Osborne, a shellfish aquaculture researcher, is opening new doors for North Carolina's coastal economy. He and business partner Nelson Bullock are trying to grow jewel-quality, saltwater black pearls in state waters.
"North Carolina Sea Grant provides an ability to respond to real-world coastal issues in ways that would not otherwise be possible," says Terri Lomax, North Carolina State University vice chancellor for research and graduate studies. "All of these newly selected research projects address critical needs in North Carolina."
After more than a decade and $8.3 million dollars, the restoration of Rocky Branch, an urban stream in Raleigh once listed among the most polluted in the state, is nearly complete.
The revised plan will cite program progress in particular types of habitats. It also will consider emerging issues, such as anticipated sea-level rise and its impacts, as well as detection of pharmaceutical waste in coastal waters.
Perry was one of the 190 participants of the 22nd North Carolina Aquaculture Development Conference, held in Atlantic Beach in January. Co-sponsored by North Carolina Sea Grant, the annual meeting and trade show serves industry professionals and prospective investors like Perry. Marine aquaculture was a special focus this year, and Perry joined some 50 others on a tour of Carteret County mariculture operations.
By KELLEY BRACKETT WORRIED ABOUT HOW THE KIDS WILL PASS THE TIME THIS SUMMER? ENCOURAGE THEM TO BE A LITTLE CRABBY. Like fishing, recreational crabbing is a traditional pastime for many along North Carolina's coast. Blue crabs are the typical targets, and the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher's Canoeing the Salt Marsh outdoor exploration program shows participants the ins and outs of crabbing.
At the ScienceOnline2010 conference in January, Internet-savvy writers and researchers were abuzz over RECTEXT (www.rectext.org), a North Carolina Sea Grant project that helps tournament fishermen report their catch data using cell phone text messaging.
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