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LOCAL CATCH: Hunting Lions

Recreational Fishing and Other Fun

Our state ranks first among Atlantic states for the number of people who fish recreationally in saltwater off the East Coast. We’ve gathered our favorite articles on fishing below, and you also can read about boating, beach combing, crabbing, and other fun.

fish with barotrauma

Nov 24, 2015

IMPROVING SURVIVAL: NEW GEAR MAY HELP CATCH-AND-RELEASE FISH

The research team — experts from North Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey Sea Grant programs — wanted to test several experimental devices that could help reef fishes return to deep waters when they are released.
Miss Hatteras

Nov 24, 2015

BUILDING PARTNERSHIPS FOR SUCCESS

With that in mind, fisheries experts from not just two, but three Sea Grant programs — North Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey — collaborated to design a solution to safely release fishes that experience barotrauma.
southern flounder

Sep 2, 2015

THE POWER OF OBSERVATION

Southern flounder, the species that Bruno and Coble seek, is the most economically important estuarine finfish in the state, according to data from the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries, or DMF. In 2014, nearly 1.7 million pounds of the fish were landed in the commercial fishery, with a dockside value exceeding 4.8 million.
fellowship progams

Sep 2, 2015

CURRENTS: IN THEIR OWN WORDS: Sea Grant Fellows Share Research Snapshots

North Carolina Sea Grant supports many graduate students through fellowships that cover a wide range of research interests. The programs are committed to supporting the state’s future scientists and leaders.
Horses cross the shallow waters of the Rachel Carson Reserve

Jun 1, 2015

MUSIC IN THE MARSH: The Summer Soundscapes of the Rachel Carson Reserve

Close your eyes and imagine you are standing on the corner of a busy city street. What do you hear? The crossing sign beeping, cars buzzing by, groups of people talking — all of these sounds make up the city’s soundscape.
Off-the-shelf side-scan sonar can monitor daily abundance of spawning Atlantic sturgeon in shallow river systems. Photo courtesy of NOAA.

Mar 1, 2015

A Sturgeon Primer

  Chuck Weirich is North Carolina Sea Grant’s marine aquaculture specialist. He has a background in culturing finfish, including Russian sturgeon. Sturgeon are among the oldest living species of fish.…
blue stormy ocean waves with white foam

Apr 28, 2014

The Pamlico Sound: Fishing Gem of North Carolina

Habitat — it's a word you'll see often in the North Carolina Coastal Habitat Protection Plan. What does the blue crab have to do with the six major habitats defined by the plan?
blue stormy ocean waves with white foam

Apr 7, 2014

Local Catch: Traditional Working Boats of the Outer Banks

The waters of the state are as diverse as the skiffs and boats that use them. Often, boats are specific to their intended catch, with adaptations to produce a higher-quality product.
image: boating.

Apr 7, 2014

ON THE WATER: Save Fuel, Money: Running Your Boat by the Numbers

Summer is almost here, and many boats are hitting North Carolina's waters. However, due to our current economic conditions we are continuing to see the prices of fuel rise. Here are some simple calculations to help boaters plan for efficient gas usage...
lionfish

Sep 1, 2013

LOCAL CATCH: Hunting Lions

In early June, the "If You Can't Beat 'Em, Eat 'Em" lionfish/lobster spearfishing tournament took place in Carteret County.