Friday, March 31, 2006

NC's Highest Civilian Honor for Big Rock Founder

After a lifetime of promoting coastal civic projects, this Monday in Beaufort Carolina Outdoors columnist Bob Simpson will be inducted into the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian honor. Mr. Simpson's influence on today's Outer Banks and the Crystal Coast is absolutely undeniable. During the 1960's he was instrumental in building support for the creation of the Cape Lookout National Seashore and even provided the first tours to politicians in his WWII amphibious vehicle. He later worked with a group known as "The Fabulous Fishermen of Morehead City" to found the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. His wife, Mary, even went door to door to raise a $300 inaugural tournament purse from local businesses. The Skippers' Roster Memorial in Morehead City, a tribute to charter captains with 10 years on local waters, is also thanks to him. Past inductees to the Order of the Long Leaf Pine include Charles Kuralt, Maya Angelou, Rev. Billy Graham, William C. Friday, poet Fred Chappell, and artist Bob Timberlake. Please join us in congratulating and thanking Bob Simpson. More on the award is available from the News & Observer.

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Thursday, March 30, 2006

Final OBX Whale Beaching Report Doesn't Rule Out Sonar

The January 2005 beaching of 36 whales on the Outer Banks has been a hot topic of debate, especially in light of all the controversy surrounding the Navy's proposed offshore sonar range. After a year of investigation and examination of the whales' remains, the final report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was released this week but did not determine a definitive cause. No biological problems were found that could have lead to the beaching. Even more puzzling was that 3 different species of whales beached in 3 locations within hours of each other. 33 pilot whales beached themselves near Oregon Inlet, a minke whale came ashore in Corolla, and 2 dwarf sperm whales beached near Cape Hatteras. The report also revealed that the Navy had been testing sonar for two days only 54 nautical miles offshore just prior to the beaching. The details on this report are pretty interesting and while NOAA doesn't blame the Navy, the vast majority of other potential causes have now been ruled out. More on the beaching report is available from the News & Observer and the Outer Banks Sentinel.

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Sunday, March 26, 2006

New ATV Regulations for Core Banks Surf Fishermen

Outer Banks surf fishermen who enjoy using ATVs to haul all their gear on Core Banks will have new regulations waiting for them this spring. The Cape Lookout National Seashore, which includes north and south Core Banks, has implemented several new safety regulations for all ATV riders. These new rules include requiring all ATV users to wear eye protection and a DOT approved helmet at all times. Passengers will also only be permitted on models that are specifically designed for two people. Other traditional mainland regulations will also now be enforced on Core Banks such as requiring a full set of lights for night operation and fully functional brakes, muffler, and spark arrester. The new national seashore requirements also include all drivers to be over 16 with valid drivers' licenses. While these regulations are more stringent, anglers should appreciate continued Outer Banks ATV access. Cape Hatteras National Seashore hasn't allowed ATV use for a long time. Just be sure to plan ahead, it will make your trip a lot smoother and might save you a fine. More information on the new regulations is available from the News & Observer and from the Cape Lookout National Seashore website.

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Friday, March 24, 2006

Outer Banks' Oldest Fishing Pier Being Rebuilt

Originally built by Walton Jennette in 1939, Jennette's Pier is the oldest on the Outer Banks. Although the pier has been damaged and rebuilt numerous times over the decades, the 540 feet destroyed by Hurricane Isabel in 2003 had left the pier's future in doubt. Now it seems Jennette's Pier will be rebuilt once more. The North Carolina Aquarium Society has raised $18 million in revenue bonds to fund the pier reconstruction project, expansions to the Roanoke Island Aquarium and additional storm water management enhancements. The high price tag for the reconstruction is due to plans to make the new pier as storm-proof as possible. The entire pier will be based on the design of Mercer's Pier in Wrightsville's Beach and built entirely of steel reinforced concrete. The final version of Jennette's Pier will be 1,000 feet long, include a two story pier house and two large aquarium tanks to display fish species of the Outer Banks. NC Aquarium Society Vice President Mark Joyner is quoted as saying, "We want this pier to stand as an icon on the North Carolina coast - it's going to be like a fishing outpost on the beach." More on the reconstruction is available from the Outer Banks Sentinel and the Jennette's Pier website.

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Monday, March 20, 2006

NC DOT Building New Oyster Sanctuary

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has begun construction of a new five acre oyster sanctuary just north of the current Crab Hole Sanctuary (35° 43.595' N 75° 40.628' W) in the northern Pamlico Sound. While the NC DMF will assume responsibilities for the sanctuary once it is complete, the DOT is hauling over 8,000 tons of marine grade limestone to create the reef with one of its ferries. The project is expected to take five weeks to complete and will be a welcome addition to the current oyster sanctuaries. The area chosen for the sanctuary was once one of the most fertile oyster habitats on the entire North Carolina coast but was depleted due to over-harvesting. Once complete the new sanctuary will serve as a boost to the Pamlico Sound oyster population and to the local water quality as each oyster filters about 50 gallons of water a day. Be sure to check out the GPS coordinates for each sanctuary at the bottom of the NC DMF's list of current oyster sanctuaries, areas around oyster habitat are almost always good spots to find redfish, trout, and other inshore fish. More on the new oyster sanctuary is available from the Outer Banks Sentinel. Further information about the NC DMF's Oyster Sanctuary Program is available from their website.

