FROM THE EDITOR 



Sea Grant Storytelling 



I'm honored when readers tell me they 

 eagerly await a new issue of Coastwatch because 

 we can tell coastal stories well. 



Of course, we're always telling stories of 

 researchers on the cutting edge of marine science 

 — but that's not all. From little-known histories 

 of coastal communities to controversial debates 

 regarding coastal policy or tips on catching and 

 preparing favorite seafoods, each issue should 

 provide new perspectives on one of your favorite 

 places to live or to visit. 



We especially hope that you will enjoy the 

 stories in this issue dedicated to the 25th anniver- 

 sary of the North Carolina Sea Grant College 

 Program. Yes, it is larger — 50 percent larger — 

 to give us more room to tell you about Sea Grant. 

 (Sorry, but Coastwatch will be back to its normal size come autumn.) 



Even with this extra room, there is no way we could tell the 

 complete story of North Carolina Sea Grant in one issue. That's why 

 we opt to take you on a coastal journey, making a few stops to meet 

 folks who show the past, present and future of Sea Grant. 



We start out with a quick travel guide — snapshots of the 

 Sea Grant efforts in the past 25 years — to get you thinking about 

 countless opportunities on the trip ahead. 



Unlike your summer vacation, our journey includes a trip back 

 in time, to the days when Sea Grant was simply a twinkle in the eyes 

 of the state's leaders in marine science and policy. 



On the northern coast, we invite you to meet Joey Daniels, a 

 member of our Outreach Advisory Board, a panel that provides 

 feedback on our extension and communications programs to make 

 sure we are meeting coastal needs. Not only can you visit with the 

 extensive Daniels family, but you also get a tour of Wanchese, which 

 has seen its own changes in the past quarter-century. 



It's time to put on your waders — we're going on a marsh hike. The 

 first North Carolina research project funded by the National Sea Grant 

 program was on estuarine research. We are still working on estuarine 

 issues, including the continuing battles with harmful algal blooms. 



We pause a bit to reflect on blue crabs — 

 the largest commercial fishery in the state — 

 whose Latin name refers to beautiful swimmers. 

 Sea Grant's newest effort is a state-funded blue crab 

 research program. But, like the state, we have a long 

 history with the blue crab, including early demon- 

 stration projects that counted on the help of veteran 

 crabbers like Murray Bridges. 



Prepare yourself to move from the present to 

 the future. For years, Sea Grant has included coastal 

 communities in Sea Grant research, but coastal 

 residents themselves now have the opportunity to 

 propose and conduct research projects through the 

 state-funded Fishery Resource Grant Program. 



And Sea Grant ensures strong science in the 

 policy arena by placing graduate students in the 

 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program. Both these programs 

 identify opportunities to keep science in the communities and before 

 decision makers — critical needs for the future. 



Like most tours, the time is up before you know it. We are 

 already on the southern coast, checking in on the multidisciplinary 

 efforts by the Sea Grant researcher Martin Posey, an award-winning 

 faculty member at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. 



Well, it looks like I am running out of time and space, but I can't 

 sign off without saying what fun it has been working on this project. 

 I want to spend more time going through old issues of Coastwatch and 

 earlier Sea Grant newsletters. 



I am humbled to be in the company of former Sea Grant 

 communications coordinators. For example, Karen Jurgensen is now 

 editor of USA Today. Nancy Davis is now associate vice chancellor at 

 the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill handling public 

 relations. And Kathy Hart is now associate executive director of the 

 North Carolina State University Alumni Association. 



And of course, theie have been many other talented folks who 

 not only wrote for Coastwatch, but provided a wide variety of 

 products. I thank them all for providing such a solid groundwork for 

 us to usher North Carolina Sea Grant into our next quarter-century. 



Katie Mosher, Managing Editor 



CONTRIBUTORS 



Writers: 



Dominique M. Donato D Ann Green D Cynthia Henderson D Katie Mosher a Pam Smith 



Photographers: 



JimBahen rj Dixie Berg n Cassie Griffin D Michael Halrninski D Herman Lankford D DarylLaw a Keith Rittmaster 

 Spencer Rogers n Dustin Schrimpsher D Scott D. Taylor D Allen Weiss D Roger W. Winstead 



