Maybe it’s because of the weather. Maybe it’s the moon phases and high tides. Whatever the reason, here’s what people have been reading the most over the last year — and over the last couple of decades.

Over the Last Year

 1. A Brief History of Sea Level Rise in North Carolina

from Winter 2019
A Brief History of Sea Level Rise in North Carolina:
Our Moving Coastline

2. The Greatest Show on the East Coast: New Journeys into the Heart of North Carolina’s Darkness

from Spring 2020
The Greatest Show on the East Coast:
North Carolina’s Nightscapes
Solar farms, such as this one in Greene County, are part of a growing energy industry cluster in the rural coastal region. Photo by Jane Harrison. 3. Rural Economic Development in the Coastal Regions

from Winter 2019
A Brief History of Sea Level Rise in North Carolina:
Our Moving Coastline
Spawning female horseshoe crabs usually come ashore with a male attached. Photo by Chris Engel

4. Blood Draw at the Horseshoe Corral

from Autumn 2020
The Horseshoe Crab Connection:
An Ancient Sea Creature and a Safe COVID-19 Vaccine

5. The Story of Ricky Moore: The “Best Chef in the Triangle” Talks Carolina Cooking

from Winter 2019
A Brief History of Sea Level Rise in North Carolina:
Our Moving Coastline

 

6. Capturing the Culprit: Carbon Sequestration and the Battle Against Climate Change

from Spring 2020
The Greatest Show on the East Coast:
North Carolina’s Nightscapes

 

7. An Underwater Soundscape Is Worth a Thousand Pictures: The Surprising Implications of Eavesdropping on Fish

from Spring 2020
The Greatest Show on the East Coast:
North Carolina’s Nightscapes

8. You Say Starfish, I Say Sea Star

from Winter 2019
A Brief History of Sea Level Rise in North Carolina:
Our Moving Coastline

 

9. The Ghost Hunters

from Winter 2019
A Brief History of Sea Level Rise in North Carolina:
Our Moving Coastline

10. Science Needs You:
Monitoring and Assessing Water Quality Across the Neuse River Estuary-Pamlico Sound Continuum

from Autumn 2020
The Horseshoe Crab Connection
An Ancient Sea Creature and a Safe COVID-19 Vaccine
In 1999, Hurricane Floyd caused flooding in many areas of southeast Kinston near the Adkin Branch of the Neuse River. 11. The Road to Resilience

from Summer 2020
A Sumptuous Summer:
Fresh Seafood and How to Make It Last
12. Research Explores Implications of Antibiotic Pollution

from Winter 2019
A Brief History of Sea Level Rise in North Carolina:
Our Moving Coastline
13. Inside the Greenhouse
NC’s Hottest Year on Record.

from Summer 2020
A Sumptuous Summer:
Fresh Seafood and How to Make It Last
14. Is Climate Change Affecting Sea Turtle Hatchlings?

from Autumn 2020
The Horseshoe Crab Connection
An Ancient Sea Creature and a Safe COVID-19 Vaccine
15. How to Freeze Your Fresh North Carolina Seafood

from Summer 2020
A Sumptuous Summer:
Fresh Seafood and How to Make It Last
16. What’s in YOUR Water?

from Summer 2020
A Sumptuous Summer:
Fresh Seafood and How to Make It Last
Butterfly weed attracts insect pollinators. By Martin LeBac. 17. Coastal Landscaping:
The Next Blue Economy Sector.

from Spring 2020
The Greatest Show on the East Coast:
North Carolina’s Nightscapes
18. Mariner’s Menu: Fall Favorites
 

from Autumn 2020
The Horseshoe Crab Connection
An Ancient Sea Creature and a Safe COVID-19 Vaccine
19. More Than Sand Dollars
 

from Autumn 2020
The Horseshoe Crab Connection
An Ancient Sea Creature and a Safe COVID-19 Vaccine
20. If COVID-19 and a Major Hurricane Collide

from Autumn 2020
The Horseshoe Crab Connection
An Ancient Sea Creature and a Safe COVID-19 Vaccine

All-Time

Sand tiger shark in an aquarium.

1. Sharks of North Carolina,

from Spring 2014
Coastal Reflections:
Past, Present and Future

2. There’s More Than One Way to Catch a Shrimp,

from Winter 2006
Aquaculture:
Water Woes
A boat cruises at sunset.

3. Save Fuel, Money: Running Your Boat by the Numbers

from Summer 2013
Amazing Places:
Via Book, Trail, Byway
A jellyfish on the sand.

4. The Rise of the Jellies

from Holiday 2010
Ship Salvage:
Hidden History’s Elusive Value

Kayaks back from a trip on the Pamlico Sound.

5. The Pamlico Sound: Fishing Gem of North Carolina

from Summer 2012
Exploring the North Carolina Coast
Sea bean pod and seeds.

6. Knowing Beans About the Beach

from High Season 2003
Storytelling:
Holding Fast to the Past

shrimp boats at Southport waterfront after Hazel

7. Fast and Furious

from Autumn 2014
Hurricane Hazel:
Oct. 15, 1954
Elizabethan-era clothing hook.

8. The Science of Shipwrecks

from Winter 2013
Research, Recreation and Repast:
Treasuring Gifts of the Sea
Shrimp trawler on trailer.

9. Traditional Working Boats of the Outer Banks

from Winter 2013
Research, Recreation and Repast:
Treasuring Gifts of the Sea
Jim Bahen handles fish

10. The Red Drum:
First in Fish for NC Recreational Anglers

from High Season 2000
Ocracoke Odyssey 
sea butterfly

11. An Invasion of Naked Sea Butterflies

from Autumn 2016
Focus on Fran + 20:
Improving North Carolina’s Resilience
North Carolina seafood

12. Supply and Demand In North Carolina’s Seafood Industry

from Holiday 2014
To Market, To Market To Buy a Fresh Fish

13. Moving Through the Marsh

from Winter 2015
Nurturing Nature:
Oyster Restoration

14. Finding Fish in Lots of Water

from Winter 2008
Finding Fish 

 

15. Fall Prime Fishing Season in North Carolina

from Autumn 2000
Pier Enjoyment 

16. African American History in Coastal Carolina

from Spring 2015
Springtime Synergies
Neal pictured in front of the Frying Pan Tower.

17. Diamond Shoals and Frying Pan: Offshore Light Towers Beckon New Missions

from Winter 2013
Research, Recreation and Repast
Treasuring Gifts of the Sea
Fiery red in the fall, glasswort adds a salty crunch to salads.

18. Coastal Wild Edibles: Stalking the Wild Sea Lettuce

from Summer 2011
Supper Surprises:
Unusual Ingredients, Interesting Meals
Dock overlooking the Bay River.

19. New Oyster Aquaculture Operations Grow Seed, Take Root

from Winter 2014
Oysters:
Economy, Environment and Tradition
Gloved hand shucks oyster.

20. Bring Your Own Knives: Shucking at the Varnamtown Oyster Roast,

from Winter 2014
Oysters:
Economy, Environment and Tradition