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Sunday, March 19, 2006

NC DMF Plans Use of New Saltwater Fishing License Funds

Last week the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries unveiled a preliminary plan for how they will use funds generated from the new saltwater recreational fishing license. While the plan is still in its very early stages, spending is expected to be split into four categories: implementation of the coastal habitat protection plan; resource, habitat and access enhancement; improvement of data collection and science; and public education. This includes building additional artificial reefs, boat ramps, and new fishing piers. The saltwater recreational fishing license starts January 1st next year and the new projects will begin as funds become available. The new license is truly a blessing for North Carolina recreational fishermen. The additional revenue the NC DMF will generate and resulting projects and improved fisheries management data are exactly what our state needs to help preserve our fisheries. More on the NC DMF's plan is available from the Outer Banks Sentinel. Additional details on the new license for recreational saltwater fishing is available from the NC DMF.

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Friday, March 17, 2006

Boat Capsizes Off Oak Island; Four Dead

Six volunteer firefighters fishing out of Oak Island went in the water Wednesday when their 18 foot boat capsized near Lockwoods Folly Inlet, we are sad to have to say that only two made it home. Small craft advisories were in effect and winds were between 5 and 10 knots with 1 to 2 foot seas. Sometime around noon their vessel capsized, leaving all six clinging to the boat in 58 degree water. After a few hours in the water the fishermen decided to leave the boat and try to make the 1 1/2 mile swim to nearby Holden Beach. Two of the men made it to shore at 11PM and called 911, the bodies of the other four were found yesterday. The victims were identified as Michael Shope, 21, of Raleigh; Archibald "Arch" McFadyen, 20, of Raleigh; Nathan "Griff" Lyerly, 22, of Mooresville; and Kevin Bell, 37, of Banner Elk. The news was especially painful for the Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Department, where all the victims were volunteers and Bell is the son of Fire Chief Mickey Bell. While a nearby shoreline makes a tempting target in this situation, the Coast Guard insists that staying with an overturned vessel is your best chance to survive. North Carolina Coast Guard spokesman Mark Adams stated, "The biggest point here is to stay with the vessel as long as possible, because we found the boat before we found the persons. It's much easier to see six people on a white hulled vessel than in the open ocean." More on this tragic story is available from the News & Observer and the Charlotte Observer.

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Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Has Your Boat Been Recalled? Free Recall Notices From BoatUS

Used boats now account for over 70% of boat sales in the US and this has created an interesting problem for both boat owners and manufacturers. Federal law requires that all boat manufacturers recall and repair any vessel found to be in non-compliance with Coast Guard regulations or which contains a safety defect for a period of 10 years after the vessel was built. The trick part here is that most boats change hands a few times during their first 10 years and manufacturers are unable to notify new owners of the safety recalls. BoatUS has just launched an interesting new free service that allows owners to register their new or used boats so they can easily be contacted by manufacturers with important safety information and recalls. Do yourself and your passengers a favor and register your boat with BoatUS today, it's a easy way to avoid serious trouble on the water.

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Sunday, March 12, 2006

Triple S Pier Demolition Underway; Sportsmans Pier Sold

Deconstruction of the Triple S Pier in Atlantic Beach is underway and another of North Carolina's piers has fallen victim to the pressure from the coastal real estate boom. Despite the recent proposal from NC Sea Grant to protect existing coastal developments through economic assistance, it's a little too late for Triple S Pier. We're all going to miss this Atlantic Beach landmark and it seems now that another may soon be sharing its fate. Sportsmans Pier has also been recently sold, and while no one is certain of the pier's future, history seems to be repeating. More on the Triple S demolition is available from WCNT Greenville.

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Saturday, March 11, 2006

NC WRC Says No to River Herring Moratorium

First the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries declined to come to the aid of the severely overfished river herring, now it seems to be the NC Wildlife Resources Commission's turn. River herring have been under growing pressure of the last decade and have been fished way to hard to maintain a healthy population. As one of the foundations to the coastal food chain, depleted stocks of river herring cause strain on just about every other species. Rules now allow for possession of herring less than six inches in inland waterways. While this does allow fishermen to use live herring as bait for stripers, this decision is a major setback for the stock. The Coastal Conservation Association was also extremely critical of the decision and described it as "ludicrous". More on the river herring decision is available from the Outer Banks Sentinel.

