Port Royal Sound is a body of water located along the coast of South Carolina, USA. The sound has been an important fishing ground for centuries and has played a significant role in the history and economy of the surrounding region.
The Native American tribes who inhabited the area for thousands of years prior to the arrival of Europeans, including the Yemassee and the Cusabo, relied heavily on the abundant seafood resources of Port Royal Sound. They fished for a variety of species, including shrimp, oysters, clams, crabs, and various species of finfish.
In the late 16th and early 17th centuries, European explorers and settlers began to arrive in the area. They also recognized the importance of the sound's fishery and began to exploit its resources. Spanish explorers in particular were active in the region, as they sought to establish a foothold in the New World. They fished for the same species as the Native Americans, and also introduced new fishing techniques, such as seine nets.
During the 18th and 19th centuries, Port Royal Sound continued to be an important fishing ground. The introduction of the shrimp trawl in the late 19th century transformed the shrimp fishery in the sound and led to increased commercial activity. By the early 20th century, the sound's shrimp fishery was one of the largest in the country, and the town of Port Royal became known as the "shrimp capital of the world."
Today, Port Royal Sound remains an important fishing ground, although the commercial fishery has declined somewhat due to a combination of factors, including overfishing, habitat degradation, and changes in regulations. Nonetheless, the sound remains an important source of seafood for the region, and is also a popular destination for recreational fishermen and boaters.