AGE-FRIENDLY COMMUNITY
For Our Longer Lives
By Kathy Werle
The North Carolina Coastal Federation,
a partner in our quality of life
How much water does just one oyster clean in a day? That was the question Rachel
Bisesi, coastal education coordinator at the North Carolina Coastal Federation, asked
during the May 19 Third Thursday Forum at Four (TTFF) when she joined the forum
to share with attendees information about the many volunteer opportunities and events
available through the federation.
The mission of the federation is to protect and restore the water quality and critically
important natural habitats of the North Carolina coast by collaboration, advocacy,
restoration, education and information.
\The federation fulfills its mission in many ways. In addition to the clean-up
opportunities for volunteers, it offers citizens many interesting events, including
special birding cruises three times a year for up to 35 people, coastal cruises leaving
from Hammocks Beach, kayak and yoga trips to Jones Island, and summer camps.
Registration for these events is made simple by calling 393-8185. Sunset cruises may
be arranged for a group outing of up to 15 people by calling Sarah Williams at the Pine
Knoll Shores town hall at 247-4353, ext. 13.
The federation was established in 1982, and has expanded its services to three
locations and a staff of 27—and boasts 3,000 volunteers and 10,000 members. There are
30 serving on the Board of Directors, including our very own Sarah. The nearest office
is on Highway 24 in Ocean; others can be found in Wrightsville Beach and Wanchese.
Also participating at the forum, Bree Tillett, an environmental engineer and Coastal
Fellow with the federation, spoke about her work with our town staff on resolving storm
water runoff issues.
As part of an effort to improve habitat and water quality on the coast, the federation
partners with others to construct oyster reefs in estuaries. They are currently building
an oyster reef in Salter Path out of recycled oyster shells, which will create a habitat for
marine species, including oyster larvae, which will settle on the reef and begin filtering
and cleaning the water.
So, how much water does just one oyster clean in a day? Bob Danehy, one of the
attendees at the TTFF and an obviously informed observer of coastal activities, offered
the answer; 50 gallons.
The North Carolina Coastal Federation is an exceptional partner in our quality of
life, not only in town but also along our fragile coast. You may read more about the
federation and its volunteer opportunities on their website at nccoast.org.
The Age-Friendly Advisory Committee is grateful for the many speakers who have
given generously of their time and talent to bring topics of timely importance to our
forums and our citizens. As always, we are searching for topics of particular interest to
our citizens for future forums and welcome your suggestions so we all continue growing
healthier and smarter together.
Suggestions for future forums may be submitted to Sarah Williams at town hall at
SWilliams@townofpks.com or by calling 247-4353, ext. 13.
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By Richard Seale
Cobia, blue claw crabs and growing concerns
The Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has set forth Proclamation FF-25-2016. It
defines North Carolina’s proposed “compromise” regarding the NOAA South Atlantic
Fisheries Commission (SAFC) rules for cobia. As previously written, SAFC wanted
to close all cobia fishing as of June 1, 2016, for the rest of the calendar year. At the NC
Marine Fisheries Commission meeting in May, North Carolina set forth the following
rules, effective May 23, 2016, at 12:01 a.m.:
Recreational Season, Harvest and Size Limits:
a) Fish must be a minimum of yi inches. Fork Length. (Fork length is from the tip
of the mouth to the middle of the tail where it meets the body, not the end of the tail
fins.)
b) A recreational and a commercial limit cannot be combined on the same boat.
c) The season will close on September 30, 2016, but can be closed earlier by
proclamation.
For-Hire Vessels while engaged in for-hire operations:
a) It is unlawful to possess more than 4 cobia per vessel per day or 1 cobia per person
if less than 4 persons are on board.
b) Harvest will be allowed 7 days a week.
Private Vessels not engaged in for-hire operations:
a) It is unlawful to possess more than 2 cobia per vessel per day, or 1 cobia per person
if only 1 person is on board.
b) It is unlawful to possess cobia except on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Shore-based fishery:
a) It is unlawful to possess more than 1 cobia per person per day.
b) Harvest is allowed 7 days a week.
c) Reminder; the size must be 37 inches.
Commercial Harvest and Size Limit;
a) Minimum fork length must be 33 inches.
b) It is unlawful to possess more than 2 cobia per Standard Commercial Fishing
License.
c) Harvest is allowed 7 days a week.
I have written that there are many questions regarding the data reliability for all
the NOAA rules and lots of anger and frustration on all fronts. Take time to Google
“NC New Cobia Rules” and read some of the comment sites. The comments are
insightful.
(Continued on page 15)
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