N.C. DOC 



CLEARIN 



contents 



OCT 17 1995 



Features 



N.C. STATE LIBRARY 

 RALEIGH 



Page 6 



Page 14 



Cycles of Nature 



As the season of summer ripens, a swash of color and 

 maturity envelops the coastal landscape. To many, the onset 

 of autumn unveils the year's finest view of the seashore. The 

 fall migrations of fish, birds and butterflies and the brilliant 

 hues of the marsh are the most visible. But you might miss 

 the metamorphoses of the sea nettle and the lion's mane. Or 

 the egg-laying of the knobbed whelk and marbled salamander. 

 Coastwatch writer Rachel Wharton takes readers on a seasonal 

 tour of the conspicuous and the covert 2 



North Carolina Dolphin Log: 

 Volunteers On-Call 



Staff writer Larisa Tatge looks at one of North Carolina's 

 most alluring inhabitants — the dolphin — from an array of 

 perspectives. First, she introduces readers to a group of folk 

 who are willing to wake at all hours of the night for this all- 

 important marine mammal. The Marine Mammal Stranding 

 Network is a cast of devoted, highly trained volunteers who'll 

 drop everything to answer a stranding call. In companion 

 stories, Tatge provides tips for watching dolphins from our 

 shores, outlines the federal law that protects these creatures 

 and describes a recent research project to tag and release 

 bottlenose dolphins in North Carolina 6 



Limited Entry: 



A Fisheries Management Option 



When the sale of new commercial fishing licenses came 

 to a halt in July 1994, the state gave itself a two-year breather 

 to take stock. Under the leadership of N.C. Sea Grant, the 

 state is in the midst of a comprehensive examination of 

 fisheries issues. Also under the microscope is a potential new 

 management option known as limited entry. Coastwatch editor 

 Kathy Hart describes the concept and illustrates its successful 

 application in other U.S. states and abroad 14 



Wetlands from Test Tubes 



The solution to restoring wetlands may stem from the 

 same technique that puts begonias in the garden and peace 

 lilies on the patio. In the laboratory, Sea Grant scientists are 

 rapidly multiplying native seagrasses and marsh plants in test 

 tubes. Coastwatch editor Carla Burgess explains this powerful 

 technology that may help repair and even improve marine 

 environments 18 



Departments 



Coastal Commentary 

 Aft Deck 



21 



22 



Readers Talk 



24 



COASTWATCH 1 



