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Dear Readers, 



This month, Coastwatch offers a potpourri of articles 

 for your reading pleasure. 



First, Carla Burgess takes readers offshore to the 

 continental shelf where she explores underwater natural 

 reefs called hardbottoms. These underwater oases are the 

 subject of a multidisciplinary Sea Grant project aimed at 

 understanding the value of these reef ecosystems. 



Next, Jeannie Faris explains a new trend in recre- 

 ational fishing — catch-and-release. This conservation- 

 minded approach to sportfishing allows anglers to cast a 

 line today while planning for tomorrow's catch. 



Finally, I'll treat you to a seafood dinner taken fresh 

 from the freezer. I'll explain why quickly frozen top- 

 quality fish and shellfish are sometimes preferable to the 



"fresh" seafood found in retail counters. 



Besides broadening the focus of Coastwatch this 

 month, we're introducing a new department page in the 

 back section. Coastal Commentary will appear sporadi- 

 cally throughout the year and feature an editorial point of 

 view by a writer qualified to speak on an issue of coastal 

 concern. Sea Grant Coastal Water Quality Specialist 

 Barbara Doll kicks off the new page with a look at the 

 possibilities for an ocean outfall in North Carolina. 



We hope you enjoy our mixed bag of articles. And 

 even better than that, we hope you learn something new. 



Don't forget to write us if you have comments or 

 questions. 



Until next issue, 



Kathy Hart 



In this i s s 



u e 



Hardbottoms 

 Page 3 



A Hard Rock Oasis Under The Sea ... 2 



Recycling Fish - The Right Thing to Do ... 8 



Fresher Than Fresh May Be Frozen ... 14 



Young Mariners 

 Fish Prints - Art in the Ocean ... 20 



From Sound to Sea 



Water, Water Everywhere ... 21 



Marine Advice 

 Sea Grant Agents are Talking TEDs ... 22 



Field Notes 

 Soundside Sleuths ... 23 



Coastal Commentary 

 Is North Carolina Ready for Ocean Outfalls? ... 24 



The Aft Deck ... 25 



Recycling Fish 

 Page 8 



Fish Fatalities 

 Page 23 



COASTWATCH 1 



