Coastal Currents

News Briefs and Updates

A new coastal landscapes webinar series, the latest winners of the national Knauss Fellowships, the 2026 Sea Grant-APNEP winner,  remembering B.J. Copeland, and the return of the North Carolina Coastal Conference…

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The Food Network

Are Predators Following Blue Crabs?

Studying blue crabs and their surrounding aquatic environments can tell us about species higher in the food chain…

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Gauging Pamlico Sound’s Shrimp Population

Shrimpers, Scientists, and What They Tell Us

White shrimp have been on the rise, and a new North Carolina Sea Grant study shows that combining shrimpers’ local knowledge with traditional science leads to a clearer picture of why shrimp populations fluctuate…

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Touring the “Napa Valley of Oysters”

Day Trips and Weekend Excursions on the NC Oyster Trail

The NC Oyster Trail features more than 90 sites across the state, stretching from the beaches of Cape Hatteras to the mountains of Cashiers…

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At the Intersection of Culture, Training, and History

The South Atlantic Regional Commercial Fishing Academy and Apprenticeship Program

The diminishing number of commercial fishers threatens the resilience of the nation’s seafood industry — but apprenticeship programs offer a solution…

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The Disease Detective

Tracing the Spread of Parasites

Glory Kidimbu investigates the transmission of parasitic pathogens to waterways…

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Behind the Research

Repairing Jordan Lake’s Ecosystem with Zooplankton

A larger population of zooplankton could result in more fish, larger fish, and improved sport fishing…

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When Water Meets Rock

Water Quality Impacts from Lithium Mining

Researchers are investigating the residual effects of lithium mining — and shedding light on the potential impacts of future mining operations…

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Launching Careers

NC STEM Policy Fellows Fuel the Public and Private Spheres

Since the program began in 2020, talented North Carolina graduates have been serving in state offices, gaining valuable insights and experience that have prepared them for key roles in industry and government…

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Healthy Ecosystems

What Strategies Revive Public Oyster Grounds?

Rotating harvests and replenishing shells help oyster reefs recover…

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Conservation Update

Saving Cold-Stunned Sea Turtles

New research could help optimize sea turtle search and rescue…

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Hook, Line & Science

Interviews with Anglers, Cardio for Fish, and More

Half of the fish species in a new study are now inhabiting different areas of the East Coast…

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Across the Atlantic

Cold Water Meets Collective Will

Three southern African countries combine shared governance and regional cooperation to safeguard one of the world’s most productive marine ecosystems…

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Sea Science

Where Oceans Connect

The Panama Canal joins the Pacific and Atlantic, making it a critical route for global maritime trade — but this interoceanic link also increases the risk of unintended introductions of marine species to new waters…

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What the Whales Show

PFAS Concentrations in North Atlantic Pilot Whales

Samples during the last three decades show that legacy PFAS are declining in the open ocean, but newer PFAS remain a major unknown and may be accumulating in near-source environments…

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Letter from Susan White

Executive Director of North Carolina Sea Grant

A report from Tourism Economics says that travelers to our state in 2024 added $37 billion to our economy, up 3.1% from the previous year. North Carolina welcomes over 40 million visitors annually…

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From Last Year’s Spring Issue…

Off the NC Coast: Shipwrecks, Turbidities, and Other Wonders

Take a ride in an imaginary submersible, and explore unique creatures and geological features along the ocean floor. You never know what you’ll find…

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Rip Currents Safety

Share this poster and save a life.

Beachgoers often attempt to swim against a rip current and become exhausted before they can return to shore…

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