CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) -- There was another decline last year in the number of days swimming advisories were issued for South Carolina's ocean beaches.
That's according to a report released Wednesday by the nonprofit Natural Resources Defense Council.
The report evaluated Department of Health and Environmental Control advisories for 63 beaches - the heart of South Carolina's $16 billion tourism industry.
Last year 18 advisories were issued, some for more than a day, covering 36 days. That number was 108 days in 2007 and 684 in 2006.
The report says dry weather meant less bacterial runoff that would close the beaches. In some areas, signs have been installed warning swimmers not to swim after rain, so advisories are no longer issued in those areas.
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