Each fall, flounder begin to find their way to the ocean, with fishermen in pursuit. Some use hook and some use net. Sam Bland, our intrepid naturalist, explains the age-old art of gigging for them.
Archives
Work Begins on Controversial Subdivision
After years of environmental and legal disputes, land created when man-made canals were dug along Topsail Sound in Surf City is being developed.
Saving the Soul of Ocracoke
The Ocracoke Foundation has closed on the half-acre Ocracoke Community Square and its docks, shops and views of postcard-pretty Silver Lake harbor. The acquisition is a vital step toward protection of the vibrant heart of the village.
Water Bill Worries Jones, Others on Coast
As it heads to a conference committee, the federal water resources bill still has some skeptics on the N.C. coast, chief among them U.S. Rep. Walter Jones.
Glimpse Behind the Fish Tanks
The state aquarium at Fort Fisher offers behind-the-scenes tours that bring you nose-to-nose with all kinds of sea critters, like this porcupine puffer.
The Flight of the Oystercatcher
Little backpack transmitters attached to six American oystercatchers are helping N.C. scientists understand the plight of a troubled species.
A Gathering of Keepers’ Descendants
More than 250 direct descendants of the men who manned the Bodie Island Lighthouse came together in Dare County to take part in a homecoming.
Pamlico Commissioners Want Answers
The Pamlico County commissioners voted last night to ask the Army Corps of Engineers to re-examine its decision that wetlands aren’t present on hundreds of forested acres near Merritt that were cleared for farming.
Land Clearing in Pamlico May Spur Action
Pamlico County commissioners tonight will consider taking action on a major land-clearing operation that farmers and business leaders fear is damaging wetlands and could lead to serious coastal water quality degradation.
Getting the Kids Outside
Students in Kill Devil Hills will have more opportunities to get outside and learn about the coastal environment thanks to a $5,000 federal grant that the N.C. Coastal Federation recently received.
The Resiliency of Jellies
Moon jelly fish stranded on an autumn beach seemed like a sad story of dislocation and abandonment, but they were also testaments to the resiliency of nature.
Pelican Award: Bob High
Chat with Bob High for five minutes and you will discover the two things he is truly passionate about: craft beer and coastal North Carolina. Chat with him a little longer and you’ll understand what a natural pairing that is.
Stemming the Stampede
New rules have brought some order to the free for all along Currituck Banks where tourists and tour guides crowded the beaches for a chance to see the wild horses.
Our Coast’s Food: Charcoal Mullet
Fall’s first chilly nips trigger a smoky scent along North Carolina’s coastal back roads where embers in barbecue pits and grills coax the savory smell of an old-fashioned dish locals lovingly call “charcoal mullet.”
Flood Insurance Changes Explained
After being buffeted for years with criticism for encouraging irresponsible development along coastlines, the National Flood Insurance Program has begun phasing out subsidies on policies for high-risk properties.
Insect Safari in the Dismal Swamp
A visit to the Dismal Swamp State Park yields many stories and sights, including a myriad of six- and eight-legged critters, as seen during a recent state park’s “Insect Safari.”
