel. Climate Action Engagement Academy for Minority and Women Owned Small Businesses: Fostering Economic Empowerment in the Midst of the Evolving Environment Howard Schnabolk, NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center. Funding Opportunities from the NOAA Fisheries Program Jessica Kinsella, S.C. Department of Natural Resources. Navigating Coastal Conservation Careers Till J.J. Hanebuth, Coastal Carolina University. Rising Water tables and increasing river flooding changing the transport pattern and fate of PFAS in the lower Winyah Watershed (WinyahFlu)
3:25	Concluding Remarks