Pre-Conference Event:
Waddell Mariculture Center Tour
211 Sawmill Creek Rd. ● Bluffton, SC 29910
Wednesday, June 21, 2023 ● 1:30-3:00pm

During this behind-the-scenes tour, Waddell Mariculture Center biologist and manager Erin Levesque will share the history of the Waddell Mariculture Center and will describe ongoing research initiatives. The tour will begin on the bluff of the Colleton River--the source of all of of the Center's saltwater--where participants will view the native plants garden. From there, participants will travel to the ponds where the Center produces cobia and red drum for release along the coast of SC. The Tour will end in the hatchery where participants can see adult cobia, tripletail and southern flounder as well as other species. Levesque will provide information on the Center's stock enhancement research program as well as other ongoing projects.

Closed-toed shoes are REQUIRED in the hatchery; sandals and flip flops will not be admitted. Sneakers or shoes with a slip-resistant rubber sole are recommended. Bring sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, and sunglasses, as much of the tour will be conducted out-of-doors. 

About the Tour Guide: Erin Levesque received a B. S. in Marine Science from Eckerd College (1996) and a M. S. in Marine Biology from the College of Charleston (2000) where she completed a thesis on the biology of diamondback terrapins. She has been a Marine Resources Division Biologist (SCDNR) since 2000, beginning with the Inshore Fisheries Research Section working on population dynamics of estuarine finfishes. Currently, Erin works for the Mariculture Research Section at the Waddell Mariculture Center.