A recording of the 2021 Coastal Microplastics Forum can be viewed HERE Presentations and resource materials can be viewed HERE What are microplastics? Did you know that the average person ingests 100,000 pieces of microplastic per year? That number doubles if you drink bottled water. Microplastics are in our coastal waters, rivers, lakes, drinking water and food.…
The Importance of Education This is an important time to raise the awareness of those who live and work along NC’s coast about resilience measures such as living shorelines. Our coastal habitats are proven to be effective in protecting our coastal communities from the worst of the impacts from frequent hurricanes, coastal storms, increasing boat…
The changing climate has made North Carolina more susceptible to storms, flooding, and rising temperatures. To combat these threats, the North Carolina Coastal Federation and Clean Air Carolina have petitioned the N.C. Environmental Management Commission to adopt a rule limiting carbon dioxide pollution from the electric power sector. The rule would enroll North Carolina in…
The Washington Baum Boating Access Area on Roanoke Island in Dare County now includes 6,903 square feet of permeable parking that allows rainwater to soak into the ground instead of flowing into Roanoake Sound. The Dare County Tourism Board funded the project that is part of an ongoing partnership between the Coastal Federation and N.C.…
The Protection Plan Stump Sound and the surrounding watershed have been valuable resources to the people of Onslow County for many generations. One of the most recognized and loved resources provided by the sound are the oysters grown within its waters. The inlets and creeks that feed Stump Sound have created the optimal mix of…
Seismic Survey and Offshore Drilling are not compatible with our coast. Seismic surveys are the first step in planning where offshore oil and gas exploration will occur. The ship pictured above is towing an airgun array used to produce seismic waves that propagate to the seafloor to locate oil and gas resources. If permitted,…
The Coastal Federation’s half-acre demonstration oyster lease (also known as an oyster farm) is located in Broad Creek, near their Wanchese office. The federation uses this demonstration site to educate people about oyster farming techniques, and show support for the state goal of increasing the oyster farming industry to a $100 M industry by 2030…
Added to the tons of debris along our coast are the many abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) that were scattered during hurricanes and tropical storms Matthew, Florence and Michael. The N.C. Division of Coastal Management, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission and the federation have assessed and documented abandoned vessels targeted for removal through several funding programs.…
In an unprecedented display of bipartisanship, the General Assembly passed SB 648 in 2019 adopting many of the strategy’s recommendations. The bill recognized the potential economic value of shellfish aquaculture in our state, especially as a future economic driver in uniquely economically stressed coastal regions. The bill also called for the development of a formal…
With the support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration and the Department of Commerce the North Carolina Coastal Federation has done a feasibility study to determine the most salient needs of the shellfish industry and propose a plan for addressing them. The ultimate goal is to reduce barriers to entry for new individuals interested in…