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Friday, March 10, 2006

Outer Banks Seriously Threatened By Rising Seas

Outer Banks Overwash Photo courtesy of the USGS

A North Carolina legislative committee received a troubling forecast from East Carolina University geologist Stanley Riggs about the future of the Outer Banks. Riggs explained more about recent global warming numbers and the specific impact ongoing climate change will have on the Outer Banks and other NC beach communities. Average global temperatures rose just over one degree in the last hundred years and it appears that the average may increase several times that in the next century. With warmer temps you get rising seas and the current forecast calls for an 18 inch increase. One of Riggs' primary concerns was the potential geological damage that comes from the Outer Banks booming real estate development. Every luxury home, vacation rental home, and other new development that goes up destroys part of the natural defense characteristics of the islands. Dunes and vegetation are really all that separate North Carolina's Outer Banks from being only sandbars. Riggs also explained that rising sea levels also make the Outer Banks more exposed to dangers posed by larger hurricanes. While a powerful class 3 or 4 hurricane hasn't hit the Outer Banks head on since the 1950's, Riggs feels that one of that size could wipe away some of the more unstable islands. More on the Outer Banks and rising sea levels from the News and Observer. More details on the Climate Change legislative committee from the North Carolina General Assembly website.

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Sunday, March 05, 2006

Project Begins to Protect Cape Lookout Lighthouse

Beach erosion has always been a challenge to building on North Carolina's Outer Banks, who could ever forget the sight of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse on rails? While the erosion is no where near what threatened Hatteras, the Cape Lookout Lighthouse and the old keepers' quarters have been very exposed since Hurricane Isabel toppled some protective dunes in 2003. Water is now only about 40 feet from the visitor's center and just 200 feet to the lighthouse. The National Park Service will begin a $1 million pumping project this week to create an additional 50 to 75 foot beach area in front of the visitor's center. More on the Lookout beach nourishment project is available from The N&O.

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Saturday, March 04, 2006

Fish Beaching Jubilee in North Carolina?

We've heard of Alabama's Jubilee before, but it appears this unusual phenomenon paid a visit to North Carolina last week. Thousands of flounder, spot, and pinfish swam into extremely shallow water near Jacksonville, NC and began to beach themselves. Fish were so docile that they could be handled before they would respond. A few hours later the massive school of fish swam back out into deeper waters and only a few fish died in the ordeal. Officials from the Division of Water Quality, NC Marine Fisheries, and NC Marine Patrol found extremely low levels of oxygen in the water during the event but immediately after oxygen levels returned to normal. More on this unusual phenomenon in NC is available from MSNBC.

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Thursday, March 02, 2006

Chesapeake Bay Stripers Infected with Bacterial Disease

Almost three quarters of all the striped bass that are spawned in the Chesapeake Bay are now dying from an unusual bacterial disease. This bacterial disease attacks the stripers' kidneys and spleens and can even lead to ulcerous eruptions on a fish's stomach. Although no one is yet sure of what exactly is causing the outbreak, signs are pointing to mycobacteriosis, a disease that usually only affects fish in aquariums. While cases have been limited to Virginia at this point striped bass migrate great distances and the possibility of further spreading has not been ruled out. While the disease has been around for a few years now, no other species seem to be affected and the overall stock is still healthy. Virginia anglers have been encouraged to wear gloves when handling stripers because some strains of the bacteria have been linked to skin infections and swollen joints. Researchers also recommend not eating any fish with visible ulcers. The photograph to the right, courtesy of the Virginia Institute for Marine Science, shows the erupting ulcers. Please be sure to leave a comment below if you have seen or heard of any stripers with ulcers in North Carolina and the "Tell a Friend" link is a quick way to forward this info to your friends who fish for stripers along the northern NC coast. More on the striper disease is available from dailypress.com.

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Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Coastal Diversity Task Force Proposed by NC Sea Grant

North Carolina Sea Grant proposed today that the state set up a Waterfront Access Task Force to collaborate with the NC Coastal Resources Law, Planning and Policy Center to help our state keep its coastal heritage in the face of ever-increasing development pressure. Historic fish houses on the Outer Banks, community boat docks and piers, and every other open piece of land along the NC coast have been falling like dominoes to new real estate development for years and many are starting to worry that in a few decades our coast will be nothing more than luxury homes. North Carolina fishermen have been especially concerned because of the loss of access to great fishing waters as docks, ramps, and piers have vanished. Some of the new proposals for the General Assembly include property tax breaks for owners so that land is taxed on its use value rather than it's highest value. North Carolina farmers currently are taxed with this model. Other ideas include water access easement tax incentives to those who give up development rights on parts of their land. We are exited to see folks working to preserve the character of the coast and Outer Banks and we hope that some useful compromises can be reached. More on the proposed task force is available from the Jacksonville Daily News.

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