Seagrass Loss Bad Sign for Water Quality

North Carolina sounds are losing seagrass, an indicator of the state’s water quality. According to a recently published metric report by Albemarle-Pamlico National Estuary Partnership, or APNEP, there’s been a net loss of at least 5% between 2006 and 2013 of the high-salinity submerged aquatic vegetation, or SAV, habitat in the Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system, which is the second-largest […]

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State Awards Millions for Disaster Recovery

The Dare County Board of Commissioners approved during its regular meeting last week a $1 million grant from the state to help assuage the financial strain caused by last year’s Hurricane Dorian. Like many counties and local and tribal governments, Dare County has been facing budget impacts caused by hurricane damage and applied for the  […]

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Lookout Closer to Becoming Dark Sky Park

The Crystal Coast Stargazers Club members and Cape Lookout National Seashore rangers are working together to preserve the night sky by having the seashore certified as an International Dark Sky Park. A group of astronomy and space enthusiasts in eastern North Carolina that organize and participate in stargazing activities, the Crystal Coast Startgazers Club approached the seashore about applying for […]

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Study Identifies Shellfish Growers’ Needs

A recent feasibility study on North Carolina’s shellfish mariculture industry recommends building three regional business incubators in Onslow, Carteret and Hyde counties to serve as hubs for startup shellfish growers and kick-start growth. Shellfish mariculture is the commercial farming of bivalve shellfish such as oysters, clams and mussels. With investment, there is potential to grow […]

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New Law Addresses Abandoned Boats

A new law gives the state Wildlife Resources Commission authority and funding to remove abandoned and derelict vessels from public waters and state lands. House bill 308, which Gov. Roy Cooper signed Wednesday, designates $1 million for the commission “to inspect, investigate, and remove abandoned and derelict vessels.” The measure also allows the commission to use […]

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Ferry Passengers Are Observing Guidelines

Officials are reporting good compliance with public health recommendations among passengers traveling aboard vessels in the state Ferry Division’s fleet. Jamie Kritzer, assistant director of communications for the North Carolina Department of Transportation, told Coastal Review Online Wednesday that ferry usage was in the thousands for routes to and from Ocracoke Island over the Memorial […]

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Earth Day, Coastal Education Go Online

With the 50th anniversary of Earth Day Wednesday, environmental and educational groups are offering creative ways to celebrate while maintaining social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The first Earth Day was held in 1970, marking the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement, according to the Earth Day global organizer, the Earth […]

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