. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. Aquarium Reopens at Fort Fisher Vis Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher can follow the "Waters of the Cape Fear" from the river's headwaters, across the Piedmont, through saltwater swamps and into open ocean waters. The aquarium reopened recently after a two-year makeover that tripled its size and broadened its scope. The Open Ocean Gallery features a 235,000-gallon "Cape Fear Shoal" that gives a spectacular view of nearly 500 saltwater creatures. Several times a day,
. Coast watch. Marine resources; Oceanography; Coastal zone management; Coastal ecology. Aquarium Reopens at Fort Fisher Vis Visitors to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher can follow the "Waters of the Cape Fear" from the river's headwaters, across the Piedmont, through saltwater swamps and into open ocean waters. The aquarium reopened recently after a two-year makeover that tripled its size and broadened its scope. The Open Ocean Gallery features a 235,000-gallon "Cape Fear Shoal" that gives a spectacular view of nearly 500 saltwater creatures. Several times a day, staff and volunteer divers clean and maintain the tank — and engage in conversation with visitors using a high-tech underwater communication system. The Coastal Waters Gallery provides close encounters with sea stars and horseshoe crabs, while the Masonboro Inlet Jetty showcases bluefish, red drum and other favorites of coastal anglers. In addition, the Cape Fear Conservatory — a newly added half-acre space — includes freshwater streams, ponds and waterfalls, as well as alligators, snakes, carnivorous plants and a variety of indigenous fish. The reopening of the aquarium marks the completion of two of the three aquarium expansion plans first approved by the General Assembly in 1993. The Roanoke Island facility reopened two years ago highlighting aquatic life of the upper coast. Expansion of the Pine Knoll Shores facility, which features coastal environments of the middle coast, has not begun. The aquariums are open daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day) from 9 am to 5 For information about events and programs at each location, go to UNGW Undersea Research Center Gets Funding The University of North Carolina at Wilmington has been awarded $2 million to continue a marine research program that features the nation's only underwater laboratory station. UNC-W's National Undersea Research Center (NURC) is one of six
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookcollectionunclibra, booksubjectoceanography
