FROM THE EDITOR 



Silver Threads 



It's hard to decide where to begin to say 

 "Thanks." 



When we kicked off our 25th anniversary with a 

 program in Raleigh Feb. 7, I found it quite humbling 

 to see so many folks take time from busy schedules to 

 join us in recognizing the designation of the complete 

 North Carolina Sea Grant College Program. 



At the same time, it was quite exciting to see the 

 mix of people who came together. I wish I could get a 

 full report of all the potential collaborations sparked 

 that night. Some may be immediate projects among 

 longtime colleagues, who, while catching up, realized 

 they had common priorities. 



In other cases, a researcher may have met 

 someone from a state or federal agency for the first 

 time. Now, when either has a question or a new 

 project, they know whom to call — or e-mail — for a 

 certain expertise. 



We were pleased to see so many veteran legislators stop by to check 

 on progress of Sea Grant's efforts — and many newer legislators who 

 took the opportunity to leam more about our program. 



And we offer thanks to friends from the coast — folks involved in 

 commercial fishing, seafood processing, local government or community 

 groups with diverse interests. You brought the realities of the challenges 

 our coast now faces. 



Bringing people together has been a hallmark of the Sea Grant 

 program. And, in light of the current state budget constraints, those 

 partnerships will become even more important. 



We were especially honored to have Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue speak. 

 As a longtime New Bern resident, she has seen the changes in coastal 

 counties first hand. And she has recognized the Sea Grant's efforts to 

 preserve ecosystems that are crucial on so many levels — to the 

 environment, to local economies, and to the quality of life along the coast. 



Russ Lea shared his perspective from The University of North 

 Carolina System. We will provide excerpts from his comments, as well 

 those from the lieutenant governor and other speakers, in our special 

 anniversary issue later this year. In the meantime, flip to the inside back 

 cover for a peek at the celebration. 



Throughout the festive evening, we were able to mix in the Sea 



Grant story — even with the wonderful donated 

 seafood. 



For example, oyster harvests have declined in the 

 past century, but Sea Grant is working with shellfish 

 aquaculture researchers and business owners to 

 promote healthy new harvests. 



Blue crabs are the state's leading commercial 

 fishery. Sea Grant has a long history of crab projects, 

 from the early days of working with processors on 

 pasteurization, to a new state-funded blue crab 

 research program. 



Scallop medallions, featured in an earlier issue of 

 Coastwatch, are considered a value-added seafood. 

 The product was developed with funding from the 

 N.C. Fishery Resource Grant program. 



It was obvious that the shrimp cocktail was a 

 favorite. Our extension specialists have worked 

 extensively with North Carolina shrimpers to introduce more efficient and 

 environmentally friendly gear, including the skimmer trawl. 



And Sea Grant's hybrid striped bass aquaculture technology 

 sparked a multi-million industry. Those lessons are now being transferred 

 to flounder aquaculture. 



In closing, I offer special thanks to those who helped to make the 

 Raleigh event such a success. 

 Aero Cafe at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh 

 Carolina Fisheries, Aurora 



Friends of the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh 

 J&B AquaFood, Jacksonville 



North Carolina Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association, Raleigh 

 North Carolina State University Office of Research and 

 Graduate Studies, Raleigh 

 Scott Taylor Photography, Inc., Beaufort 

 Sea Safari, Ltd., Belhaven 

 South End Brewery, Raleigh 

 Theo Davis Sons, Inc., Zebulon 

 Wanchese Fish Company, Wanchese 

 Again, we thank all of those who have supported Sea Grant over the 

 years — down to the first-time readers of Coastwatch. We could not do it 

 without you. 



Katie Mosher, Managing Editor 



CONTRIBUTORS 



Writers: 



Ann Green ° Katie Mosher ° Pam Smith Q Cynthia Henderson Vega 



Photographers: 



Mike Dunn H Walker Golder a Jonathan Grabowski Q Michael Halminski B Diane Hardy Q Herman Lankford 

 Daryl Law a Al Patterson H Sean Powers Doug Smith D Scott D. Taylor B Roger Winstead 



