COASTAL 



TIDINGS 



Mysteries of ] 



Why are harmful algal blooms toxic 

 and how do they pose a health threat to fish 

 and humans? 



North Carolina Sea Grant researchers 

 and other experts address the ecological 

 and health concerns of Pfiesteria piscicida 

 and other harmful species in "Nature Out 

 of Balance," a two-part documentary that 

 aired in August on the University of North 

 Carolina Television. 



The scientific detective story follows 

 researchers to North Carolina rivers and 

 sounds to probe the secrets of mysterious 



icroorganisms 



microorganisms. The first segment 

 examines the scientific context of harm- 

 ful algal blooms, which are spreading 

 geographically and occurring more 

 frequently. The second show deals with 

 human health effects, particularly those 

 associated with Pfiesteria. 



The program is a co-production of 

 UNC-TV, North Carolina Sea Grant and 

 the National Institute of Environmental 

 Health Sciences. Video copies of the series 

 are available from Sea Grant for $10. 

 Call 919/515-9101. — A.G. 



Cape Lookout Lighthouse Renovation 



At the historic Cape Lookout 

 lighthouse, the diamonds are beginning to 

 look a little rough. Inside the 1 5-story tower, 

 the mortar has cracked, and the metal has 

 rusted. During storms, water seeps in. 



To preserve the distinctive black and 

 white diagonal checkerboard landmark, the 

 Coast Guard started renovations in July. 



"We are doing interior renovations," 

 says Chief Nick Johnston of the U.S. Coast 

 Guard. "Large chunks of bricks have fallen 

 from the tower. It had become unsafe for 



personnel. We hope to get the interior in 

 better shape. Our work has been thrown 

 back because of Hurricane Dennis." 



During the $71 ,400 renovation, the 

 bricks and metal are being repaired, and the 

 lantern is being preserved. 



The last time the Coast Guard worked 

 on the lighthouse was in 1 995, when it 

 repainted the traditional black and white 

 diamonds. 



Throughout the renovations, the light 

 will shine from the beacon. — A.G. 



Discover . 

 Diverse Wildlife 

 at Buckridge 

 Reserve 



am a vast swamp forest 

 for a glimpse of large black bears. 

 Watch red-cockaded woodpeckers 

 perch on pine trees. If you are lucky, 

 spy an endangered red wolf or 

 American alligator. 



This diverse wildlife can be 

 found in various habitats at 

 Buckridge Coastal Reserve along 

 N.C 94 near Columbia. The site, 

 which stretches over 1 8,000 acres, 

 is the first and largest inland reserve 

 among the nine components of the 

 N.C. Coastal Reserve. 



"This represents the coastal 

 reserve's first mainland site," says 

 John Taggart, coastal reserve 

 coordinator for the N.C Division 

 of Coastal Management. "It 

 includes an example of a low- 

 salinity estuarine habitat." 



The reserve encompasses a 

 vast area of swamp forest, including 

 5,000 acres of Atlantic white cedar 

 — half the documented remaining 

 acreage of cedar in the state. 



The state purchased the land 

 from Primland Ltd. with $6.8 

 million in grants from the Clean 

 Water Management Trust Fund, 

 the National Heritage Trust Fund 

 and the Coastal Wetlands Fund, 

 administered by the U.S. Fish and 

 Wildlife Service. The North Carolina 

 chapter of the Nature Conservancy 

 negotiated the purchase on behalf 

 of the state. — A.G. 



COASTWATCH 



