Contributed by the Jennette’s Pier staff

Along coastal Carolina’s beach towns, parks and residential areas, there’s a building movement to reduce artificial lighting that negatively impacts wildlife.

The North Carolina Aquariums are proud to be joining an ever-growing movement of migration to wildlife-friendly lighting, which often shine an amber hue.

In Nags Head, Jennette’s Pier has transformed its nighttime outline with new shielded fixtures with amber lighting, which ultimately creates less light pollution, according to Director Mike Remige.

“This specific color temperature is far less disruptive to insects, bats, birds, and, most importantly along the oceanfront, sea turtles,” he said. “It also reduces eye strain for people, better preserving our night vision.”

The idea of transforming lighting at the three aquariums and Jennette’s Pier has been developing for years, according to Dr. Carol Price, conservation research coordinator for the North Carolina Aquariums.

The North Carolina Aquariums’ Conservation Action Plan first prioritized the use of wildlife-friendly lighting at Aquarium facilities back in 2021, Price said.

In January 2023, sea turtle conservation groups from near and far assembled for the North Carolina Sea Turtle Symposium at the University of North Carolina Wilmington where light pollution was a “huge topic,” Price said.

Conservation leaders met again in March for the Southeast Regional Sea Turtle conference in Orange Beach, Alabama, where the topic was again discussed. The pair of meetings were an “inspirational call for action,” Price said.

Scientists have been collecting data on how light pollution impacts nesting turtles and their clutch of babies or hatchlings.

“We know nesting mothers may not nest where there’s light pollution,” Price added.

Another problem light pollution creates has to do with hatchlings making their dash to the sea.

When sea turtle nests erupt or “boil” with the tiny babies, the reptiles are hard-wired to use natural environmental cues, such as following the brightest horizon like the reflection of the moon and stars on the water and the downward slope of the beach, to find their way to the ocean.

Light pollution confuses this innate navigation system, resulting in hatchlings becoming disoriented and unable to reach the ocean before they fall prey to predators or succumb to dehydration, according to aquarist Michele Lamping with the aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores.

She has spent the last 20 years working with sea turtles, which include three endangered species: Kemp’s ridley, Atlantic hawksbill and leatherback, as well as two threatened species loggerhead and green sea turtles.

She has a passion for protecting them all and is currently involved in several important projects including the operation of the N.C. Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores’ sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation operations.

She also is the volunteer coordinator for the Atlantic Beach Sea Turtle Patrols, which protects sea turtle nests.

Lamping has attended numerous lighting workshops and conferences. She says there’s a movement to curtail and negate harmful artificial lighting across all of North Carolina.

“We’re also trying to address negative impacts to wildlife from all lighting including residential, municipal and pier lighting along our beaches,” Lamping said. “Northwest Florida has already gone through lighting retrofits, now Southwest Florida is going through it too.”

Price and Lamping worked directly with Kristi Spohn of SESCO Lighting’s Florida Branch who crafted the plan for Jennette’s Pier’s refit. There is a growing need in North Carolina for industry leaders specializing in wildlife-friendly lighting, they said.

Price and Lamping said it took many steps and many years to get the project to this point. They each hope it will inspire other piers and properties to do the same.

Remige reports that a significant amount of unrestricted support funds from the N.C. Aquarium Society paid for the 200 new fixtures. These include low mounted pathways lights along with wall sconces, overhead recessed can lights as well as bollards and lampposts.

“Fortunately, the changeover came right when many of the old bollards and lampposts were starting to fail,” Remige said.

A certified electrical contractor plans to wrap up installation of Phase 1 soon, Remige noted. The 29 tall parking lot lights will be changed in Phase 2 of the project as more funds become available.

Remige said that the town of Nags Head has already deployed LED lighting at several crosswalks and sea turtle-friendly lights at several beach accesses.

“We’re all trying to make a difference for wildlife,” Remige added.

A handful of additional Carolina coastal towns and ocean piers such as Oak Island Pier also use wildlife-friendly lighting.

With 330 miles of sandy ocean beaches, it’s going to take a lot of work to protect sea turtles which have roamed the seas and nested on North Carolina beaches for 150,000 million years.

Submitted by UNCW Media Relations

When Rita and Tom McCabe started collecting shells, fossils and treasures like megalodon teeth during leisurely walks along the shoreline of West Onslow Beach in the 1970s, they gradually found a variety of larger bones that they kept stored in their garage for years. 

When Rita was ready to part with some of their collection, the McCabes called the University of North Carolina Wilmington Department of Biology and Marine Biology to see if it would be interested in a donation. 

“They drove a small Chevy S10 pickup truck to campus, and they had bones hanging out all over the place,” recalled Dr. David Webster 1976, senior associate dean for the College of Arts and Sciences and UNCW professor of 39 years.  

Little did they know, the McCabes had found the bones of a North Atlantic gray whale, a marine mammal species that has been extinct for at least 300 years. 

“At first, we thought they were bones from a humpback whale, but as I looked closer and as the UNCW Marine Mammal Stranding Program grew under the leadership of Dr. Ann Pabst and Mr. William McLellan, we discovered what a rare specimen we had,” Webster said. “At that point, we grew very excited because there was very little scientific information on the North Atlantic gray whale population because it was no longer here.”

A visit from Dr. Nicholas Pyenson, fossil marine mammal curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, confirmed that the skeleton was a North Atlantic gray whale and a valuable scientific specimen. 

Housed in Friday Hall for decades, along with 30,000 other specimens currently on display, the skeleton is the world’s most complete specimen of a North Atlantic gray whale, made up of 42 bones including the jawbones, cranial bones, vertebrae, ribs, scapulae and upper and lower arm bones.  

UNCW recently gifted the skeleton to the Smithsonian Museum where it will be permanently displayed in the National Museum of Natural History, and its origins will be recorded in the National Archives.

UNCW researchers – both staff and students – have performed years of forensic science on the whale specimen under Webster’s leadership.

Faculty member Dr. Alyson Fleming coordinated the documentation of the skeleton along with Courtney Johnson, associate professor of art and art history, who photographed all individual and collective elements of the juvenile specimen. Additionally, students like Savannah Maynor, class of 2021, helped measure and document the elements and conducted literature and background research over multiple semesters.  

UNCW researchers discovered through radiocarbon tests that the bones are hundreds of years old and probably washed ashore after the young whale died of natural causes during a migration period. They theorize that the carcass floated into the New River Inlet and ended up in the nearby salt marshes. Some of the bones have root stains that are traced back to the salt marsh grasses, while other bones have cut marks on them.  

Dr. David La Vere, a professor in the department of history, provided information on culture in the southeast region at the time. He thinks the cut marks are most likely from Native Americans who fished and hunted along the coast who found the whale and butchered the carcass.

A team of Smithsonian curatorial staff traveled to UNCW in November and took two days to carefully pack up the bones, transport them back to the nation’s capital and place them securely into their new home in the paleobiology collection at the museum.  

