Aquaculture

Early South Carolinians were dependent on streams, rivers, and marshes for their survival. Hunting, oyster harvesting, clamming, and fishing were vital activities as small communities developed throughout the state. While enjoyed as a leisure activity by many today, hunting and fishing were ways to supplement a diet heavy on starches, vegetables, and domestic livestock. The success of these early endeavors depended on a combination of skill and the availability of proper equipment. Now appreciated for their artistic value, many traditional forms of folk art were used for very practical purposes. Split-oak fish trap baskets, hand-woven cast nets, wooden swamp boats, and elaborately decorated duck decoys all combine function with aesthetic sensibility.

Content is provided by McKissick Museum, University of South Carolina.