. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. Shrimp boats bring in the state's most valuable see Kane and Jeffreys are hoping to find ways to reduce the bacterial content of the Rangia and improve its taste, shelf life and overall marketability. Scientists already know that estuaries are impor- tant as nursery grounds. It's there that many larval and juvenile forms of fish grow and develop into adults before returning to the sea. But how do seasonal and environmental variations affect the role of the estuary as a nursery? Biologist John Miller of NCS
. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. Shrimp boats bring in the state's most valuable see Kane and Jeffreys are hoping to find ways to reduce the bacterial content of the Rangia and improve its taste, shelf life and overall marketability. Scientists already know that estuaries are impor- tant as nursery grounds. It's there that many larval and juvenile forms of fish grow and develop into adults before returning to the sea. But how do seasonal and environmental variations affect the role of the estuary as a nursery? Biologist John Miller of NCSU hopes to begin answering at least part of that question. This year Miller is looking at the seasonal abundance of croaker, spot and related fish in the Pamlico River estuary and how their distribution relates to such environmental factors as depth and vegetation. In some cases weather can be the critical factor in fish survival. Last year a deadly combination of a cold winter and wet spring nearly decimated North Carolina's shrimp fishery. Total catches were down by nearly two-thirds from previous years. Despite the disastrous season, shrimp continues to be the state's most valuable seafood crop. And as the stakes get higher, so do the fishing pressures. But deciding how to manage this valuable resource isn't easy. For example, premature opening of the fishing seasons can spell disaster. Biostatistician George Fishman of UNC-CH believes that it is possible to predict both the biologic and economic effects of various shrimp management policies. Fishman is developing a prediction model that will help resource agencies in North Carolina and elsewhere make bet- ter management decisions. The model will take into account the biology and behavior of shrimp as well as the geographic, social and economic character of the North Carolina fishery. There are 23 species of colonial waterbirds that nest in North Carolina. For most people these birds are simply fun to watch and photograph. B
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookcollectionunclibra, booksubjectoceanography
