This October, UGA Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant will celebrate National Seafood Month by hosting a series of events along the Georgia coast that highlight the connections between healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries, and the seafood we eat.
“Seafood Month is a chance to celebrate not only the incredible bounty of Georgia’s coast, but also the ecosystems and people who make fresh, local seafood possible,” said Shannon Matzke, public program coordinator at Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. “Through these events, we hope to inspire a deeper appreciation for the role seafood plays in our environment, our economy, and our communities.”
The month-long celebration features boat excursions, cooking demos, restaurant collaborations and more.
Event Highlights:
- Sorry Charlie’s Oyster Fundraiser | Oct. 1–31
All month long, 5% of every Bull River oyster order at Sorry Charlie’s Oyster Bar in Savannah will benefit the UGA Shellfish Research Lab where researchers cultivate high-quality oysters, train new farmers, and study aquaculture practices that strengthen Georgia’s coastal economy and environment. The fundraiser kicks off Oct. 1 with an evening event featuring Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant staff. - Sea Dawg Trawl | Oct. 7 | $20
Board the R/V Sea Dawg for a guided trawl in Wassaw Sound. Participants will sort and identify species while learning how healthy habitats and water quality sustain the marine food web and seafood we depend on. - Crabbing 101 | Oct. 18 | $25
This family-friendly program at the UGA Aquarium introduces participants to Georgia’s fascinating crab species before heading outdoors for a hands-on crabbing lesson from the dock. - Taste of the Coast | Oct. 20 | $45
Explore Georgia’s commercial seafood industry, get hands-on experience preparing shrimp and blue crabs, and enjoy a cooking demo and tasting led by Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant Chef Earl Jones and Fisheries Specialist Bryan Fluech. - Curated Catch: Stories of the Sea Wine Dinner | Oct. 29 | $180
In partnership with Savannah’s Common Thread, this intimate four-course dinner will feature local seafood, wine pairings, and conversations with seafood specialist Erin Arneson and Georgia shrimper Mike Sullivan. For every ticket sold, $25 will support the UGA Shellfish Research Lab. Common Thread will generously match the total raised, doubling the impact.
Additional programs and partner events will take place throughout the month of October, including oyster art workshops and boat tours of oyster farms. A full schedule with registration links and additional details is available at: https://gacoast.uga.edu/events/category/seafood-month/
Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant’s Seafood Month celebration is made possible through partnerships with coastal businesses, educators, and community organizations dedicated to connecting people with Georgia’s coast.
Writer: Emily Kenworthy, ekenworthy@uga.edu
Contact: Shannon Matzke, Shannon.Matzke@uga.edu