In  “A Gray Whale Makes its Way to the Smithsonian,” an article featured on the Smithsonian Ocean website which documents the transfer, author Alia Payne wrote, “…the skull alone took four people and a rolling cart to carry in.” 

Scientists worldwide will now be able to dive deeper into research about this marine mammal and why it became extinct.  

“We are being good stewards of representing science the way science is supposed to be by giving this specimen to the museum,” said Webster. “The UNCW name will always be affiliated with that specimen because our specimen number is written in indelible ink on every bone.” 

Rita and Tom McCabe are no longer living, but Webster said he thought that they would be happy to know their beach walk treasures are now preserved in “the best collection in the United States” and could lead to new discoveries. 

“I’m sure they are just tickled pink,” he said. “They are probably saying, ‘Can you believe it? We made it big time’.” 

Submitted by North Carolina Maritime Museums

The undead won’t be the only reawakening during a Halloween event set for Friday. The event itself is a sort of resurrection of the Fright Nights hosted in years past by the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort. 

The museum’s inaugural “Boo-Fort Halloween” will feature a trunk or treat and haunted trail hayride, both from 4 to 6 p.m., and a drive-in showing of “Night of the Living Dead” Friday at its Gallants Channel Annex, 293 W Beaufort Road Extension.

Kicking off the Halloween-related activities, there will be a talk at 11 a.m. in the museum auditorium on Maritime Myths and Legends. The free, informal lecture looks at the possible origins of some of the best-known sea monsters and more.  

“Boo-Fort grew from one little thing,” museum Associate Education Curator Christine Brin explained. “We started with the drive-in movie thinking it’d be fun. Then we added the Trunk or Treat, which I wanted to do at the museum for years.” 

Not long after planning started, museum volunteer Joanne Powell brought in the East Carteret High School Film Club to add a haunted trail hayride.  

“Joanne was the creator of the Fright Night programs,” Brin said. “So she came out of ‘retirement’ for this.” 

The free Trunk or Treat activity from 4-6 p.m. features decorated trunks filled with goodies for trick-or-treaters. Businesses, organizations and individuals who would like to host a trunk are welcome to do so. The spots are free but trunk hosts must decorate with a child-friendly theme, supply their own treats and be set up on site by 4 p.m. and leave no later than 6 p.m. Contact Brin at Christine.Brin@ncdcr.gov to reserve a spot. 

The haunted trail hayride will also run from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday and then again from 6 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. Students from the East Carteret High School Film Club will be haunting the nature trail. Officials warn that some of the scenes may not be appropriate for younger children. 

Brin said while she was initially most looking forward to the Trunk or Treat, after meeting with the ECHS students her excitement has increased about the haunted hayride. 

“Now that the haunted hayride is coming together with the high schoolers, it’s beyond my imagination,” she said. “Their enthusiasm and ideas are unmatched.” 

Admission to the Haunted Trail Hayride is $5 each and 8 and under free. Proceeds benefit the film club. 

Yard games will be set up on the lawn, and Frank’s Franks food truck will be on site starting at 4 p.m. for those who want to grab some refreshments.

Boo-Fort Halloween wraps up with a free drive-in showing of 1968’s “Night of the Living Dead” at sunset around 6:30 p.m. The low-budget horror movie where the dead come back to life is not as violent and gory as later horror movies, but there are still plenty of violent moments. Parents should note that there is also occasional mild profanity and some cigarette smoking. There is no pre-registration or fee for the showing. Parking is on a first-come, first served basis. Donations will be accepted. 

For more information, call 252-504-7740 or visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com. 

Submitted by North Carolina Maritime Museums

A brief gathering on Wednesday morning unveiled another first for the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport: tactile maps of the facility. 

The maps combine contrasting graphics and braille to allow visitors with low-vision or who have blindness to independently access the museum at 204 E. Moore St. in downtown Southport.

The map outlines the layout of the museum, including walls, doors, emergency exits and openings between exhibits and hallways. Its two pages, the map and its legend, will be mounted on either side a foam board and handed out to those who would benefit from having an aid in navigating the site.

The tactile map is just one of the tools recently added to enhance the museum experience. 

“We’ve taken a lot of small steps to offer greater inclusion,” Education Curator Katy Menne said, listing the semi-guided ASL tour, multilingual signage and dedicated spaces and tools for those with sensory sensitivities already offered at the museum. “After working to address those needs, we wanted to do something for those with low vision and/or total blindness.” 

She thought it was worth exploring tactile maps, which she had heard about during webinars and in talking to staff with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. She and Museum Manager Lori Sanderlin took the idea to the Southport Lions Club and the Friends of the Museum for financial support. 

Southport Lions Club President Ken Updike said it made sense for them to support the project since it so clearly aligned with the group’s mission to help with vision needs.  

“The whole project they presented just made it easy for us to get on board,” he said. “It’s a good fit for us and good fit for the community.” 

Updike, along with five other members of the club, joined museum staff and Friends President Tom Hale for Wednesday’s “unboxing” ceremony where Menne unveiled the maps for the first time.  

“To see this today,” Updike said, “it’s going to change how people come in here. They can be independent.” 

And that independence is one of the goals of both the maps and the other tools in use at the museum, Menne said.  

“You can wander and explore on your own,” she said, adding that the next step is creating 3-D reproduction of its artifacts.

The goal is to have at least one artifact per exhibit that is 3-D printed or a reproduction that visitors can interact with physically. It’s part of a larger goal to include an interactive or a game tied to each exhibit to help visitors of all abilities learn more by incorporating movement and touch. 

“Hands-on experience has a more lasting impact,” Menne said. “It’s making that personal connection.” 

The N.C. Maritime Museum at Southport is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, call 910-477-5151 or visit ncmaritimemuseumsouthport.com.

Submitted by the Division of Marine Fisheries

Sgt. Odell Williams is the North Carolina Marine Patrol Officer of the year for 2021, an honor which he says the officers who work with him deserve as much as he does.

“If it weren’t for them, I would be nothing anyway,” Williams said. “It all goes back to teamwork.”

Capt. Chris Lee, who nominated Williams for the award, said William’s humbleness is part of his personality. Lee says Williams’ exemplary work stands out, and the officers in his district who voted for him agree.

“He’s probably deserved it for years,” Lee said. “He always has been and always will be someone who goes above and beyond.”

Williams will be among the North Carolina Wildlife Federation Governor’s Conservation Achievement Awards recipients honored at the organization’s annual awards banquet Sept. 11 in Cary.

Lee describes Williams as a “good ol’ fella” who is there to help, no matter what time of the day or night he is called.

Williams distinguished himself this past year by filling the gap left by staffing shortages. When his long-time captain retired, the district was without a leader for six months. In that same period, Williams also worked in the field to cover at least four vacant officer positions.

“Throughout his 25-year career, Sgt. Williams has been a standup officer, is always there regardless of circumstance, has never missed a beat or even thought about slowing down,” said Marine Patrol Col. Carter Witten. “There is no other more deserving officer.” 

Williams, 55, was born in Belhaven. He graduated from Mattamuskeet High School in 1985 and received a certificate as a heavy equipment mechanic from Beaufort County Community College in 1987.

