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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Our Sea Grant Charge: Improving Science, Education and Collaboration

Holiday 2015

Marine algae in a reef

Feb 17, 2016

ALGAE PATROL: Documenting a Changing Community

When Wilson Freshwater began finding new tropical seaweeds off the coast of North Carolina, he had questions. What is their abundance? What might accompany them? What else does this mean for North Carolina’s coastal waters?
lionfish

Dec 15, 2015

LOCAL CATCH: Trapping and Tasting an Invader

They collaborated on a pilot study to test traps to capture lionfish and conduct a consumer taste testing for the fish. The traps were designed to maximize capture of the invasive species, not of other marine animals in the area.
Organobait bait alternative

Dec 15, 2015

FISHING FOR FUNDING

Since receiving support from North Carolina Sea Grant for a pilot study to test Organobait™, KBI has leveraged $168,750 in grants from the National Science Foundation and matching grants from the N.C. Department of Commerce’s One North Carolina Fund.
Lundie Spence with jellyfish

Dec 15, 2015

Jellyfish in Bloom: Are Humans Contributing to Local Populations?

Nina Sassano used to be a research technician at the Barnegat Bay Partnership in New Jersey. Her tasks included monitoring barrier nets designed to keep jellyfish out of certain parts of the bay.
Hyde County parcel

Dec 15, 2015

SMALL BUT MIGHTY: MINIGRANTS SUPPORT QUICK TURNAROUND, PILOT STUDIES

Minigrants are an important part of North Carolina Sea Grant’s funding portfolio. They are rapid-response, seed and starter grants, usually not more than $5,000. They are provided on a limited basis, as funding allows. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Ian Kroll in lab

Dec 15, 2015

SEA SCIENCE: DOES IT REALLY START AT HOME? How North Carolina Marine Habitats Influence Black Sea Bass Growth and Maturity

This is the second day of the Southeastern Fisheries Independent Survey marine research cruise aboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ship Pisces. Outside, the ship navigates the waters offshore North Carolina. Inside, I navigate my dark cabin and sneak out the door, trying not to disturb my roommate, who has only just returned from his midnight shift.
anglers at dogfish tournament

Dec 15, 2015

PEOPLE AND PLACES: Dog(fish) Days of Winter

What fishing tournament on the North Carolina coast targets an oddly named shark, gives the winner a bobblehead and frequently suffers through miserable weather? It’s the annual Johnnie Mercer’s Pier Dogfish Tournament at Wrightsville Beach, a North Carolina saltwater fishing tournament scheduled in January.
collaborative community resesarch

Dec 15, 2015

CURRENTS: Encouraging Collaborative Community Research

“We are seeking proposals that focus on creative problem solving,” explains Susan White, Sea Grant executive director. “The new projects will bring together local knowledge and intuition within coastal communities and the academic rigor of university researchers. Recommendations based on results of such strong field-testing ultimately are more likely to be incorporated into resource management decisions and local business practices.”
wetlands

Dec 15, 2015

LEGAL TIDES: Education, Outreach Needed for Wildlife Plan Success

Protecting the biodiversity of an ecosystem increases its resilience and productivity, as well as expands the services and benefits it provides. Wildlife and their habitats supply us with medicines, food and other resources. These spaces also offer recreation and tourism opportunities. Wildlife habitat also provides us with advantages, such as filtering and cleaning water.
image: Susan White.

Nov 24, 2015

FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Our Sea Grant Charge: Improving Science, Education and Collaboration

Our Sea Grant focus on science literacy starts within the state’s K-12 classrooms. That includes our marine education efforts, providing critical concepts and skills not only for teachers, but also for educators in aquariums, museums and nature centers. Terri Kirby Hathaway, Sea Grant marine education specialist, leads the work.