The South Carolina Maritime Museum’s new exhibit, THE HISTORY OF FISHING, opens April 1.

It includes early photographs of offshore fishing, Winyah Bay fishing, surf fishing, river fishing, shrimping, crabbing and oystering, along with artifacts from some of the old timer charter boat captains and commercial fishermen of Georgetown and Murrells Inlet.

From Georgetown's earliest days, abundant fish and shellfish in Winyah Bay and surrounding waters have been sources of pleasure, food and income for thousands of locals and visitors.

Commercial shrimping in Georgetown has provided tasty shrimp for almost one hundred years. Over time, an increasing number of shrimp boats, some built in Georgetown, trawled in the ocean off of Georgetown County and brought their catches back to packing houses in town, such as Cathou's Fish House. Recently, however, the number of boats has decreased for many reasons including competition from farmed shrimp from the Far East.

The History of Fishing exhibit will be ongoing through October 1 and is planned to provide an additional attraction for visitors attending the Bassmaster Elite Series/ Winyah Bay Heritage Festival (April 7-10) and the Georgetown Blue Marlin Tournament (May 25-28).

The South Carolina Maritime Museum is open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. every day except Sunday. Admission is free, donations are accepted and SCMM membership is encouraged. Photography is allowed.