For us here at Toadfish, the first day of March is an exhilarating day. And not just because of the tailing Redfish, 80-degree days, and more backyard Lowcountry boils that are in our near future, but because March 1st marks the beginning of MARSH MADNESS: the time of the year when we, here at Toadfish, get to celebrate the ecosystems we love and vocalize how incredibly appreciative we are of those who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding them. 

Toadfish is a brand built on conservation, sustainability, and responsible practices. Our motto, “Put ‘Em Back,” emphasizes the importance of both enjoying and preserving wildlife. It urges us to appreciate the positive emotions that interactions with nature can offer us, while prioritizing the safe return of these residents of our ecosystems back to their natural habitats. On the front lines of these conservation, preservation, and sustainability efforts are 501c3 organizations like Captains for Clean Water, each state’s wildlife/conservation agencies (SCDNR in South Carolina), public benefit organizations like 4Ocean that strive to raise awareness for marine plastic pollution, and many other entities. Toadfish falls right in line with these organizations, striving to replant oyster beds across the world, creating healthier ecosystems and happier inhabitants. 

During Week 1 of Marsh Madness, we will dive into the importance of adhering to your state’s rules and regulations when it comes to harvesting fish, crustaceans, bivalves, and more. We will talk about what is legally, and ethically, okay to keep in accordance with the comprehensive Saltwater Fish Ruler that SCDNR kindly provides to South Carolinian saltwater anglers. We will also be partnering with our friends over at Captains for Clean Water to discuss the indispensable work they are doing to ensure optimal water quality along southeastern coastlines. 

During Week 2 of Marsh Madness, our focus will shift from the inhabitants of our beloved Lowcountry ecosystem to the very makeup of it: the Marshes of the Lowcountry. We will discuss the importance of all aspects of the marsh, from the vast expanses of Smooth Cordgrass that protect our coastlines to the quick-sand-like, smelly Pluff Mud that it grows out of. We’ll talk about the benefits of the marsh - what does it even do anyway? We’ll then talk about the hundreds of species that rely on the marsh as not only a breeding ground but also a safe place for their young to develop until they become self-sufficient.

During Week 3 of Marsh Madness, we will discuss our oceans and, our most frequented coastal resource, beaches. We will talk about both respectful beach practices and also things to look out for when on the beach. For us South Carolinians, an example of this might be resident Loggerhead Turtle Nesting areas! We will dive into the ocean plastics crisis wherein there are now more than 170 trillion microplastics in our world’s oceans. Furthermore, we will talk about how the ocean plastics crisis is a “collective action problem,” and that the daily choices we make, such as choosing reusable products over single-use/disposable ones, have a serious impact on the well-being of our oceans and beyond. Our choices dictate whether our collective impact is a positive or negative one: it is, truly, up to us.

Finally, During Week 4 of Marsh Madness , we will get to talk about our favorite coastal organism… oysters! We will talk about why we, here at Toadfish, adore oysters, and why we think... well, actually, know that oysters are the most important piece of any ecosystem they are a part of! We will talk about what it means to be a “Keystone Species,” the importance of not “chucking after shucking” (AKA Don’t Chuck Your Shucks!), how oysters are the most sustainable protein in the world, and so much more! I mean, come on, don’t oysters get you excited?! Just me?? Oh… Moving on!