He began with the State of North Carolina in 1996 with the Department of Corrections at Hyde Correctional Institute where he worked for seven years and was promoted to the rank of sergeant in 1998.

While at the prison, Williams talked to two Marine Patrol officers who came to his neighborhood to help after a hurricane, and he then knew what he wanted to do in life. He attended Basic Law Enforcement Training at night, received his certificate, and began working with the Hyde County Sheriff’s Department. 

“I wanted to be with the North Carolina Marine Patrol since day one, but I was always told I needed to gain some experience before applying for the job,” Williams said. 

He began his career with the Marine Patrol in September of 2004, stationed on the 48-foot patrol vessel Roanoke in Nags Head. He was assigned to the vessel for 26 months before transferring to Hyde County. 

Williams worked in the field in Hyde County, solving numerous cases, including one that resulted in a large seizure of striped bass with replacement costs totaling more than $373,000. He was promoted to sergeant in 2012 and began supervising eight officers who patrol the southern half of District 1, which includes Hyde County, Dare County and the P/V Roanoke.

Williams holds his Intermediate law enforcement certificate and is a field training officer and background investigator. His background in heavy equipment mechanics also makes him an asset to the Marine Patrol as he can help officers across the state fix mechanical equipment issues and get back in the field faster.

Williams lives near Swan Quarter with his wife of 30 years, Viola Williams. He has two children, Tyler, 21, and Mary Grace, 15. He is a Master Mason at Atlantic Lodge 294 in Swan Quarter and a member of Swan Quarter Christian Church.

Contributed by N.C. Maritime Museums

Port cities have always been a melting pot, but not all of the diverse voices found in them have been given a platform. 

Staff at the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport hope a new exhibit is a step toward changing that.  

“We believe that all people have a story to share and deserve to be represented within the museum,” Education Curator Katy Menne said.  

Menne and other staff at the museum collaborated with the Frank Harr Foundation to identify members of the LGBTQIA+ communities whose art also intersects with the maritime community.

Following a community campaign, five artists were selected to share their connections with the water. “How Does the Water Speak to You?,” the temporary art exhibit that featuring that work, will be on display June 16 to Sept. 7 in the museum gallery.  

Work was not limited to a particular medium, and objects in the exhibit include watercolor and acrylic paintings, as well as digital and found object artworks. But they share a common connection: art with a maritime connection created by members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual/aromantic/ally and other terms yet to be identified communities.  

The exhibit is part of a concerted effort to provide a platform for members of historically marginalized communities.  

“We had been talking about including different identities in different exhibits and programs,” Menne said. “The art show allowed us to see and hear from diverse communities, another step in showing we’re including all people in the museum.” 

The Frank Harr Foundation, an LGBTQIA education and outreach organization based in Wilmington, helped identify the artists in the community whose work had ties to the water.  

Featured artists, their works and media include Alexander Brooks, “Entangled,” watercolor; Robin Douglass, “Sailboats & Buoys,” driftwood, cloth and cork; Achilles Hack, “Patroclus and Achilles,” digital; Campbell Idol, “Hidden Identity,” acrylic; Hannah Marley, “Small Treasure,” glass and found objects.  

Brooks, who studied fine arts and scene painting at North Carolina School of the Arts and Appalachian State University, said in his artist bio that he has often found his art tends towards a more illustrative and whimsical feel, even when the themes present may be dark.  

“To me, art is about exploring the human condition, the ways our minds work,” he wrote. “Sometimes it’s the sheer enormity of a child’s imagination while at play; sometimes, it’s the damage that’s inflicted by others, our environments and ourselves.” 

That sort of emotion is the driving force behind the exhibit, Menne said. She explained that maritime history and culture is felt, not just read. By tapping into the breadth of experiences tied to our shores and our coast, she said, everybody can see themselves in the museum. 

“We’re always looking for more diverse voices, both historic and contemporary,” Menne said. “That way, everybody is welcome, everybody is learning.” 

For more information, call 910-477-5151 or visit ncmaritimemuseumsouthport.com. 

Submitted by North Carolina Maritime Museums

Staff with the North Carolina Division of Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing spent Wednesday at the North Carolina Maritime Museum in Southport taking the newly offered American Sign Language tour. 

Museum Education Curator Katy Menne said she was overwhelmed by the level of enthusiasm and excitement among the four taking the tour.

“That reaction was the hope when we put this into action,” Menne said. “But to see it firsthand, it made me quite emotional.”

The museum at 204 E. Moore St. in downtown Southport recently released the new semi-guided video tour that includes spoken English, closed captions and American Sign Language to replace the in-person tours previously offered but currently suspended due to COVID-19.

Visitors using one of the tablets available for loan, their own smart phone or other device can scan a QR code that takes them to the video on YouTube. Guests are asked to bring and use headphones if they plan to follow the audio portion of the 23-minute tour, which spends just a minute or two on the major permanent exhibits.

Menne said the idea for the tour started when a family of three who were hearing impaired toured the museum gallery.

“I didn’t feel we effectively communicated and shared the history with them,” she said. “Since then, it’s been in the back of my head, ‘How can we do better?’”

From that, a video was recorded and posted in November. This week’s visit was to help her refine the tour.

“These are the people educating and helping the deaf community adapt and be successful,” Menne said. “It was important to hear their insights.”

Some of the suggestions included offering a hands-free holder, adding artifact images to the video along with marks on the floor or exhibit indicating the subject under discussion and clearer prompts when it’s time to switch exhibits. But the consensus was that it was already an important and successful offering.

“This is great,” Deaf Services Specialist Daisy Rivenbark told Menne. Rivenbark’s comments were relayed by Interpreter Services Specialist Jett Butterworth. “I’m excited about this.”

Division Telecommunications Consultant Gideon Friant also expressed his approval of the tour.

“I’ve gone through pretty good,” Friant, via Butterworth, said. “I am impressed with what you have done. It’s really great to have an interpreter-led tour.”

Menne said the tour is just one way of making the museum more accessible and welcoming to all. Other efforts include programs and sensory backpacks designed for sensory sensitive patrons, directional signage in both English and Spanish, volunteer and staff training to assist neurodiverse populations and an upcoming art show featuring artists who identify in the LGBTQIA+ community.

“Now that we’re able to have more interaction, our inclusion efforts have definitely had an impact,” Menne said. “It is something that is clearly a passion of this branch of the museums.”

For more information, call 910-477-5151 or visit ncmaritimemuseumsouthport.com.

From North Carolina Sea Grant

The North Carolina Shellfish Farming Academy launched in June, with its inaugural sessions at Carteret Community College.

Based on growing demand, another session is already set to start in September.

“Because of industry development and expansion, North Carolina had a need for a comprehensive shellfish mariculture training program that would combine classroom studies with hands-on field training to support the needs of prospective growers,” said Bryan Snyder, North Carolina Sea Grant’s mariculture extension associate.

