A Forum for Coastwatch Readers 



Coastwatch wants to hear from you on topics relating to the 

 North Carolina coast. Letters should be no longer than 250 words 

 and should contain the author's name, address and telephone 

 number. Letters may be edited for style. Send all correspondence 

 to Coastwatch, UNC Sea Grant, Box 8605, North Carolina State 

 University, Raleigh, NC 27695. Opinions expressed on this page 

 are not necessarily those of UNC Sea Grant employees or staff. 



A Future Surf Fisherman? 



Dear Editor. 



I have been a Coastwatch subscriber for so many years I 

 can't remember. This is an excellent publication, and I will be 

 pleased to continue under the paid magazine concept. 



However, I'm writing you for another purpose. We have 

 been vacationing on the Outer Banks, specifically Ocracoke, for 

 the last 15 years. This year I would like to take up surf fishing. 

 This is where I hope you can help me. 



I know nothing about surf fishing. What equipment do I 

 purchase? What fish do you catch? Where and how do you catch 

 them? And last, but not least, when you catch a fish how do you 

 know what you caught and if you can eat it? 



Could you please send me information about the above, or 

 point me in the right direction to get this data. 



A surf fisherman to be, 



Robert C. Ashman, Muncy, Penn. 



The best place to learn about surf fishing is in the surf. 

 Fishing is a fine art, one that can t be taught entirely from books. 



You need to talk to the experts, those men and women who 

 spend a good portion of their time and effort practicing the art. 

 Ask them. They'll tell you what kind of equipment you'll need and 

 what type of bait to use. They'll show you how to cast a line, tie a 

 leader, cut a shrimp, slice a squid. 



But don 't be surprised if they refuse to show you their favorite 

 fishing holes. No fisherman is expected to go that far. 



Sea Grant can help you in one area, though. If you're not 

 sure whether the fish you 've caught is edible, send for our 

 publication "Recipes With a New Catch. " Our series of brochures 

 on underutilized species can help also. The recipe book is $2. Ask 

 for publication number UNC-SG-86-06. The brochures are $2 for 

 the two sets. Ask for publication numbers UNC-SG-85-09 through 

 85-18 and UNC-SG- 86-13 through 86-18. 



Finally, you might want to contact the folks at North Carolina 

 State University who sponsor the annual Sport Fishing School. 



There are two sessions each year. For information, contact Mac 

 Currin. Box 1611. NCSU, Raleigh, NC 21695-1611. 



A Few Encouraging Words 



Dear Editor. 



Enclosed is my check in the amount of S12 for a subscription to 

 the "new" Coastwatch. The format sounds great and I wish you 

 every success. 



Thank you for the "old" Coastwatch. It has been most 

 interesting and educational. 



Neil A. McNeil, Fayetteville, N.C. 



Concerned About Oyster Clusters 



Dear Editor, 



I would like to see an article on digging clams and gathering 

 oysters. I am always concerned about where it is safe (i.e. non- 

 polluted) and not damaging young clams and oysters. I hear people 

 say they get clusters of oysters. It seems to me that the mature 

 oysters should be broken away from the young ones on the cluster 

 with the young oysters and the cluster thrown back to grow. 



I have enclosed my check for the subscription. I think 

 Coastwatch will be a successful magazine if you can show people 

 how to use coastal resources in such a way that we can preserve 

 and grow rather than destroy. 



Keep up the good work. 



Elisabeth Mikulewicz, Wilmington, N.C. 



Harvesting oysters and other shellfish in polluted waters is 

 prohibited by law. These waters are usually clearly marked by 

 warning signs erected by the state's Division of Marine Fisheries. The 

 division monitors the waters to make sure illegal harvesting is not 

 taking place. 



Often, the division will allow relay of clams and oysters from 

 polluted to non-polluted waters. These shellfish can be harvested and 

 sold only after they purge themselves of pollutants (24 to 48 hows). 



Oysters do grow in clusters and, unfortunately, some people 

 harvest them without regard to size. North Carolina law forbids the 

 harvesting of oysters less than three inches long. If someone finds a 

 cluster of mixed sizes, the smaller ones must be broken off where 

 feasible and returned to the water. 



For more information concerning fish and shellfish regulations, 

 contact the N.C Division of Marine Fisheries in Morehead City at 

 919/126-1021. 



20 JULY/AUGLST 1991 



