Catch-and-Release Gear, Minigrants, Black Sea Bass Featured in Coastwatch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
E-Ching Lee, 919-515-9098, eching_lee@ncsu.edu

Posted Tuesday, November 24, 2015

New catch-and-release gear is being tested that may help improve fish survival. In North Carolina Sea Grant’s Holiday 2015 issue of Coastwatch magazine, Emma Fass and E-Ching Lee explain how North Carolina, Virginia and New Jersey Sea Grant programs’ fisheries experts are helping fishes survive release. In a related story, Sea Grant’s fisheries specialist Sara Mirabilio explains how one fishing trip had seasoned anglers and disadvantaged youth testing a prototype device.

North Carolina Sea Grant’s minigrants — small but mighty — support quick turnaround for pilot studies. Find out why the minigrant program is considered a best-management practice. In related articles, Sea Grant deputy director John Fear highlights the strengths of the minigrant program; Chuck Bangley reports on how humans are contributing to local populations of jellyfish blooms; Rebecca Nagy explores a minigrant that helped a North Carolina business test an alternative crab bait; and Janna Sasser checks in on a researcher examining the arrival of a tropical algae species.

Braving the elements — and a sometimes uncooperative target species — Jack Horan attends a dogfish tournament for the hardy.

Jamie Heath discusses how community support could benefit the State Wildlife Action Plan.

Ian Kroll is studying black sea bass for answers to why North Carolina’s marine habitats influence its growth and maturity. Find out what he learns.

Lee and Barry Nash visit with researchers testing new ways to catch and consume the invader, lionfish.

North Carolina Sea Grant is offering a new Community Collaborative Research Grant Program focusing on partnerships. Katie Mosher explains.

Coastwatch is the flagship publication of North Carolina Sea Grant. Many current and past Coastwatch stories can be viewed online at www.nccoastwatch.org. To request a sample copy of Coastwatch, write to Coastwatch, North Carolina Sea Grant, NC State University, Box 8605, Raleigh, NC 27695-8605; call 919-515-9101; or send an email to sandra_harris@ncsu.edu.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: The text of stories that appear in Coastwatch may be reprinted with the following credit: Reprinted from Coastwatch, a publication of North Carolina Sea Grant. For a complimentary copy, call 919-515-9101 or send an email to sandra_harris@ncsu.edu.

For reprint requests regarding photos in Coastwatch, contact E-Ching Lee, 919-515-9098, eching_lee@ncsu.edu.

North Carolina Sea Grant: Your link to research and resources for a healthier coast