Spring 2010

Table of Contents

DREAMS OF BLACK PEARLS

Jewel-quality, saltwater black pearls from North Carolina? What sounds like mere fantasy may soon become shimmering reality. A childhood quest is fulfilled as two researchers working in Wilmington waters seed a new industry for North Carolina’s coastal communities.

NEW CORE RESEARCH: Coastal Science Serving North Carolina

Eleven new North Carolina Sea Grant research projects are starting up, thanks to funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and matching state dollars. Take a glimpse at the topics and approaches.

ROCKY BRANCH REVIVAL

After 10 years and several million dollars, the Rocky Branch Stream Restoration and Greenway project in Raleigh is nearly complete. See how project leaders exposed more than 200 feet of stream from underground and re-engineered eroding stream banks to create a healthy ecosystem with educational and recreational benefits.

COASTAL HABITAT PROTECTION PLAN: Preserving Critical Ecosystems

This year the state is updating its groundbreaking plan focusing on ecosystem-based management of coastal resources. Learn how past and current research projects are providing crucial data for policy makers.

SEA SCIENCE:
Harvests of Perseverance: Sea Grant-Funded
Innovations Showcased at State Aquaculture Conference

We’re not just catfish and clams. Find out how many dazzling fish and shellfish species are being farmed in our state in this field report from the recent North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference in Atlantic Beach.

NATURALISTS NOTEBOOK:
How to Nab a Crab

Pack a lunch, grab a dip net, and don’t forget bait — it’s time to go crabbing! Join participants at the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s Canoeing the Salt Marsh outdoor exploration program as they test out traditional methods for recreational crabbing.

TIDINGS:
Bloggers Hooked on Angler Text Messaging Tool

At the ScienceOnline2010 conference in January, Internet-savvy researchers were abuzz over RECTEXT, a North Carolina Sea Grant project that helps tournament fishermen report their catch data using cell phone text messaging.