“The students taking this course are men and women of different age groups, coming from varied backgrounds. A few have taken other aquaculture classes, or have done their own research on some of the topics in the class. Others are being introduced to them here,” Snyder added. “Most have plans to enter the industry, with some already in the process of starting their own farm. We expect these students will come out of this class with the information they need to succeed in this industry.”

A partnership between North Carolina Sea Grant and Carteret Community College, the academy is offered through the campus continuing education department, with classes offered in person and online. Funding for the course development is from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Aquaculture and the National Sea Grant College program.

“We felt it was important to add this training opportunity to our existing aquaculture curriculum in such a way that it would be accessible to people who are currently working in other industries and are not able to commit the time to complete one of our certificate or degree programs,” said David Cerino, chair of the CCC aquaculture program.

In-person field days are held at the Shellfish Mariculture Demonstration Center on the Carteret Community College and near the Sea Grant’s central coastal office at North Carolina State University’s Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, or CMAST. Construction of this facility was funded through NOAA Sea Grant, the North Carolina General Assembly, and the college.

“These exercises give students firsthand experience in shellfish mariculture techniques,” explained Snyder, who serves as lead instructor, building upon his industry experience as a mariculture technician and hatchery manager.

The course introduces students to techniques used in hatcheries and nurseries to raise shellfish seed — juvenile oysters and clams — that farmers typically buy to raise on their farms.

The students then consider farming, or grow out, methods used to bring shellfish to the legal sizes that consumers see at restaurants and markets. The path from nursery to grow out generally takes one to two years and requires hands-on management along the way.

“Raising shellfish may seem fairly simple, but there is actually a lot of hard work, process timing, and environmental factors that affect profitability,” Snyder explained. “Providing the opportunity to work through some of those steps here, before starting their own farms should help make that process easier to navigate once our students strike out on their own.”

In addition to the “nuts and bolts” of shellfish farm operations, the course covers management topics, such as securing shellfish leases, and developing seafood safety and business plans.

“During the course students get to hear directly from the folks in the leasing and shellfish sanitation sections at the state Division of Marine Fisheries, extension and shellfish health experts at NC State University, and business planning and development professionals from the Small Business Center. These contacts will continue to be valuable as the students enter into the industry and grow their farms,” Cerino said.

The inaugural academy will run through Aug. 22. The second academy is scheduled to begin after Labor Day at Carteret Community College. Preregistration is currently open and can be found here.

“North Carolina Sea Grant is excited about the Shellfish Farming Academy and the role it can play in developing a future workforce and meeting our state’s demand for fresh shellfish,” said Frank López, Sea Grant extension director.

The NOAA project includes additional partners from Sea Grant programs in South Carolina and Georgia, who plan to tailor a training program similar to the North Carolina Shellfish Farming Academy.

Written by North Carolina Sea Grant’s communications director Katie Mosher

North Carolina Sea Grant has released a new series of downloadable seafood posters designed for retailers that showcase kitchen-tested recipes from Mariner’s Menu, the program’s seafood recipe and resources site.

Designed by former intern Hayden Stephens, who will graduate this month from Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, the 13 mini-posters also feature photos by Vanda Lewis, plus information on where to find more seafood recipes.

“We will be sharing the poster links with seafood markets to highlight ways consumers can enjoy the flavors and seasonality of our fish and shellfish,” said Barry Nash, Sea Grant’s seafood specialist.

The timing is appropriate as more folks are eating at home, and are seeking out North Carolina seafood. A recent Sea Grant survey, led by Nash, found that recipes are the most important among six options to improve seafood cooking experiences at home.

The posters also highlight a partnership with the Got to Be NC Seafood campaign of the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which funded seafood purchases for Sea Grant’s Lewis to test more recipes and photograph the results.

“We hope these new recipe posters will encourage consumers to purchase a more diversified palette of N.C. seafood species and also show the ease of preparation of delicious seafood dishes,” said John M. Aydlett, the department’s seafood marketing specialist.

Sea Grant shared the first posters at the Seafood Jubilee, hosted by Locals Seafood last winter, just before restrictions were initiated to limit the spread of COVID-19.

“The timing gave Hayden a perspective on how the seafood supply chain quickly changed as restaurants closed or limited sales to pickup and delivery. That meant the role of seafood markets became critical to consumers and to the fishing communities,” said Katie Mosher, Sea Grant’s communications director.

For Stephens, working on the project as the pandemic unfolded took on extra urgency. “Our goal quickly became educating consumers enough that they felt confident supporting seafood markets and fishing communities through these uncertain times,” she says.

North Carolina Sea Grant offers more than 200 kitchen-tested recipes — using N.C. commercial fisheries species — through the resource book “Mariner’s Menu: 30 Years of Fresh Seafood Ideas,” distributed by the University of North Carolina Press, as well as online at MarinersMenu.org, which caters to seafood retailers, their customers and all home cooks.

The recipes were developed by former Sea Grant consumer specialist Joyce Taylor and her Carteret County volunteers, the Nutrition Leaders, using seafood harvested by North Carolina fishermen. After retiring from Sea Grant, Taylor continued creating recipes for another 10 years.

Recently, Sea Grant has added more Mariner’s Menu recipes online.

“Many of these include new flavors that go beyond the classic cooking styles on the N.C. coast,” Lewis said.

“Through the Mariner’s Menu book and website, people can learn how to discern seafood quality at the retail counter; to safely handle and freeze raw seafood; and to prepare flavorful, nutritious meals at home using trustworthy recipes developed by people who grew up along the coast eating fresh, local seafood,” Nash explained. “These are truly comprehensive resources to help people select, store and cook North Carolina seafood.”

Posters

• Asian Curried Shrimp
• Baked Spotted Trout with Herbs
• Basil-Encrusted Triggerfish
• Crab-Stuffed Baked Potatoes
• Deep-Fried Soft-Shell Crabs
• Easy Grilled Soft-Shell Crabs
• Grilled Tuna with Herb Butter
• Grilled Tuna with Lemon; Mayonnaise
• Southern Fried Oysters
• Stuffed Clams
• Walnut-Encrusted Snapper

Submitted by North Carolina Maritime Museums

An upcoming seminar will focus on an important turning point in American history, including a deeper look at its impact in North Carolina.

A limited number of seats are available for “Spring into History: Remembering Reconstruction Symposium,” which will explore subjects related to post-Civil War Reconstruction in North Carolina and South Carolina.

The symposium hosted by the N.C. Maritime Museum at Southport will be from 11 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. April 4 at Murrow Hall, 209 E. Nash St. in Southport. Limited seats are available, and advance registration is required. Registration is $40 and includes lunch. There is a 10% discount for members of the Friends of the Museum at the Family level and above, students and teachers who can also receive CEU credits for attending.

“The thought behind the topic, Reconstruction, is it’s a topic that many people don’t understand,” museum Education Curator Katy Menne said. “While we’ll focus on the Civil War Reconstruction, we’re also moving on and seeing the implications today.”

The symposium will feature three formal presentations followed by a panel discussion on Reconstruction and its lingering impacts.

