Microplastics are everywhere. “It’s in our water, it’s in the ocean, it’s in the animals, in the air, even in space,” Ana Zivanovic-Nenadovic, North Carolina Coastal Federation assistant director of policy, said recently during a virtual forum on microplastics. Since the mass production of plastics began in the mid-20th century, plastic has permeated our lives, she […]
Island Features | Full Article
While a dip in the ocean is one of the many joys of summer, beachgoers should be cautious of dangerous rip currents, which cause more than 100 deaths in the U.S. each year and 80% of lifeguard rescues, according to the U.S. Lifesaving Association. Rip currents are the No. 1 public safety risk at the beach […]
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North Carolina sounds are losing seagrass, an indicator of the state’s water quality. According to a recently published metric report by Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership, or APNEP, there’s been a net loss of at least 5% between 2006 and 2013 of the high-salinity submerged aquatic vegetation, or SAV, habitat in the Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system, which is the second-largest […]
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The North Carolina King Tides Project organizers are asking the public for photos of king tides — the highest high and lowest low tides of the year – but they also welcome any photos of flooding or high water on the coast. The King Tides Project is an international citizen-science project to document extreme tides […]
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The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved during its regular meeting last week a $1 million grant from the state to help assuage the financial strain caused by last year’s Hurricane Dorian. Like many counties and local and tribal governments, Dare County has been facing budget impacts caused by hurricane damage and applied for the […]
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Learn how oysters, which are woven in the culture and history of the state, help the environment and boost the economy during North Carolina Oyster Week. The virtual “Oyster Shellabration” began Monday and wraps up Friday. An aspect of oysters will be highlighted each day on social media. Watch for and share posts with the […]
Fishing | Full Article
The Crystal Coast Stargazers Club members and Cape Lookout National Seashore rangers are working together to preserve the night sky by having the seashore certified as an International Dark Sky Park. A group of astronomy and space enthusiasts in eastern North Carolina that organize and participate in stargazing activities, the Crystal Coast Startgazers Club approached the seashore about applying for […]
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Commercial and recreational fishers have been dealing for decades with the unpredictability of Oregon Inlet navigation but with the recent go-ahead by Dare County for its private partner to move on a contract to build a new hopper dredge, there may be an end in sight. Legislation passed in 2017 to provide Dare County with […]
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A recent feasibility study on North Carolina’s shellfish mariculture industry recommends building three regional business incubators in Onslow, Carteret and Hyde counties to serve as hubs for startup shellfish growers and kick-start growth. Shellfish mariculture is the commercial farming of bivalve shellfish such as oysters, clams and mussels. With investment, there is potential to grow […]
Fishing | Full Article
A new law gives the state Wildlife Resources Commission authority and funding to remove abandoned and derelict vessels from public waters and state lands. House bill 308, which Gov. Roy Cooper signed Wednesday, designates $1 million for the commission “to inspect, investigate, and remove abandoned and derelict vessels.” The measure also allows the commission to use […]
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