SEPTEMBER  2026

New paper published on sea turtle nesting protections

Along many coastlines, offroad driving is permitted on beaches. This can lead to interference or harm to nesting sea turtles. A new paper (LINK) published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution reviews the history of beach driving interactions with sea turtle nests along the Outer Banks shoreline, along with associated regulations to protect turtles. 

​AUGUST 2026

Mackenzie Winterling joins the lab to research bivalves

Since the explosion of invasive blue catfish in Albemarle Sound, the benthic invertebrate community has yet to be examined. The primary prey of blue catfish in this system are bivalves, so the decline of filter feeding clams could be influencing water quality. Mackenzie Winterling, a visiting student from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, has joined our lab for this academic year to replicate a historic bivalve survey in the lower Chowan River. 

JULY 2026

Lily presents at CSI symposium

CSI hosts an annual symposium for the summer-undergraduate researchers to present their project results. Lily presented her summer research on the soundscapes of seagrass beds. Her work was based on multiple weeks of continuous acoustic recording in three, widely different seagrass beds in Pamlico Sound. She used the hydrophone pictured at right. See her poster here (LINK). 

MAY 2026

Lily joins the lab for a project on seagrass soundscapes 

The Fisheries Lab is hosting Lily Bertlshofer, a senior from the University of North Carolina, to conduct a research project on seagrass soundscape ecology in Pamlico Sound. Lily was awarded a scholarship to support her work through the UNC Outer Banks Field Site at CSI. She will be placing hydrophones in seagrass beds throughout the OBX region and examining acoustic recordings spanning multiple weeks in this important estuarine habitat.  

Cami and Andrew work with local classrooms

As part of the Shad in the Classroom program, Cami and Andrew worked with over 100 middle school and high school students in Duplin and Dare Counties. This program provides fish anatomy and dissection lessons for students, based around a culturally important group of anadromous fishes in northeast NC. ​

​Amelia wins research scholarship

To help support her research on black gill disease in shrimp, Amelia won a $1,000 scholarship from the Lerner-Gray Fund for Marine Research, through the American Museum of Natural History. The funds will help support her research on how the infection affects shrimp metabolism.

APRIL 2026

Jim presents to invasive species panel

The Gulf and South Atlantic Regional Panel (GSARP) on Aquatic Invasive Species helps coordinate efforts in the southeast U.S. against freshwater and marine invasives. Jim attended the spring GSARP meeting in South Carolina to present our research on the impacts of blue catfish in Albemarle Sound, NC. ​

Cami and Caid defend their M.S. theses

This month Cami defended her M.S. thesis on the trophic impacts of invasive blue catfish in Albemarle Sound. Also, Caid defended his M.S. thesis on long term changes in the species assemblage in Pamlico Sound. Both of their projects will help management efforts within this large, and rapidly changing, estuarine ecosystem. 

MARCH 2026

Fisheries Lab attends the annual Tidewater conference

Andrew and Jim attended the annual meeting for the Tidewater Chapter of the American Fisheries Society in Solomons Island, Maryland. Andrew presented his research on the value of oyster farms as estuarine habitat. Jim was recognized with a teaching and mentorship award. 

Amelia wins best student poster award

Amelia attended the joint annual conference with the Atlantic and Southeastern Estuarine Research Society in Morehead City, NC. She presented her research on black gill disease in shrimp and won the award for best student poster presentation.

FEBRUARY 2026

New paper published on sheepshead reproductive ecology

Sheepshead are a unique coastal fish along the southeast U.S. coast and have been growing in popularity among fishers. This new paper (LINK) in the journal Fisheries Research provides critical new information on the spawning aggregations formed by sheepshead on the NC coast and provides results on reproductive output.

JANUARY 2026

Jim presents at CSI's Science on the Sound

The Coastal Studies Institute hosts a monthly-evening seminar series that is focused on sharing scientific research with the general public. This month, Jim shared his lab's research on sheepshead, a coastal fish species that is popular among recreational anglers. The seminar can be viewed here (LINK). 

Spencer Hudson joins lab to research coastal inlets

Coastal inlet habitats are a critical movement corridor for fish and invertebrates between the ocean and estuary. However, there is little data on fish community passage through inlets. Spencer will be analyzing an acoustic imaging dataset of seasonal fish use of Oregon Inlet on the Outer Banks. Spencer graduated from UNCW and spent several years working on the water with NC Division of Marine Fisheries and also working on a commercial fishing boat. 

NOVEMBER 2025

Ray participates at science outreach event in Greenville

The Tar River Community Science Festival takes place annually in Greenville and is an opportunity for the public to interact with local scientists. Ray talked with people about the Coastal Studies Institute and his research on aquatic soundscapes. ​

Fisheries Lab represented at CERF Conference

The Coastal & Estuarine Research Federation (CERF) holds a biennial conference, bringing together scientists from across the country. The Fisheries Lab attended this year's event in Richmond, VA. Cami presented her research on invasive blue catfish. Andrew presented work on the impacts of inlet dredging. Ray and Jim presented work on the habitat function of oyster aquaculture. 

​OCTOBER 2025

Jim presents at water quality symposium

The Water Quality for Fisheries Symposium is an annual event hosted by the Coastal Carolina Riverwatch. The event brings together scientists, policy makers and stakeholders to discuss challenges and consider solutions to issues related to water quality in coastal North Carolina. Jim presented research on how invasive blue catfish might be contributing to water quality issues in Albemarle Sound, by consuming filter feeding bivalves.