Angela Zombek, assistant history professor at University of North Carolina Wilmington, will start the day with “Competing Visions of the Post-War World: Military Reconstruction & Southern Resistance in North Carolina,” a discussion of how the U.S. Army attempted to implement congressional Republicans’ vision for ending slavery and extending many civil rights to black Americans. Zombek will also look at how North Carolina rewrote its constitution and ultimately rejoined the Union.

“Reconstruction is, in many ways, one of the most complicated and least understood periods in American history,” Zombek said.

And that history includes some difficult conversations, including how white southerners resisted and challenged the progress of Reconstruction.

“Understanding Reconstruction, its limited successes, and its ultimate failure is key to understanding race relations in the U.S., even up to this day,” she said.

Adam Domby of the College of Charleston will follow with “North Carolina’s Unique Memory of Reconstruction,” which discusses how Confederate monuments and white supremacy shaped our memory of Reconstruction. His newly released book, “The False Cause: Fraud, Fabrication, and White Supremacy in Confederate Memory,” discusses this topic in depth.

“When we first started planning this, there was a lot of discussion of monuments in the news,” Menne said, noting that helped lead them to Domby and his work exploring the topic.

The final presentation of the day is “Reconstruction in the Carolinas in the Eyes of the Nation.” Stephen West from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., will take a look at how Reconstruction was portrayed in the media, taking a particular look at Albion W. Tourgee’s novel, “A Fool’s Errand,” and D.W. Griffith’s film, “Birth of a Nation.”

The symposium will wrap up with a panel discussion.

“The Carolinas were at the center of the nation’s debate on these topics,” Menne said. “We’re excited to share this with historians, history lovers, teachers — we want the museum to be seen as a place for continuing education.”

Registration for the symposium closes at 5 p.m. March 28 or when all available spaces are filled. For more information on the symposium or to register, contact Katy Menne at katy.menne@ncdcr.gov or 910-477-5153.

This Q&A was first published Jan. 7 by The Pew Charitable Trusts. Coastal Review Online is reprinting this article as a followup to an original report in August 2018, just weeks after nursery operations began and less than a month before Hurricane Florence struck the coast, a temporary but significant setback for the business.

Like many states on the East Coast, North Carolina had a thriving wild oyster population until the mid-20th century when overharvesting, water pollution and habitat destruction began to take their toll. But in recent years, an oyster-farming movement has sparked economic and ecological benefits — and hope for wild oysters.

The Pew Charitable Trusts is working with partners in the state to advance oyster recovery, which can improve habitat and water quality, and protect shorelines from storms. To learn more, Pew spoke with Susan Hill, co-owner of Down East Mariculture, an oyster nursery on Jarrett Bay in Carteret County. This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Q: What’s involved in growing oysters?

A: I usually order about 3 to 5 million oyster larvae from a hatchery in Virginia, and they arrive as a little black ball, about the size of a golf ball. Each larva is smaller than a grain of sand. We look at them under a microscope to make sure they’re alive and moving around. Since they’ve been refrigerated, it takes a little while for them to wake up.

We acclimate the larvae to the temperature and salinity of our larvae tanks, and then add them to the silos — barrels with screens in the bottom –with the goal of having each larva attach to one piece of micro cultch, ground up oyster shell that we spread on the screens. The average set rate is about 20 percent, so with 1 million larvae you’ll end up with about 200,000 spat—the name for tiny oysters. Twice a day, I feed them algae and very gently wash them; it’s like having little babies!

When they’re big enough, we move the larvae to our upwelling tanks, which allows them to feed on the algae and nutrients in the unfiltered bay water. After about six to eight weeks, they’re ready to hand off to fishermen who place them in bags or cages in the bay, and then do a lot of rotating, sorting, and thinning to help them grow. In another nine to 14 months, the oysters are ready for market.

Q: What made you decide to create an oyster nursery here?

A: When I was growing up here, the Willis Brothers’ Seafood building, what we used to just call Elmer’s clam house, was the center of business for eastern Carteret County, and an anchor for the community. After Elmer’s death in 1977, the building changed hands a few times and eventually became a dilapidated eyesore. The building was back on the market in 2015, and after three attempts, I finally had a contract. But I had no idea what to do with the building. I wanted to help the people and economy here and I learned that oyster farmers in North Carolina were having difficulty getting seed. My dad was a diesel engineer and commercial fisherman and, knowing how difficult that is, I really wanted to help the local fishermen do what they love. So my husband Robert and I decided on an oyster nursery.

When I began college in 1970, my plan was to be a marine biologist. However, I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1971 and really couldn’t be out on the water. We didn’t even have glucose monitors back then. So I majored in biology and chemistry. And now, at 67, I’m getting to do what I wanted to do as a kid. And my son, John, and his wife, Adrianna, are our business partners. So, this is truly a family-owned and -operated business.

Q: It sounds like you have a strong connection to the history here

A: Yes, I remember fishermen unloading their catch on the docks behind the clam house. Women would shuck clams and scallops from early morning to early evening. I’ve often heard that in the 1940s, 5,000 gallons of clams were shipped out every week, trucked all over the country.

When we bought the building, I wanted to do something to honor the rich fishing heritage of our community. One idea I had was a mural. Then I met LaNelle (Davis), a mosaic artist, who recreated a photograph from the 1950s of women shucking clams here. To make the mosaic, she used dishes donated by family members of some of the people who worked here and clam shells reclaimed from our property. Folks from all over stop to admire LaNelle’s work. The community has been grateful for us bringing the building back to life and for honoring our heritage with the mural.

Q: What are the benefits of growing oysters?

A: Oysters are filter feeders, constantly cleaning the water and providing a healthier environment for marine life. Oyster reefs create habitats for marine life and help protect the coast from storms. Oyster farming provides local jobs and allows fishermen to continue doing what they love while providing healthy, local food.

Q: What’s going on in North Carolina right now when it comes to oysters?

A: The coast of North Carolina was hit hard by hurricanes Florence and Dorian. I hope people see oysters as a way to help protect the coast. Also, North Carolina is the sixth state in the nation to join the National Shellfish Initiative, run by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The initiative prioritizes job creation, protection of water quality, protection of shellfish health, and sustainable management. And a Strategic Mariculture Plan, recently approved by the North Carolina General Assembly, charts a course to increase the state oyster industry from $7.5 million now to $100 million by 2030.

It’s an exciting time to be involved with our community and the growth of the oyster industry. I hope we can make some small contribution to move this worthwhile effort forward.

HARKERS ISLAND — Rolling into the New Year, officials at Cape Lookout National Seashore, in conjunction with the Crystal Coast Stargazers Club, will pursue the park’s designation as an International Dark Sky Park.

This designation from the International Dark Sky Association, or IDSA, is a process that involves planning and documenting the exceptional starry nights and the nocturnal environment that is preserved and protected for public enjoyment.

“The economic and recreational opportunities for the local community and visitors to our region will benefit in a number of ways,” said Chief of Interpretation and Education B.G. Horvat. “Plus, when you have the milky way visible above, that’s a cool resource not only to behold, but an awesome responsibility worthy of preservation for future generations to enjoy.”

The Crystal Coast Stargazers Club is a Carteret County-based organization of over 50 amateur stargazers and astrophotographers.

