From the Editors 



The Ocean's Due 



"Earth" is a misnomer for the planet we inhabit. If named 

 according to the element most visible on its surface, Earth 

 would better be known as "Ocean." Perhaps it is because 

 humans are land creatures that we refer to our home by the 

 solid ground on which we stand. If asked their preference for a 

 name, whales might give a different answer. 



But the ocean is as important to our lives as to the lives of 

 bottlenose dolphins and snow crabs, bluefin tuna and logger- 

 head turtles. On an obvious level, we harvest creatures from the 

 sea for our tables and use the water for recreation. Consider 

 also that artists and writers create works inspired by the 

 ocean's beauty and mystery. And scientists see it as a source of 

 potential discoveries that could affect everything from medical 

 technology to space flight. 



With so much riding on the bounty of Earth's waters, 

 keeping them healthy must be a priority. For that reason, the 

 United Nations has declared 1998 the Year of the Ocean (see 

 "Coastal Tidings" on page 3 for more information). Through- 

 out this year, researchers and government officials, industries 

 and concerned citizens will join together to give the ocean its 

 due. How will we ensure clean waters and robust populations 

 of marine species for the future? What are the many ways we 

 affect the ocean, and how do we minimize our impact? The 

 world will debate these questions and many more in 1998. 



By its nature, North Carolina Sea Grant deals with marine- 

 related issues every day, and the program is committed to 

 addressing the problems the ocean faces. And for our part, we 



at Coastwatch plan to continue bringing you news of the ocean 



— this year and beyond. 



This month, our stories highlight living by the water. 

 We debut Eddie Nickens' series on North Carolina's coastal 

 landmarks, those geographical places where land meets sea 

 and man meets nature. Join him for a moving examination of 

 living on "the hook." Odile Fredericks covers two issues 

 important to life on the coast: building on urban waterfronts 

 and encouraging tourism along the Intracoastal Waterway. 

 And in "Naturalist's Notebook," Lundie Spence profiles the 

 diamondback terrapin, a citizen of the salt marsh. 



Unlike many land creatures, we have ways of leaving 

 earth behind us and heading into the vast ocean. For centuries, 

 we've reaped the rewards of this ability to take to — and from 



— the sea. Now, our challenge is to give something back. □ 



Jeannie Norris Daun Daemon 



Contributors 



Writers: 



Elizabeth Burke • David Cecelski • Daun Daemon • Odile Fredericks • Kathy Hart 

 Eddie Nickens • Jeannie Faris Norris • Athena Osborne • Lundie Spence 



Photographers: 



Michael Halminski • Cecil Hobbs • Herman Lankford • Ken Taylor • Scott D. Taylor 



