The new coalition is to defend and protect the state’s commercial fishing fleet and industry and was spawned by the recent fight over shrimp trawling in North Carolina’s inland and nearshore coastal waters.
Spotlight
First turtle patrol beach sweep nets 120 pounds of trash
More than 120 pounds of trash, predominately plastics, were picked up off Holden Beach’s ocean shore during the Holden Beach Turtle Patrol’s first beach sweep.
Global wetlands loss strips trillions in economic benefits
An intergovernmental report concludes that if the world’s wetlands continue to vanish and deteriorate it may equate to tens of trillions in economic loss.
Report: State needs more fisheries scientists to meet goals
The mandated study of North Carolina’s fisheries management practices finds that the state, despite increasingly intense management measures, is failing to protect and enhance coastal fisheries, and it includes no recommendation on trawling.
The Longleaf Alliance seeks areas to harvest pine cone crops
Because of the anticipated seed shortage that comes with a low estimate of pine cone crops for the third consecutive year, the nonprofit Longleaf Alliance is scouting for potential low-density stands of mature longleaf pines to harvest seeds in the fall.
Commission asks to use county dredge in emergency channel
The Dare County Waterways Commission has voted unanimously to request county commissioners pursue permitting the Miss Katie dredge to maintain the troublesome Rodanthe-Stumpy Point emergency ferry channel for Hatteras Island.
Work at Navassa Kerr-McGee site to take longer than planned
Crews have found “an extensive amount” of debris, including unanticipated contamination, meaning more cleanup time is needed for a 16-acre unit of the federal Superfund site long home to a wood-treatment operation.
Water finds your weakness: Louisiana’s lessons for Down East
Former Coastal Review editor Frank Tursi recently joined Core Sound Museum Director Karen Amspacher and others on a trip to start a conversation with those who live where levees gave way and homes flooded during Hurricane Katrina 20 years ago.
Construction commences on Dare early college building
Officials this week marked the start of construction of a $21-$25 million structure to house the Dare County Early College on the College of the Albemarle’s Manteo campus.
How coastal Carolina shaped 20th-century poet AR Ammons
A.R. Ammons, the heralded, mid-20th century poet was known as “Archie” during his formative years working the family farm in Columbus County.
Federal cuts lead to unease for state’s wildlife refuges
Amid dramatic funding cuts, leaders of the nonprofits that support national wildlife refuges in the northeastern part of the state fear what’s ahead for these protected lands.
Brunswick Nuclear Plant sirens to be tested Wednesday
County officials in Brunswick and New Hanover counties will test all 38 outdoor warning sirens within a 10-mile radius of the Brunswick Nuclear Plant on Wednesday.
Spotted seatrout harvest season now open
New rules have been implemented for the spotted seatrout harvest season, which opened earlier this week in inland and joint fishing waters.
Shrimp fry to honor local, western NC first responders
The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center on Harkers Island is giving special recognition during its annual Fourth of July shrimp fry Saturday to the Crystal Coast Water Rescue Team that helped during Helene response in late 2024 and the Black Mountain Fire Department.
Woodard pens letter to Senate leader on roots of ‘Shrimpgate’
Dare County Board of Commissioners Chairman Bob Woodard sent a letter June 30 to Senate Leader Phil Berger expressing “deep concern” about the last-minute changes to the two House bills that resulted in last week’s “Shrimpgate” protests.
Hearing on mandated wetland redefinition draws no support
Those who spoke Thursday during a public hearing in Raleigh urged the Environmental Management Commission to work with legislators to rescind the amendment narrowing state protections.
