North Carolina State Library 

 Raleigh 



N. C. 

 Doc. 



University of North Carolina 

 Sea Grant Program 



NEWSLETTER 



FEBRUARY, 1975 



1285 Burlington Laboratories 

 NCSU, Raleigh, N. C. 27607 Tel: (919) 787-2U5U 



New harbor 

 could boost 

 income 

 and jobs 



Artist's conception of 

 proposed Wanchese harbor 

 complex. 



When most folks hear the name Wanchese, they 

 probably think of an Indian chief. But if the 1975 

 N. C. General Assembly gives its stamp of approv- 

 al, the name Wanchese could become better known 

 as one of the nation's major fishing centers located 

 in northeastern North Carolina. 



A vote by legislators to initiate funding for a 

 proposed harbor complex in the Dare County com- 

 munity of Wanchese could create new jobs and 

 fatten pocketbooks in an area where unemployment 

 is high and individual income is low compared to 

 the rest of the state and nation. And with a show of 

 support by the state, the federal government will 

 carry out a project authorized by Congress in 1970 

 to deepen and stabilize Oregon Inlet and avenues 

 connecting Wanchese with rich Atlantic fishing 

 grounds. 



Together, development of the proposed harbor 

 complex and improved access to fishing areas could 

 be the combination needed to boost the state's sea- 

 food industry. 



Today Wanchese is a tiny community snuggled 

 to the edge of southeastern Roanoke Island. Al- 

 ready it is a major port for many of the state's com- 

 mercial fishermen. But the harbor at Wanchese and 



the routes to and from the port are shallow and of- 

 ten treacherous even for smaller boats. During peak 

 fishing season and bad weather when many boats 

 dock there, the harbor is jammed with vessels from 

 Texas to Maine. 



Many local, state and federal officials and coastal 

 citizens believe that with the proposed improve- 

 ments, Wanchese, located near a gold mine of fish- 

 ery resources, could become a major center for 

 collecting, processing and distributing seafoods. 

 The project is a top priority of the Holshouser ad- 

 ministration and enjoys support of the state's U.S. 

 congressional delegation as well as local and re- 

 gional government and planning agencies. 



Improvements proposed for the harbor and Ore- 

 gon Inlet would be done in separate, coordinated 

 state and federal projects. But in order for any of 

 the work to be done, the state must first fund the 

 harbor development phase of the project. With- 

 out financial commitment by the state, the federal 

 government would probably be unable to justify 

 the expense of its project which includes permanent 

 stabilization of Oregon Inlet with jetties, especially 

 in a time of budget cutbacks, according to Alvah 

 (See "A better," page 3) 