“Our group is excited about working for Cape Lookout National Seashore’s certification. We already offer outreach programs for the public at Cape Lookout, and we look forward to expanding those offerings and increasing public events under the beautiful dark skies!” said Davis Heflin, the Crystal Coast Stargazers Club Coordinator.

Currently, there are more than 80 dark sky parks across the United States, with only one designated park in North Carolina, the Mayland Earth to Sky Park & Bare Dark Sky Observatory in Spruce Pines.

International Dark Sky Park certification promotes public education and astronomy-based recreation in parks, while improving energy efficiency and reduced operational costs through outdoor lighting upgrades that create economic opportunities for neighboring communities through astronomy-based tourism.

The application process takes about a year, and involves inventory and planning for lightscape management with the park, garnering support from the local community and other government agencies to conserve dark skies throughout the area, while providing the IDSA with brightness measurements and night images from various areas of the national seashore.

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island has been certified as a N.C. Green Travel destination, designating it among sites in the state that have achieved sustainability goals to reduce energy use, landfill waste and overall impact on the environment.

The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality administers the N.C. Green Travel Program, and issued the certification following an application process and visit to the aquarium.

“We are so happy to have the Aquarium in our program. You are doing a fantastic job with your sustainability efforts.” said N.C. Green Travel Program Manager Tom Rhodes in a letter to the aquarium. “We enjoyed our tour of the facility and were pleasantly surprised to see all the sustainable practices you have put in place.”

The aquarium achieved a ranking of three “Dogwood Blossoms,” the highest level awarded by the program. It joins the North Carolina Aquariums at Fort Fisher and Pine Knoll Shores, as well as Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head on the list of Green Travel destinations.

Green initiatives highlighted in the aquarium application include onsite recycling for guests and employees, water and electricity use monitoring, LED lights and timers, exhibits made with recycled materials, onsite composting and a pollinator garden.

“As advocates for our natural surroundings and the health of aquatic environments, decreasing our impact is a huge priority for us as an organization,” said NCARI Director Larry Warner. “This kind of recognition not only confirms we are on the right track, but also highlights some new opportunities in which to move our sustainability initiatives.”

The aquarium’s sustainability initiatives are led by its Green Team, a committee made up of members from multiple departments that has implemented positive steps like cigarette butt recycling, reduction of paper usage, and collection of unwanted items for donation to thrift stores. Additionally, two employees sit on the N.C. Aquariums Sustainability Committee which charts goals for green initiatives across the aquarium division.

The aquarium is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is dedicated to the mission of “Inspiring appreciation and conservation of our aquatic environments.” Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Learn more

• ncaquariums.com/roanoke-island

From Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum

One never knows what will be uncovered on the Outer Banks beaches. This month, it was a wreck on the beach directly across from the Wreck Tiki Bar and Food in Hatteras Village.

Charlie Hornfeck from the restaurant, named after his passion for wrecks, came across the fascinating wreckage this month about 136 years after the “possible” ship stranded about a mile and a half south of Durant’s Station near Hatteras Inlet.

He photographed the wreck, with his photos appearing online in state and national papers. Assistant State Archaeologist Nathan Henry with North Carolina’s Underwater Archaeology Branch says the wreckage may have come from Dulcimer, an English bark that stranded at half past 5 in the morning Feb. 12, 1883, due to foggy weather.

“Our office has been monitoring shipwrecks on the Outer Banks since the 1970s, but as the dunes erode newly exposed shipwreck fragments appear,” Henry wrote in a recent email.

“This is one of them. Keep in mind, one ship breaking up on the outer bar could and did produce many fragments, some of them immense.” Henry targets this ship as the possible origin of the wreckage due to where it washed up as well as its construction.

“Just looking at the gross construction, it is obvious a tremendous number of iron fasteners were used to hold the components together,” he says. “This suggests ship construction techniques common in the later 19th and early 20th century. During this period commercial wooden vessels were becoming much larger to accommodate greater cargoes.

The larger vessels, while being more efficient were pushing the limits for which wooden vessels could be built and still be structurally sound. Liberal use of iron and wooden fasteners was one answer to this issue. Building ships solely from iron and steel alleviated those constraints.”

The United States Lifesaving Service Report of 1883 states that the ship, bound from Pernambuco, Brazil to New York, with a cargo of sugar, was discovered at 6 a.m. by the station patrol.

The crew of 11 commanded by Capt. McDowell, were rescued using the Lyle gun and breeches buoy. The ship was turned over to the wreckers who were engaged in stripping her. The seas became worse in the afternoon and the four men in the wrecking crew had to be rescued from the ship using one of the bark’s boats.

“Is the wreck fragment on the beach at Hatteras from Dulcimer?” asked Henry. “Maybe. If not, the scenario was probably equally dramatic and hopefully the lifesavers were equally successful.”

David Stick, author of “Graveyard of the Atlantic, Shipwrecks of the North Carolina Coast,” noted in his book that the site of the wreck has long been considered a great spot on the Atlantic coast for catching channel bass. He suggested that all that melting sugar from the cargo possibly sweetened the water.

SOUTHPORT — The North Carolina Maritime Museum here will begin Monday a free, monthly hurricane series to address all aspects of storm planning and recovery.

Originally planned as a one-time event, Education Curator Katy Menne and Museum Director Lori Sanderlin began planning for a hurricane-focused town hall and then quickly realized how much important information there was to share with the community.

“When we got to the end of our list, we realized it was going to take too long to cover all of it,” Menne said.

The museum’s six-month series parallels the stages of hurricane impact: preparing for a storm, living through one, recovery and reflection.

The first program in the series, Hurricane Huddle, is from 5 to 7 p.m. June 24 at the Southport Community Building, 223 E. Bay St.

“The first is the biggest: things to do before a storm has even formed,” Menne said.

Officials from agencies including the state Department of Public Safety, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office, Red Cross and the Southport Police and Fire departments will be there to offer guidance for current and for future hurricane seasons. The new Southport Animal Protective Services will also be on hand with information on registering your pets and protecting them during storms.

“We are trying to make sure it’s city, county and state officials for the largest reach as possible,” Menne said. “We are trying to bring as many people in the field as possible.

“As we move through the season, we get more specific.”

Hurricane Help 5-7 p.m. July 29 in the Southport Community Center will bring in experts from the state Office of Archives and History in Raleigh to share advice on caring for important papers and heirlooms in the face of storms and on protecting them in general.

Are meteorologists and news anchors will offer a behind-the-scenes look at tracking storms and keeping the community informed during Hidden Hurricane from 5 to 7 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Southport Community Center.

Hands on Hurricanes will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 14 at the museum and offers a sneak preview of some of the interactive aspects of the updated “Deadly Dozen” hurricane exhibit. That updated exhibit, which includes first-hand accounts of storms past, officially debuts as part of the Horrific Hazel portion of the hurricane series at the museum on Oct. 12, just days shy of the 65th anniversary of Hurricane Hazel’s landfall. The exhibit is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The series wraps up with Hurricane Headache 5-7 p.m. Nov. 25 in the Southport Community Building, featuring a panel presentation with professional restoration and recovery personnel offering tips and advice on moving forward after a storm.

