Dave Shaw

Mar 27, 2023

Science and Social Media: Twitter and Red Tides

Red Tides occur when there is an overgrowth of Algae in coastal waters that depletes oxygen levels and releases toxins, which can be harmful to human health and sea life.

Mar 27, 2023

How Much Ocean Floor Off the Southeast Coast Do Natural Reefs Occupy? 

Natural Reefs – often referred to more inclusively as “hard bottom” – are important habitat for Finfish, invertebrates, and other environmentally and economically important fauna. In fact, hard bottom is one of six types of habitat worthy of protection under the NC Coastal Habitat Protection Plan.

Mar 27, 2023

Cultivating Coastal Waters: North Carolina’s ShellCast App Goes Regional

A digital tool for North Carolina's Shellfish growers soon will forecast last-minute lease closures in Florida and South Carolina, too.

Mar 27, 2023

Safety Alert: Danger in the Air

Danger is in the air – and you can’t see or smell it. Many boaters already are aware of the importance of life jackets in avoiding tragedy, as well as how even small amounts of alcohol contribute to accidents on the water. But there’s also an invisible danger that can turn a boat outing deadly.

Mar 27, 2023

Rip Currents Safety

Share the poster — or print it out and put it up — and save a life.

Mar 26, 2023

News in Archeology: Neanderthals Cooked and Ate Crabs 90,000 Years Ago

Even cave dwellers loved seafood. Gruta De Figueira Brava, just south of Lisbon, contains rich deposits of shells and bones with much to tell us about the Neanderthals that lived there – especially about their meals.

Mar 25, 2023

Emerging Contaminants: Why Do These Alligators Have Infections? 

A recent study of alligators in the Cape Fear River found they had elevated levels of 14 different per-and plyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) chemicals in their blood serum, as well as clinical and genetic indicators of immune system effects.

Mar 22, 2023

3D Research: Who Wants to Look at a Dead Whale?

Marine Mammals travel long distances and sometimes can become stranded or die in locations that are difficult to reach. Drones and 3D photography pique curiosity about large marine animals that have died in remote areas.

Mar 21, 2023

Vital Signs: The Hottest Ocean in Recorded History

Covering more than 70% of the earth, our global ocean has a very high heat capacity, and the top few meters of the ocean store as much heat as earth’s entire atmosphere. Ninety percent of global warming is occurring in the ocean...

Mar 21, 2023

Plant This Instead!

Deciding which plants to use for a foundation, privacy hedge, groundcover, or other landscaping project can be a challenge. Often, we use what we see growing in our region...