FROM THE EDITOR 



Lifelong Lessons 



Many of us still associate autumn with 

 "back to school," even though most schools on a 

 traditional calendar now start the new year in 

 August. 



And in my neighborhood, a year-round school 

 schedule means that by September, many of the 

 youngsters get a three- week break — a wonderful 

 time to take a learning vacation at the coast. 



So, indulge me, if you will, as we offer an 

 educational package in this Autumn issue of 

 Coastwatch. We'll offer several lessons for the 

 post-baccalaureate crowd and a "recommended 

 reading" list. 



First, though, I remind you to watch for coastal 

 learning opportunities everywhere — just ask folks 

 who were strolling through Raleigh's Crabtree 

 Valley Mall in late July and happened upon a lesson 

 in shark nurseries or shark migration. 



Yes, those were scientists and a commercial fishing captain 

 offering their first-hand knowledge of shark behavior, life cycles and 

 habitats. And there was Sea Grant's own Lundie Spence dazzling 

 youngsters, even transforming a few into sharks with the help of some 

 gray material and cardboard fins. 



In my two years with Sea Grant, we have been invited to a variety 

 of environmental festivals and teacher workshops, not to mention the 

 annual commercial fishing show and the hurricane expo. But this was 

 the first request I received from a shopping mall. 



The folks at Discovery Channel had chosen Crabtree as one of a 

 handful of malls across the country to host a grand preview of the cable 

 channel's annual Shark Week program. But Crabtree took the idea a few 

 steps further, requesting that Sea Grant, the North Carolina Aquariums 

 and Triangle area dive shops present information about sharks in North 

 Carolina. We were happy to oblige — and were eager to introduce Sea 

 Grant to a new audience. 



We also took the opportunity to showcase results of research from 

 North Carolina Fishery Resource Grants, a program administered by 

 Sea Grant. 



David Beresoff, a commercial fishing captain from Brunswick 

 County, and Teresa Thorpe, a biologist at the University of North 



Carolina at Wilmington, discussed coastal shark 

 nurseries and efforts to choose netting that would 

 catch targeted fish but fewer sharks. Their display — 

 which included samples of various species, including 

 a bull shark more than three feet long — drew many 

 questions and a few gasps. 



Roger Rulifson, a biologist at East Carolina 

 University who has worked with a number of 

 commercial fishers on FRG projects, also gave a pair 

 of presentations on migration patterns of the spiny 

 dogfish, the only shark species that has been 

 commercially targeted in North Carolina waters. 



You can learn more about the FRG research on 

 sharks in Cynthia Henderson Vega's Sea Science 

 article on page 20. Also in this issue, we take you 

 along on a pair of Sea Grant-sponsored workshops — 

 one along the coast and one in the coastal plain. 

 Ann Green joins teachers from North Carolina and other states 

 who want to take lessons from the deadly deluge that accompanied 

 Hurricanes Dennis and Floyd in September 1999. Many communities 

 and countless families still are recovering from the record floods, 

 especially along the Tar River and its tributaries. 



Pam Smith joins Lundie and Sea Grant colleague Walter Clark to 

 look at differences development makes along barrier islands. The field 

 study, presented by the Encore program at North Carolina State 

 University, targeted Masonboro Island, Bald Head Island and 

 Wrightsville Beach. 



Well, it looks like you'll have a sampling of biology, geology and 

 public policy. How about some history? We have another essay by 

 David Cecelski. His collection of Coastwatch columns, A Historian's 

 Coast: Adventures into the Tidewater Past, is drawing readers and 

 listeners as David visits bookstores from the Triangle to the coast. 



And speaking of books, check out the recommended reading list in 

 Book Market on page 23. 



Now, visiting the coast is not always serious business. Sometimes 

 you just want to grab your fishing pole and head to the nearest pier. 



But first you may want to read Ann's cover story that highlights 

 this coastal tradition — and you may learn something new. 



Katie Mosher, Managing Editor 



CONTRIBUTORS 



Writers: 



David Cecelski G Ann Green n Katie Mosher ° Pam Smith D Cynthia Henderson Vega 



Photographers: 



David Beresoff D Michael Halminski Q Katie Mosher B Michele C. Sistrunk 

 Scott D. Taylor ■ Teresa Thorpe Q Cynthia Henderson Vega 