“This has been done, not in this capacity, but the community typically does something like this,” Menne said. “But it’s not been done in a couple of years. We’re excited to be able to help the public out.”

For more information on the series or museum, call 910-477-5150 or visit the website.

HATTERAS — There’s a simple reason museum educator Mary Ellen Riddle has scheduled a series of hurricane talks at the Graveyard of the Atlantic.

“It’s the season,” she said, referring to hurricane season that runs from June 1 to Nov. 30.

The museum, 59200 Museum Drive, will host Documenting Disaster: Weather Dictates the Way of Island Life Hurricane Talk Series 11-11:45 a.m. June 20, July 18 and Aug. 15.

The three talks will feature photographer Daniel Pullen discussing what goes into documenting nor’easters and hurricanes, how the weather events demonstrate the power of nature and the strength of the coastal communities that live in their wake.

“I’ve had weather talks, but not three in a row by one person who’s a local photojournalist,” Riddle said.

She said the idea for the series grew out of discussions with Pullen in preparation for his “Endangered Community: The Independent Waterman Project” photo exhibit currently on display at the museum.

She said she was eager to continue collaborating with Pullen because of his skill behind the lens.

“His work is arresting. Just visually, it has all the hallmarks of a great photograph,” Riddle said.

Part of that impact is being immersed in the community he captures. He has been one of the people on the ground who help keep the community informed post-storm, Riddle said.

It’s an important role, she added, “He’s recording history.”

“I was talking (recently) about how grateful we are to have Daniel,” she said. “He’s been doing this for a while. He’s kind of a go-to guy here.”

Learn More

• Area Photographer Focuses On Storytelling

From the North Carolina Maritime Museum

BEAUFORT — Teaching is one thing, says North Carolina Maritime Museum Natural Science Curator Keith Rittmaster. But telling a story — that’s what makes learning easier and more engaging.

“I’ve been at this 30 years,” Rittmaster said. “I’ve got a whole lot of stories.”

Rittmaster is one of the speakers scheduled at the fourth annual North Carolina Whales and Whaling Symposium, an event that focuses on the whales found in our coastal waters, historic hunting practices, marine mammal conservation and other related topics. The symposium will be held April 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Carolina Maritime Museum, 315 Front St. The program is free and open to the public. Advance registration is not required.

“This symposium has been very popular,” Rittmaster said. “I think it’s fun too.”

A shared interest in marine mammals led to the symposium’s creation in 2016, according to John Hairr, the museum’s education coordinator, who worked with Rittmaster in developing the museum’s most unique and innovative educational program.

Hairr’s focus includes the history of whaling in North Carolina while Rittmaster is drawn to current biology and conservation.

“We sort of complement each other,” Hairr said.

So it was natural that they would incorporate their combined expertise into the day-long programming.

“We just started the symposium to show off some of the cutting-edge marine mammal research being done in the region, as well as communicate about the region’s deep history in whaling and the porpoise fishery,” Hairr explained.

The program will feature educators, biologists, environmentalists and historians giving presentations regarding whales and whaling that are appropriate for all audiences. There will also be displays showcasing marine mammal bones, teeth, baleen, oils and skeletons.

“We like putting things in people’s hands when we can,” Rittmaster said.

The program starts each year with his presentation. For those who have attended previously, he said he’ll have new photos and new information about some of the 34 species of whales currently found off the coast of North Carolina.

“That’s more than any other state in the country,” Rittmaster said. “North Carolina has high diversity.”

He’ll also provide an update on the endangered right whale. So far this year, there have been three births reported and it’s still calving season — a welcome change from 2017-2018 when 18 deaths were confirmed and then, in 2018, no births.

As part of his presentation, Rittmaster also makes a point of addressing the threats facing marine mammals — such as military sonar activities, seismic testing, marine debris, fishing gear, ship strikes, and other hazards — and what can be done to counter them.

“We’ve got a whole lot to lose,” he said. “But there’s something we can do about that.

“And the public can be involved.”

For more information on the 2019 North Carolina Whales and Whaling Symposium or other programs and events at the North Carolina Maritime Museum, visit ncmaritimemuseumbeaufort.com or call 252-504-7740.

Symposium Schedule

• 10 a.m. Introduction
• 10:05 a.m. Whales of North Carolina. Rittmaster will give an overview of the many species of whales seen in North Carolina waters.
• 11 a.m. Lt. James Waddell and the CSS Shenandoah’s Raid Against the Whalers. Hairr will examine the exploits of North Carolinian Lt. James Waddell and his raid against New England whalers operating in the Pacific during the final days of the War Between the States.
• 1 p.m. The Mysterious Lives of Cuvier’s Beaked Whales off Cape Hatteras. Duke University Marine Laboratory Research Scientist Danielle Waples will speak about the research she and her colleagues have been doing with Cuvier’s beaked whales offshore of Cape Hatteras.
• 2 p.m. Smithsonian Curator A. Remington Kellogg (1892 – 1869), A Seminal Figure in Marine Mammal Science and Conservation. Collection Manager of Marine Mammals at the Smithsonian Institution John Ososky will speak about Smithsonian curator Remington Kellogg who made great scientific advances in the study of living and fossil marine mammals.
• 3 p.m. Hatteras Dolphins on Display. Museum Associate Curator Benjamin Wunderly will discuss the details surrounding the capture of live dolphins off Hatteras Island and how they would be displayed in the New York Aquarium. Wunderly’s presentation will examine some of the shore-based dolphin harvesting operations that occurred along North Carolina’s coast for over 100 years.

Reprinted from the Outer Banks Voice

Near the confluence of Salmon Creek and Albemarle Sound in Bertie County, archaeologists continue to uncover artifacts that may reveal clues to the 400-year mystery of the Lost Colony of Roanoke Island.

Thanks to the recent purchase of nearly 1,000 acres by the Coastal Land Trust, this land and its natural, historic, archaeological and cultural significance will be protected.

The property, which is the subject of archaeological research by The First Colony Foundation and is referred to as “Site X,” hosts a variety of significant archaeological resources.

Algonquian Indian artifacts have been found on the site. English artifacts attributable to the period and indicative of settlement by the Roanoke colonists have also been found, which some researchers say could be evidence that a group of survivors from the colony relocated to this area after leaving Roanoke Island in the late 1580s.

The 1,000 acres acquired by the Coastal Land Trust also features 3.5 miles of frontage along Salmon Creek, floodplain forests of cypress-gum swamp and bottomland hardwood forest, along with tidal freshwater marsh recognized as ecologically significant by the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program.

“This is the most ambitious and exciting project in the Coastal Land Trust’s history,” said Camilla Herlevich, the trust’s executive director.

“The property was previously permitted for a 2,800-unit development and a 212-slip marina,” Herlevich said. “We greatly appreciate the financing for today’s purchase, made possible with a loan from The Conservation Fund that will be repaid with public and private funding.”

