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Why Is North Carolina’s Blue Crab Population Declining?

News

image: Otolith cross-section.

Mar 26, 2026

Why the Age of a Fish Matters

Scientists estimate fish ages by analyzing ear bones, scales, or spines, thanks to work at NOAA's Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Beaufort, North Carolina. Here's why it matters.
image: Ryan delivering a talk on a boat.

Mar 24, 2026

New Reef Fish Fellow Jumps Into Angler Outreach

“The South Atlantic Sea Grant programs are excited to work with Ryan McMullen as our latest reef fish fellow,” says Scott Baker, fisheries specialist with North Carolina Sea Grant. “Ryan has a lot of enthusiasm for angler outreach and has jumped right into the fellowship plan of work.”
image: Yancey County aerial shot of post-Helene damage.

Mar 23, 2026

Ready, Set, Resilience

Two hurricanes and a global pandemic exposed the need to support students struggling with upheaval. Researchers at NC State and Duke collaborated with educators and others on a Sea Grant project to guide middle schoolers through turbulent times.
image: Sam Holberg in the field.

Mar 19, 2026

Protecting North Carolina Coastlines with Natural Solutions

NC State doctoral student Sam Holberg, joint Sea Grant & Coastal Reserve Research Fellow, is investigating the effects of oyster farms on shorelines -- which could inform lasting solutions for our coast.
image: blue crabs on deck.

Mar 17, 2026

Why Is North Carolina’s Blue Crab Population Declining?

North Carolina Sea Grant, NC State, and additional partners looked at clues from before and after the decline in blue crabs.