Coastal recreational anglers are questioning the fairness and motive of a new law requiring them and commercial fishermen to report certain harvests to the state starting this year.
Spotlight
Recent whale deaths unfortunate, not alarming: Scientists
Researchers say the stranded whales that washed ashore in quick succession earlier this year “may just be an unfortunate statistical anomaly” and were unrelated to offshore wind development.
Street inundation linked to elevated bacteria in creek: Study
N.C. State researchers found elevated levels of fecal bacteria in water samples collected from a tidal creek in Beaufort and town streets following rainfall.
Measure would order restored protection for Jockey’s Ridge
Sen. Bobby Hanig has proposed language that would direct the Coastal Resources Commission to implement its longstanding rule protecting Jockey’s Ridge until the commission can adopt a permanent rule that again defines the massive dune as an area of environmental concern.
Commission adopts amended rule for Jockey’s Ridge
The Coastal Resources Commission unanimously approved on Thursday a revised rule to be returned along with a supporting letter from the state geologist to the board that objected to the longstanding protective designation for Jockey’s Ridge.
Hearing set on new fishing catch reporting requirement
Coastal recreational and commercial fishermen will have to report certain fish harvests under a new North Carolina law that takes effect later this year.
Rouzer’s bill loosening sand-mining rule clears US House
A bill introduced by Rep. David Rouzer would allow barely a handful of East Coast beach towns to continue using sand from federally protected coastal zones for their nourishment projects — a measure the Audubon Society opposes.
Timbermill Wind turbine parts en route to Chowan County
Massive wind turbine components that arrived recently at the state port in Morehead City are on their way to Timbermill Wind’s 6,300-acre, 45-turbine onshore energy facility currently under construction near Edenton.
Proposed rules address possible Microcystis bloom sources
The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing revisions to nutrient discharge standards for meat and poultry processors’ wastewater, a potential source of mysterious blooms in the Cape Fear River a decade ago.
Black River advocacy group set to hold inaugural meeting
The newly formed Friends of the Black River will host its first meeting Tuesday, an effort to build an alliance of organizations and people interested in helping protect the 60-mile-long natural wonder.
Ocracoke festival aims to keep alive carving traditions
Organizers are putting the final touches on the sixth annual Ocracoke Island Waterfowl Festival scheduled for the third weekend of April in the Ocracoke School gymnasium.
State transportation planning conference heads to New Bern
The 2024 state MPO conference theme is “Gridlock to Green Lanes Transforming Urban Transportation.”
State wildlife officials seek volunteers to tally terrapins
With a little training, a kayak and a smartphone app, coastal North Carolina residents can join the 10th annual “Terrapin Tally,” a count that helps researchers assess the elusive marsh dwellers’ status.
Anti-regulation sentiment may be fueling insurance crisis
With the N.C. Homebuilders Association’s influence over the legislature, steps toward resilience that Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey and others say should be taken have been rejected, contributing to coverage chaos for property owners.
NC scientists receive tools for tracking new compounds
Researchers at North Carolina universities that are part of the PFAS Testing Network are now equipped to trace unregistered chemical pollutants back to the source of emission.
Author documents investment fraud involving Buffalo City
Buffalo City, a now-abandoned Dare County logging town notorious for moonshine production during Prohibition, also featured in a huge life insurance company fraud case in the 1910s, author and retired forester Bill Barber has revealed.