“Additional funding was provided by a grant from the Enviva Forest Conservation Fund,” said Herlevich. “Now, we must raise more than $5 million in the months to come to ensure that these irreplaceable lands and resources can be turned over to North Carolina State Parks to allow generations to come to enjoy them.”

“This project is well worth the efforts by the Coastal Land Trust. It enhances and supports the county commissioners’ commitment to protect the Albemarle Sound waterfront and to encourage ecotourism,” said Bertie County Manager Scott Sauer.

Once all funds needed to repay the loan have been raised, the Coastal Land Trust will transfer the property to North Carolina’s Division of Parks and Recreation for management as the Salmon Creek State Natural Area.

Legislation authorizing creation of the new state natural area was enacted this summer by the N.C. General Assembly. Until that time, the land is subject to a farm and hunt leases and is closed to the public.

“The Salmon Creek area stands out due to its unique archaeological resources, its rich cultural history, and its truly pristine ecosystems,” said Mike Murphy, director of N.C. State Parks. “We are so grateful that the Coastal Land Trust is protecting this land so that it can become a state natural area in Bertie County, a beautiful part of our state that is currently under served by the North Carolina State Parks system.”

This story is provided courtesy of the Outer Banks Voice, a digital newspaper covering the Outer Banks. Coastal Review Online is partnering with the Voice to provide readers with more environmental and lifestyle stories of interest about our coast. 

Reprinted from Outer Banks Voice

A new artificial reef to be built 8 miles south of the Oregon Inlet sea buoy has been funded by a grant from the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries.

Through the sale of coastal recreational fishing licenses, a two-year grant in the amount of $882,000 was awarded to the Oregon Inlet Artificial Reef Committee for the construction of AR-165.

In addition to fishing licenses money, local matching funds were donated by TW’s Bait & Tackle, Manteo Marine and Southern Bank. Local funding is still being sought and donations can be made through the website of the Outer Banks Anglers Club.

Prior to beginning reef construction, all state and federal permits must be obtained. A Coastal Area Management Act major permit is expected to be issued within the next few weeks. It is anticipated that federal permits will follow thereafter, although the exact time period is unknown.

The initial reef construction will consist of one ship about 100-140 feet in length. The retired vessel will be towed to the reef site and sunk in place.

In addition to the ship, 2,000 tons of concrete material consisting of assorted concrete pipe ranging in size from 36- to 76-inches in diameter and 8-feet in length will be used in the construction of AR-165.

The concrete will be barged to the reef site and deployed as directed by a North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries Artificial Reef Group representative.

Second-year plans call for an additional 6,000 tons of concrete material and possibly another ship, if funding allows.

No material from the demolition of the Bonner Bridge will be used on this new reef. That debris is all scheduled to be used to enhance four older reefs in the vicinity of Oregon Inlet.

For more information, visit www.outerbanksanglersclub.com and click on the link to the Oregon Inlet Artificial Reef Committee.

This story is provided courtesy of the Outer Banks Voice, a digital newspaper covering the Outer Banks. Coastal Review Online is partnering with the Voice to provide readers with more environmental and lifestyle stories of interest about our coast.

From a Coastal Studies Institute announcement and reprinted from the Outer Banks Voice

RODANTHE – A team of East Carolina University graduate students led by Nathan Richards, head of the University of North Carolina Coastal Studies Institute’s Maritime Heritage Program, has identified the Pappy’s Lane shipwreck in the Pamlico Sound near Rodanthe as a type of World War II troop transport.

The shipwreck was determined eligible in 2016 for the National Register of Historic Places for its information potential through consultations between the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Archaeology Group and the State Historic Preservation Office.

Directly in the path of the planned Bonner Bridge extension project, the shipwreck, nicknamed after a small road in Rodanthe, remained a mystery for years, with local oral history suggesting it was a gravel barge that ran aground in the 1960s. Because the vessel is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 requires an archaeological investigation before the planned construction project proceeds.  Also, researchers believe that the site has separate historical, archaeological, interpretative and educational significance, including the opportunity for ECU graduate students to train in archaeological techniques and historical research.

While evidence supports a connection between its loss and the construction of roads on the Outer Banks in the 1960s, archaeological details suggest a very different original function.

With the support of the North Carolina Department of Transportation, Richards, an associate professor with the Program in Maritime Studies at ECU, worked with nine graduate students in a month-long field school at the Wanchese-based institute to assess the site’s historical significance prior to construction of the bridge.

“We began the field school armed with a significant amount of historical information about late nineteenth and early twentieth century ship types,” said Richards, who has been investigating the shipwreck since 2010.

“We soon realized that the ship had a welded steel hull, and what we thought were rivets was some other diagnostic trait,” said Richards. “Towards the end of the third week of field work, the evidence that the Pappy’s Lane Wreck was actually a military vessel became increasingly clear.”

Due to the lack of historical leads, archaeological recording was the driving force of discovery on the project. Richards and the graduate students spent nearly every day in September, weather permitting, on the site of the shipwreck recording the wreck and producing a map far more detailed than any before it.

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources Underwater Archaeology Branch, which issued one of the permits for the project, recommended limited archaeological excavation of the stern and three cross-sections, allowing the team to determine the shape of the hull and other details about the vessel’s construction.

It was the first project that Richards had dredged in 10 years. Dredging reveals more of the wreck, but also exposes it to oxygen and other conditions that can result in degradation. That’s why dredging is used only on a limited basis.

After mapping the site and dredging targeted areas, Richards and his students were able to match the stern and other details to two related classes of World War II gunboats, Landing Craft Infantry, or LCI, and Landing Craft Support, or LCS, vessels.

These watercraft, each built to the same blueprints but with some modifications, were introduced late into the Pacific Theater of World War II. Designed for amphibious warfare, they were used to land and support troops on enemy beaches. With crews of 71 men, LCIs and LCSs supported landings in the Philippines, Borneo, Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

These ships’ stories did not end when the war did. While most LCIs and LCSs were either scrapped or stayed in the Pacific for minesweeping and other duties, many were transferred to foreign fleets, such as France, Vietnam and Japan, to rebuild allied militaries destroyed in the war.

They served less than two years for the United States during World War II but some spent more than two decades in the South Vietnamese Navy, serving as its first real warships.

By the 1980s, most were sold, scrapped or converted to commercial fishing boats, leaving a single surviving LCS in the Thai navy, which ultimately returned to the United States as a floating museum in 2007.

Further research is needed to identity the specific type, name and individual story of the Pappy’s Lane shipwreck. The time between its possible tenure in the Pacific Ocean and its life as an unassuming shipwreck in the Pamlico Sound spans decades, leaving much to uncover.

“We did not expect to find an American amphibious assault vessel lying in Pamlico Sound, so our research is continuing,” said Richards.

“We certainly appreciate the assistance of North Carolina’s Department of Transportation and Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to fully explore the historical and archaeological significance of the wreck, and hope to shed more light on the vessel by the end of the year,” Richards said.

Learn More

• UNC Coastal Studies Institute
• NCDOT Bonner Bridge Replacement Project