COASTAL 



TIDINGS 



Around the Sea Grant Network: 



Estuaries, Ocean Currents Crucial 

 to Successful Shrimp Fishery 



Georgia Sea Grant researchers Jack 

 Blanton and Peter Verity are trying to 

 determine what oceanographic conditions 

 favor the transport of white shrimp larvae 

 from the ocean to their estuarine nursery 

 grounds. 



Estuarine environments, like salt 

 marshes, are crucial habitat for many 

 commercially important species of fish and 

 shellfish. Blanton and Verity have been 

 studying white shrimp — also one of 

 North Carolina's most valuable fishery 

 resources — in the tidal inlets and estuaries 

 of Georgia and South Carolina. 



The number of shrimp larvae that 

 reach the salt marsh nursery grounds 

 determines to a large extent the quantity 

 that mature into adult shrimp. The 

 researchers are finding that only certain 



wind conditions generate the optimum 

 ocean currents needed to efficiently carry 

 larvae from the ocean into the inlet. Their 

 computer simulations indicate that larvae 

 enter the inlets from long and narrow zones 

 that are less than 2 miles wide but that can 

 extend for nearly 20 miles along the coast. 



This finding, the researchers say, 

 suggests that jetties and other man-made 

 structures may block larvae from entering 

 the inlet and potentially hamper the 

 recruitment of shrimp into the adult 

 fishery. Blanton and Verity hope that a 

 better understanding of the oceanographic 

 conditions that favor the movement of 

 larvae into estuaries will help resource 

 managers predict the potential for 

 successful commercial and recreational 

 harvests. □ 



Marine Education Bibliography 



Teachers, nature guides and parents will find scores of publications to help 

 them educate young people — and themselves — about our planet's watery 

 environments in the fifth edition of Marine Education: A Bibliography of Educa- 

 tional Materials Available from the Nation's Sea Grant College Programs. The 

 booklet lists educational publications produced by the 29 Sea Grant programs and 

 research institutions. Included are books, brochures, educational guides, videos, 

 magazines, activity booklets and more. For a copy, send $2 to North Carolina Sea 

 Grant, NC State University, Box 8605, Raleigh, NC 27695-8605. □ 



A Reader 

 Responds 



I received my spring '98 

 issue of Coastwatch today. The 

 first article I read, "The Hook," 

 literally brought a tightness to 

 my throat and tears to my eyes. 

 Having grown up in the little 

 village of Marshallberg, and 

 having always seized any 

 opportunity that presented itself 

 to go to the Cape, I am familiar 

 with each landmark, feature 

 and way of life that Mr. Nickens 

 so faithfully and beautifully 

 described. It was moving to 

 read his descriptions of the 

 place, the people and the 

 heritage that are a part of the 

 very bones and spirit of those of 

 us fortunate enough to call this 

 beloved place home. 



Mr. Nickens saw not only 

 with his eyes, but with his heart. 

 I believe he has the soul of a 

 Down-Easter. Thank you, Mr. 

 Nickens, for the beauty of your 

 words and your insight. This is a 

 piece that I treasure and shall 

 keep always. 



Sincerely, 



Carolyn Mason, Beaufort 



If you want to comment on an article 

 or issue in Coastwatch, write 

 North Carolina Sea Grant, Box 

 8605, NC State University, Raleigh 

 NC2769S-8605. m 



COASTWATCH 



