Capt. Gordon Churchill, Coastal Review’s new fishing columnist and longtime guide on the North Carolina coast, shares his list of responses to that familiar question this time of year.
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Researchers eye alternative energy to power state ferries
The North Carolina Ferry Division and university researchers are studying possible ways for alternative energy to power the state’s 21 ferries.
‘Oystering the old way’ exhibit new to Waterfowl Weekend
A new exhibit showing traditional oyster-harvesting methods is on display, just in time for the annual Waterfowl Weekend set for Friday through Sunday at the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center on Harkers Island.
What’s on the line? Spotted seatrout, aka ‘speckled trout’
Spotted seatrout, commonly known as speckled trout, can be found in coastal and estuarine waters from Massachusetts along the U.S. Atlantic Coast to as far south as the Yucatan Peninsula.
Feral hogs slow recovery of damaged salt marshes: study
A new study finds that the invasive species significantly slows the pace a salt marsh can adapt to climate change-related issues such as drought and sea level rise.
An Outer Banks reporter walks into a global climate summit
Longtime Coastal Review correspondent Catherine Kozak recently attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP26, where attendees seemed to know little about coastal North Carolina, despite the significant climate perils facing this part of the world.
Years of flood disasters drove NC’s new resiliency funding
After years of climate disasters across North Carolina, the newly approved state budget includes hundreds of millions of dollars for new programs and initiatives to address flooding and bolster resilience to storms.
Coastal Habitat Protection Plan 2021 amendment approved
The Coastal Habitat Protection Plan’s 2021 amendment to the 2016 plan has been unanimously approved by the Coastal Resources, Environmental Management and Marine Fisheries commissions.
Mullet fishermen: A journey from Carteret County to Florida
The Florida fishing village known as Cortez has long been populated by folks with surnames that have for even longer been associated with the Bogue Sound area of North Carolina.
How to coexist with North Carolina’s wild foxes, coyotes
As more foxes and coyotes are spotted in developed coastal communities, Wildlife Resources Commission officials remind residents the importance of coexisting with these animals.
Storm drain sensors show more frequent nuisance flooding
“We’ve already started seeing how coastal communities are experiencing flooding more often than they were before and especially on sunny days, outside of storm events when tides are particularly high,” says UNC researcher Miyuki Hino.
Estuaries, though small, have huge economic impact: report
These small areas where rivers mix with salt water in coastal regions contribute a significant amount to the country’s economy, according to a recent update to a decade-old report on the economics of estuaries.
Feds withdraw plan to scale back red wolf protections in NC
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service cited recent court decisions and public comments about the 2018 proposal to remove most private land in the 1.7-million-acre recovery area in Hyde, Tyrrell, Dare, Beaufort and Washington counties.
Duke to study offshore wind energy’s effects on marine life
With a recently announced $7.5 million federal grant, Duke University is leading a research project to better understand how offshore wind development can affect marine species.
Recognition of migratory fish’s value predates colonization
Migratory fish have long played a significant role in the recreational and commercial fisheries that contribute to the economy of North Carolina and their value was recognized long before European settlement, but overfishing has taken a toll in more recent times.
Leadership, action needed to reduce plastic pollution
“Our coast is quite literally our lifeline. And it is being increasingly sabotaged by plastic. So why aren’t our businesses and policy-makers doing something about it? ” writes Oceana’s Randy Sturgill.
