Spring Coastwatch Explores Shrinking Sharks, Birds Battling Climate Change, and More
The spring issue of North Carolina Sea Grant’s award-winning Coastwatch magazine features an in-depth look at the impact of climate change on North Carolina birds, how five decades of data show that sharks in our coastal waters are shrinking, and much more.
In our cover story, Lauren D. Pharr, science communicator with North Carolina Sea Grant and a Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center Global Change Fellow, explains what the next generation of scientists are discovering about the impacts of rising seas and warmer temperatures on birds in North Carolina.
Are sharks trending smaller in our state’s coastal waters? Joel Fodrie at the Institute for Marine Sciences has studied years (and years) of data from Onslow Bay, and his answer, for several species, is yes.
North Carolina Sea Grant fisheries specialists Scott Baker and Sara Mirabilio bring us more of the latest research and news for recreational anglers in this issue’s Hook, Line & Science, including where fish like to spend their time on deepwater shipwrecks.
Nan Pincus, a science communicator with North Carolina Sea Grant and a masters student in technical communication at NC State, discusses an oft-overlooked category of fishers — people who fish for food — and their deep ties with inland communities who rely on the daily catch.
Last year, North Carolina Sea Grant coastal economics specialist Jane Harrison led a research team that published extensive information on North Carolina’s seafood industry, and for our new issue she gives us four big takeaways from that report.
In February, we previewed our spring issue with a sneak peek at “First Wave,” Bridgett A. Lacy’s story of the heroic Pea Island Surfmen, whose rescue of a ship run aground in the middle of a hurricane ushered in six decades of African American lifesaving crews at the Pea Island Station.
In addition, Spencer Rogers, North Carolina Sea Grant’s recently retired coastal construction and erosion specialist, talked with Katie Mosher, the program’s communication director, about the four-decade history of coastal change he has witnessed while with Sea Grant, including how our state was one of the first to require the study of sea level rise.
Rogers has served the state on a wide variety of issues, including promoting rip currents safety, and at the end of his interview we include our latest Rip Currents Safety poster. Share the link, or print it out and put it up — and save a life.
And, as usual, Coastwatch also offers new recipes in Mariner’s Menu, including springtime treats like crab cakes with fresh lime, sautéed tuna steaks with tarragon, and more.
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Coastwatch online: ncCoastwatch.org
In print: go.ncsu.edu/Subscribe-Now. New subscriptions will start with the Summer 2022 issue.
Permissions: Some content that appears in Coastwatch is available to republish. Email dmshaw@ncsu.edu.
