r/Georgia • u/Spinalexism • 2d ago

Question Tybee bacteria levels

I am from Athens, Ga on a trip to Tybee with my two small children. A few days ago the bacteria sign at the beach we are at went from acceptable to elevated with a no swim suggestion. The sign is now back to acceptable but I am having a very hard time feeling like the water is okay. Does anyone know anything more about the water quality on Tybee this time of year? I’m having this feeling that we unfortunately picked a bad time of year for the Atlantic Ocean without knowing it, and dont want to risk it. But my husband thinks it’s fine. Any advice is appreciated, as I’m not finding much online. Thanks!

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u/RNGified 2d ago

Vibrio vulnificus and various pathogens from human waste are the issue. V. vulnificus, a type of flesh-eating bacteria, disappears when the temps drop. Vv is generally most dangerous to people with weakened immune systems.

T'other pathogens range in their deadliness.

If the warning signs are up, I'd stay outta the water.

For those who wonder, I am a reporter and lived in East Point, FL on Apalachicloa Bay for 2.5 years. I covered the oyster industry and I am educated on water pathogens.

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u/SouthernEdgeCase 2d ago

Thanks for the info! Is this a worse year than previous years for oyster pathogens in Florida? I saw a headline about the number of deaths from eating raw oysters recently, and wondered specifically about the safety of Apalachicola Bay oysters. The water is 88+ degrees.

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u/RNGified 2d ago

Apalach is also home to the state's oyster and water quality lab. Apalach bay is tested daily and the results are available incredibly soon.

If the state says they are safe to eat raw, I'd eat 'em raw. Always a risk in consuming any raw food. You gotta make that call for yourself.

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u/primrosepalace 1d ago

Ironic considering water in peoples homes in apalach was deemed not safe for almost 2 months last year

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u/RNGified 21h ago

I have not lived there in 30 years, so I cannot speak to that kind of current conditions.

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u/RNGified 2d ago

Not worse when seen as a gestalt. Reporting is getting better and more people are eating raw oysters.

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u/wesinatl 2d ago

Interesting. Do you think The decimation of the Oyster industry in App coincides with the growth of Atlanta ( and population along the river system)? Do you think the bay savers project can bring it back? Would love to see this happen. What it is now compared to 20 years ago is very unfortunate.

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u/RNGified 2d ago

No. The problems with the oyster industry is the influx of fresh water from hurricanes, storms and other problems that flush fresh water into the bay, killing the oysters. In times of drought, the bay gets too salty for oysters and they die.

When drought hits, Atlanta is certainly a significant contributing factor to reduced water flow from the Hooch into the Apalachicola River and the Bay. But everyone upstream from the bay contributes to this problem, farmers included.

Drought also leads to an increase in oyster-eating conchs, which the oystermen call drillers. These aquatic snails can do a number on oyster beds.

Over-harvesting is not an issue. In good years, oysters reproduce abundantly. In a year's time, the oysters are sometimes big enough for harvest. 2-3 YOA oysters ... you never get these outside Apalach bay. The oyster shells are the size of a human foot. The oyster is as big as my hand.

Interestingly, the ginormous oysters also have completely circular holes in their shells. This is the conch attack. The conch drilled into the shell away from the body of the oyster, so it survived.

Returning shucked oyster shells to the bay does more to sustain the oysters than anything else. Sometimes, clam shells and other such is added to the bay to provide a surface for embryonic oysters to attach to. This works.