Research

underwater image of a giant Pacific octopus.

Jun 15, 2026

Did giant octopuses rule the ancient seas?

New research on fossilized jaws suggests massive octopuses may have been intelligent top predators 100 million years ago.

image: Recreational boaters head under the Highway 24 bridge as they motor past Swansboro along the White Oak River.

May 21, 2026

Are you wearing a life jacket?

Life preservers save lives, but many recreational boaters don’t wear them.

Apr 27, 2026

When do blueline tilefish spawn?

Research involving charter boat captains provides critical data on the reproductive biology of blueline tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic and South Atlantic regions.

image: woman holds an adult sheepshead on a boat.

Apr 13, 2026

Where do sheepshead spawn along the North Carolina coast?

New research identifies when and where sheepshead gather to reproduce.

Mar 23, 2026

Are anglers a rising threat to sharks?

Recreational catches of shortfin mako reveal the impacts of modern fishing on open-ocean sharks.

image: Recreational boater family cruises the ICW behind Figure Eight Island.

Aug 29, 2025

Can boating cause carbon monoxide poisoning?

Danger is in the air — and you can’t see or smell it.

image: Boaters and their dog speed south down the Intracoastal Waterway near Figure Eight Island.

Jul 3, 2025

Boating under the influence can be lethal.

Any level of alcohol intake increases the risk of death on the water.

Jun 9, 2025

What happens to abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear?

A new study suggests how much ghost gear might be out there.

Jun 2, 2025

Are big dolphinfish getting harder to catch?

Two decades of fishing data raise concerns about this offshore favorite.

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.