N.C. DOCUMENTS 



CLEARINGHOUSE 



From The Top 



Dear Readers: 



Thanks for subscribing to Coastwatch. We look forward to 

 providing you a year's worth of reading pleasure. 



For this issue, we're focusing on coastal aquaculture. 



At Sea Grant, folks frequently drop by or call to ask questions 

 about raising hybrid striped bass, catfish or crawfish or about 

 growing shellfish on leases. 



Some are fanners looking for alternative, more profitable crops. 

 Others are entrepreneurs searching for a sound investment that 

 will yield substantial profits. 



Many see aquaculture as the way of the future. As wild stocks 

 of fish and shellfish are overfished or contaminated by pollution, 

 aquaculture is frequently seen as a growing source of "safe" 

 seafood products. 



Gambling on this prophecy, many North Carolinians are digging 

 ponds or obtaining leases to become farmers of the sea. 



In Beaufort County, C.R. Edgerton learned what it takes to grow 

 the latest entry into the aquaculture industry — the hybrid striped 



\TE LIBRARY 



bass. He visited two farmers who have traded their fields for ponds. 



Edgerton also traveled Carteret County backroads with Sea Grant 

 extension agent Skip Kemp to find out why there is so much 

 interest in shellfish culture. 



Carla Burgess visited South Brunswick High School where 

 aquaculture is part of the cumculum. She learned from a North 

 Carolina State University scientist how to make the garden grow 

 with some fishy byproducts. And an extension specialist showed 

 her a barn dedicated to fish culture. 



I took on the task of investigating crawfish and catfish culture. 

 Crawfish, a long-time Cajun favorite, are finding a home in Tar Heel 

 ponds. And farm culture has elevated the catfish from the river 

 bottom to haute cuisine. 



We hope you enjoy learning about the culture of fish and 

 shellfish. If you would like to know more, be sure to contact the 

 sources listed at the end of each article. 



See you next issue, 

 Kathv Hart 



In This Issue 



Eastern North Carolina: A Hotbed for Hybrid Bass . 2 



Keeping Catfish Down on the Farm 6 



Cajun Favorite Comes to Carolina 8 



Aquaculture in a Class By Itself 10 



A Boom in Backyard Shellfish Fanning 13 



Young Mariners 



Meeting the Big Sweep Bunch 14 



From Sound To Sea 



Striped Bass: A Heritage of Good Taste 15 



Marine Advice 



Encouraging Oyster Culture 16 



A Barn Raising: Will It Pay Off? 11 



The New Greenhouse Effect: 



Growing Fish and Vegetables Side by Side . .12 



Field Notes 



Secrets of Striper Spawning 



The Aft Deck 



Back Talk 



The Book Store 



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COASTWATCH 1 



