Will our seafood continue to thrive?

Along with the price of fuel and competition from cheap, possibly polluted imports, our seafood economy also faces the threat — perceived and real — of water pollution.

Dana Beach of the Coastal Conservation League notes, “At a time of unprecedented interest in local foods, and especially those that reflect the history and character of the region, it is particularly important that we protect the habitats of local crabs, shrimp and oysters from known threats like the discharge of sewage and ballast water from cruise ships.”

Owners and chefs of our most important downtown restaurants have spoken to us and written to us as well as the Post and Courier, urging that cruise ships be regulated and located outside of the fragile historic district.

Why is Charleston not savvy enough to manage the concerns with regulating cruise ships? Many citizens are concerned due to the perception and reality of pollution and the potential spills. Other communities have regulations — Maine passed them to protect their lobster industry. Here in Charleston, the ambience of our historic district and the economy are at stake. The National Trust and the World Monuments Fund have both placed Charleston on a watch list. An international conference here in the fall will focus on cruise ship problems.

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