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North Carolina Sea Grant
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Ecosystems

image: blue crabs.

Nov 10, 2025

Why is North Carolina’s blue crab population declining?

Scientists look at clues from times before and after the decrease began. 
image: Ship passing through Panama Canal.

Jul 14, 2025

What happens when oceans connect?

Expansion of the Panama Canal reshapes local ecosystems.
logo: SA Release Rodeo.

Jun 30, 2025

What kind of gear can you win from the South Atlantic Release Rodeo?

Circle hooks and lead weights, a kite rod and reel combo, and a Turtlebox speaker.
image: blue crab.

May 19, 2025

Are predators following blue crabs?

Studying blue crabs and their surrounding aquatic environments can tell us about species higher in the food chain.
image: Black sea bass.

May 12, 2025

Where are the black sea bass? 

New research shows they could be migrating.

image: black sea bass on a reef.

Apr 28, 2025

What’s the best way to count reef fish?

Scientists compared two methods — high definition video and wire traps — to see which better sampled an array of fish off the Southeast coast.

Mar 31, 2025

What causes bonnethead sharks to migrate?

Bonnetheads have strong preferences regarding temperature.
image: sea turtle.

Mar 17, 2025

Can we predict where to find cold-stunned sea turtles?

New research could improve sea turtle search and rescue.
image: fishing on the water.

Mar 10, 2025

Has cannibalism hindered the recovery of weakfish?

A research team studied data on weakfish stomach samples from the past 20 years.
image: blue crab.

Feb 17, 2025

Will North Carolina’s blue crabs go extinct?

Environmental stressors may push blue crab populations to their breaking point.