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Dear Readers, 



Sit back and let Coastwatch launch you into orbit with 

 the satellites. Invisible to us on Earth, these circling orbs 

 take readings and measurements valuable to coastal 

 research, management and fisheries technology. 



First, Jeannie Faris explains how commercial and 

 recreational fishermen use satellite technology to home in 

 on their catch. These sensitive spheres can accurately 

 detect ocean-surface temperatures from miles above the 

 earth. The temperatures can then be charted and used by 

 fishermen to pinpoint areas where certain species of fish 

 live and feed. 



Freelance writer Sarah Friday Peters explores how 

 researchers use a satellite's bird's-eye view of the world to 

 plot coastal land use. Using satellite spectral analysis, 

 scientists can determine which areas are woodlands, 

 wetlands and marshes, and which ones are dominated by 

 highways, shopping centers and residential homes. In the 

 future, planners and resource managers can use this 

 information to strike a balance between maintaining natural 



In t h 



resources and planning for development. 



Back on Earth, Carla Burgess reminds us of an old 

 African-American Christmas custom called "John Kunner" 

 that may be the foundation for a modem-day yuletide 

 celebration in Rodanthe. 



And I have one correction to make from our last issue 

 about coastal Native Americans. In my story about the 

 history of coastal Indians, I mentioned a tool called the 

 atlatl, which was a spearthrower. I identified the tool with 

 the Paleo-Indians (14,000 B.C. to 8000 B.C.). But Stanley 

 Knick, director of the Native American Resource Center at 

 Pembroke State University, called to say this device was 

 invented in the Archaic Period (8000 B.C. to 2000 B.C. or 

 1000 B.C.). Thank you, Dr. Knick, for calling this to our 

 attention. 



Have a safe, happy holiday. 



Until next issue, 

 Kathy Hart 



is issue 



P a 



Searching Out Fish With Satellites ... 2 



Looking Down on Coastal Resources ... 8 



The Legends of John Kunner and Old Buck ... 13 



ere 

 a 



From Sound to Sea 

 Crafting Coastal Plants Into Yuletide Trimmings ... 18 



N.C. DOCUMENTS 

 Marine Advice CLEARINCHOUSE 

 Legal Precedents Loom in Lucas Case ... 20 



DEC 21 1992 



COASTWATCH 1 



