Tag Archives: Georgia Seafood

Amazing Grace, Darien River

This is an outttake from the 2012 Blessing of the Fleet. I believe this boat was the Amazing Grace, which was lost not long after the festival.

Shrimp Boats, Darien

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Lady Vanessa

Tal & Al

Shrimp Boats on the Darien River

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Shrimp Boats, Darien

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Bringing in Oysters, Darien

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Two men working on boats at a marina, with a fishing boat named 'Miss Jackie' docked nearby and a bridge in the background.

Scenes like this are common along the coast, but the independent fisherman is a dying breed. Environmental changes and farm-raised shellfish from Asia are the biggest threat.

Local Seafood, McIntosh County

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I cannot emphasize enough the importance of eating local seafood when visiting the Georgia coast. I bought this fried shrimp and side of fries at a food truck operated by a local fisherman. Whatever you do, don’t go to a chain seafood restaurant while you’re on the coast. There are scores of small local seafood joints that residents will gladly direct you to and the price is usually lower and the quantity and quality far superior.

Cedar Point Fishing Pier, McIntosh County

Bowie Seafood, Tybee Island

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Exterior view of a colorful seafood shop named 'Bowie Seafood' with a blue mural featuring marine life, including crabs and turtles, and signs for 'Nautical Gifts' and 'Bowie Seafood'.

Bowie Seafood is a popular and longtime local favorite on the island, though the hours are often irregular. Tybee Islanders will tell you that Bowie’s has some of the freshest seafood in town.

Shrimp Boat Parade, Blessing of the Fleet, 2012, Darien

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A fleet of fishing boats anchored in a calm waterway, surrounded by greenery and under a cloudy sky.

This was the 44th Annual Blessing of the Fleet in Darien. It’s one of a few remaining on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts.

Participants await their turns in the shrimp boat parade, which is the highlight of the Blessing of the Fleet. From the eastern edge of Darien the boats parade toward the US Highway 17 bridge, receive their blessings, and return to the docks, all to the cheers of thousands of well-wishers. This tradition has grown into one of Georgia’s most popular festivals, including a weekend-long celebration featuring fine artists, musicians, vendors, and of course, the freshest wild Georgia seafood available.

I cannot overemphasize my support for the member fishermen of the Wild Georgia Shrimp Association. Most people don’t realize that most of the shrimp and other seafood they buy in grocery stores and markets these days is far from fresh, and originates far from Georgia. Chinese and farm-raised shrimp and fish have essentially taken over the U. S. market, but not only is their quality vastly inferior, its availability threatens the very way of life of the men, women and families who make their livings fishing in Georgia’s coastal waters.If you have the choice, only purchase shrimp branded with the “Wild Georgia Shrimp” logo or look for their decal on restaurant doors and menus. If an establishment doesn’t carry it, ask them why not. Though fresh seafood is always more readily available near the coast, the Wild Georgia Shrimp logo is starting to show up in more and more localities.