COASTAL 



TIDINGS 



Fishery Resource 

 Grants Awarded 



From red drum fishing ethics to 

 value-added crabmeat products, this 

 year's Fishery Resource Grant (FRG) 

 projects represent a broad spectrum 

 of coastal interests. 



The FRG program awards 

 grants to people involved in commer- 

 cial and recreational fishing, seafood 

 processing, and others who make a 

 living from the water. The premise is 

 that those with the most at stake in 

 seafood-related industries have 

 unique ideas for improving or 

 protecting coastal resources. 



Of 42 proposals received this 

 year, 1 1 grants have been awarded 

 so far. Others are pending final 

 approval. 



George Beckwith of Oriental will 

 study mortality in the catch-and- 

 release red drum recreational fishery. 



David Joyce of Beaufort will try 

 out an apprentice program for 

 aquaculturists. Peter Dama seeks to 

 reduce seabird mortality in gill nets 

 in Merritt. 



All grant categories are 

 represented: aquaculture and 

 mariculture, fishery 

 equipment and gear, 

 seafood technology 

 and environmental 

 studies. 



Look for the 

 next request for 

 proposals this fall. 

 For more 

 information, 

 call 919/515- 

 2454. Online 

 go to www. 

 ncsu.edu/ 

 seagrant. 



-C.H. 



SUMMER 2001 



Destination: Fort Fisher 



Renovations at the Fort Fisher Civil War historic site are nearly complete, and 

 officials are predicting a banner tourist season for the popular Pleasure Island attraction — 

 just a ferry stop away from Southport. 



With its facelift complete, the visitors' center has reopened its doors. And finishing 

 touches are being put on new exhibits that feature interactive displays and artifacts 

 recovered from sunken blockade runners. 



In addition, the $1 million project to rebuild the protective revetment — a 3,000-foot 

 granite wall facing the Atlantic Ocean — is expected to be completed this summer. 



The recreation area features four miles of oceanfront beaches, a snack bar, bathrooms 

 and shower facilities. 



Until the last few months of the Civil War, Fort Fisher kept the port of Wilmington 

 open to the blockade runners that supplied Confederate troops. It fell to Union forces in 

 January 1865. 



Mother Nature has dealt an even stronger blow to the earthen fort in recent years. 

 Six hurricanes in four seasons — from Hurricane Fran in 1996 to Hurricane Floyd in 

 1999 — took their toll on the historic ramparts, visitors' center and surrounding ocean- 

 front beaches. Much of the historic site has been off-limits to the public as renovations 

 took place. 



Meanwhile, work continues nearby on the $16 million expansion of the N.C. 

 Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Closed since 1999, it is expected to reopen in 2002. 



For information about the Fort Fisher historic site, call 910/458-8206. For informa- 

 tion about the N.C. Aquarium programs, call 910/458-8257. - P.S. 



