COASTAL 



TIDINGS 



Study Focuses on Fish Parasites 



orth Carolina Sea Grant researchers 

 have found that costia — an important parasite 

 in many freshwater and marine fish — actually 

 consists of many species. 



Costia or Ichthyobodo necator — which attacks 

 a fish's skin and gills — is often fatal and causes 

 significant aquaculture losses 

 across the world. 



"Different species 

 appear to have multiple 

 hosts, which has 

 implications for the 

 aquaculture industry," 

 says Heather Callahan, 

 former graduate student at 

 the NC State College of Veterinary 

 Medicine. "If different species offish are kept 

 in the same facility, they may be able to share 

 infections." 



Ed Noga of the NC State College of 

 Veterinary Medicine, and R.W. Litakerof 

 the National Oceanic and Atmosphenc 

 Administration, National Ocean Service, 

 Beaufort, also collaborated on the study. 



The work was published in the February 

 issue of Journal of Fish Diseases. 



This study confirms earlier work byJ.A. 

 Todal from Norway and other Norwegian, South 

 African and Japanese researchers who found 

 more than one species of costia. 



Dunng the Sea Grant study, the same 

 species was obtained from both marine and 

 freshwater fish, further suggesting that certain 

 Ichthyobodo species may not be limited by salinity. 



The researchers also demonstrated 

 that DNA sequence differences between 

 costia species can be used consistently for 

 identification. 



"With more research, DNA sequence 

 differences may help determine the types offish 

 that can be stocked together," says Callahan. 

 "They also might be used to determine risks 

 involved with using water from local waterways 

 that may provide a way to transfer Ichthyobodo 

 between feral and cultured fish species. In 

 addition, DNA differences between species 

 could be used to differentiate more virulent or 

 treatment-resistant species and strains prior to 

 the importation or exportation offish." 



To read the article: visit the Web: www. 

 blackwell-synergy.com. Click on "journals" and 

 follow the link to Journal of Fish Diseases. — A.G. 



Hatteras Fresnel Lens Restored 



Fbr centuries, the Cape 

 Hatteras Lighthouse has 

 been a beacon to captains 

 transversing treacherous 

 shoals. But this spring it 

 was the Graveyard of the 

 Atlantic — Museum, that is 

 — coming to the rescue of 

 the famed Hatteras Light. 

 Volunteers joined experts 

 to restore the "first order" 

 Fresnel lens — including 



400 sea-green crystal prisms. The original 6,000-pound lens, 

 was state-of-the-art technology when it was built in Paris in 

 1853. Removed from the Hatteras lighthouse during the Civil 

 War, the lens was thought to be lost — until 2002, when author 

 Kevin Duffus' search through the National Archives revealed 

 that the lens was in storage at the National Park Service. - K.M. 



Sport Fishing 

 School Set 

 for June 



I he 53rd Annual Sport Fishing School, 

 sponsored by North Carolina State University, 

 is set for June 5-9 at Hatteras. The school is 

 open to individuals who wish to learn more 

 about fishing for offshore big game fish. 



Students will learn about equipment, 

 bait and techniques of big game fishing, as 

 well as surf fishing. On the agenda are two 

 major excursions to Gulf Stream waters to 

 pursue blue marlin, dolphin, sailfish and 

 yellowfin tuna. 



Due to the nature of the school, 

 registration is limited, and early applications 

 are suggested. The $1 ,095 fee includes a 

 Sunday evening social, Wednesday night 

 fish fry and Thursday evening banquet. 



Lodging and other 

 meals are not included. 



To reserve a place, 

 call 919/515-2261, or 

 e-mail continuingeducation 

 @ncsu.edu. For more 

 information, go online to 

 www.continumgeducation.ncsu. 

 edu and click on seminars. 



-P.S. 



COASTWATCH 5 



