Carolina Salt Spring / Early Summer 2021 by Will Ashby

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Inside This Issue your life on the Crystal Coast

08 OWLS: Masters of the Sky! The Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter doesn’t often get a Northern Gannet, but when they do, it’s usually in big trouble. A Good Samartian recently rescued a wash-ashore, and it was touch-and-go!

10 Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food: Local Farmers Markets The disruption and confusion of Covid-19 brought

8 WILDLIFE SHELTER: Masters of the Sky!

Spring /Early Summer ON THIS MONTH’S COVER

Finally the cold weather is easing off and we’re welcoming the arrival of spring and summer to the Crystal Coast. We hope to all enjoy a fun and safe summer season in 2021!

with it an unexpected element: a new tendency to shop local, and a fresh interest in how our food is processed and handled. Farmers to the rescue!

12 Fitness: More Than Just Looking Good When taking on a fitness program, what are

your goals? What is your focus? What are your challenges? Getting into the right headspace before you begin is very important to success.

40 Know Before You Go: Beach Safety Public Awareness Danny Shell is celebrating the success of the new

Know Before You Go program to help prevent tragedies in the water on our beaches this summer. Many area businesses are participating.

LOCAL INTEREST

Rebecca’s Corner. . ....................................... 12 Ask The Aquarium.. ...................................... 13 10 FARMERS MARKETS Learn more about our local farmers markets, with schedules

40 BEACH SAFETY 2021 Know Before You Go is helping keep our beaches safe in 2021

Island Church Perpective.. ............................. 16 Hooked Up Fishing...................................... 17 Diving Our Coast.. ........................................ 18

CarolinaSalt.com » Spring / Early Summer 2021 CAROLINA SALT 5

PUBLISHER

WILL ASHBY C R E AT I V E D I R E C TO R

C H E V Y K AY LO R B E C O M E A C O N T R I BU TO R

Submit your letters to the editor, photos, community listings and articles to will@carolinasalt.com. The editorial deadline for the next issue is July 16. The next issue publishes August 7.

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Thank you for picking up Carolina Salt magazine, all about our life here on the Crystal Coast. Our articles are written by locals. Every month we look to our readers to keep our magazine fresh. If you have a story to tell, an event to promote or an interesting local photograph, send them our way. Participation is welcomed and appreciated. Reader contributions are the founding principle of the magazine. If you like what you see, tell people about it— especially our advertisers. For questions, concerns or more information, send e-mail to will@carolinasalt.com or call 252-723-7628. For up-to-date info, be sure to look us up on Facebook!

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FOL LOW U S ON S O C I A L M E DI A FOR EV E N TS & DA I LY S PEC I A L S

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Masters of the Sky!

e don’t see them often, but when we do, they’re in big trouble. The only reasons a Northern Gannet comes ashore are injury, illness, starvation or blown off course during a storm. When one becomes too weak or unable to fly, it will float on the ocean until the tide carries it to shore. Northern Gannets are the largest indigenous seabird in the North Atlantic with wingspans of 68–70 inches and weighing 6 to 8 pounds. They spend most of their lives at sea. This magnificent pelagic seabird is known for its gorgeous pale blue eyes accentuated by a ring of bare, bluish-black skin and contrasting snow white body with black wing tips. It is strikingly beautiful! One might think that the Gannet is closely related to a gull, but they are seabirds comprising the genus Morus in the family Sulidae which is closely related to Boobies. Gannets are among the world’s most renowned divers, truly “masters of the sky,” who descend from heights up to 130 feet as they plunge into the ocean like an arrow at over 60 miles per hour. Most of the world’s population of Northern Gannets breeds off the coasts of Great Britain and Scotland, but there will be random groups of Gannets wintering off North Carolina’s coast. Occasionally, a Gannet will be admitted to the Outer Banks Wildlife Shelter (OWLS) in Newport and upon receipt of the bird, we know it will be a touch-and-go situation. Recently, that was the case when a Good Samaritan rescued a beached adult Gannet that had discarded fishing line wrapped around its beak. During the examination, we were thankful there was no line going into his gullet. The staff at OWLS removed the offending trash and commenced emaciation protocol. That poor seabird was 600 grams below normal weight for an adult. Gannets are known for a voracious appetite. They eat very large quantities of fish during a feeding. This Gannet was starving to death due to his beak being literally tied shut. Gannets eat sardines, anchovies, haddock, smelt, Atlantic cod and the young of larger fish species. They dive into the sea with their wings and feet retracted and tucked tightly against their body. The Gannet has highly developed lungs, secondary nostrils inside their mouths that close rather than external nostrils and a long, strong sternum protecting their internal organs when impacting the water. These features are perfect for the high speed and deep diving they are capable of. They also have a subcutaneous fat layer, dense down and tightly overlapping feathers that help them withstand low temperatures. Reduced blood flow in the webbing on their feet also helps maintain their body temperature when they swim. A Gannet’s feathers enjoy a higher level of waterproofing than other seabirds that need to dry out between foraging sessions. Gannets breed in large colonies along the Atlantic and boaters have witnessed spectacular displays of hundres of Gannets plunge diving for fish. Once beneath the water, it uses its wings and feet to swim in pursuit of a meal. They grab food with their long, strong, conical bill and always eat it underwater—they never fly with a fish in their bill. Northern Gannets nest offshore and most often, nests are found tucked into inaccessible cliffs. Some breeding colonies are recorded as being located in the same place for hundreds of years. A Gannet’s nest is definitely a testament to the value of recycling as it is constructed of compacted mud, seaweed, grasses, feathers and their own waste! The males usually collect the materials necessary for nest building. Off the coast of North Carolina, because cliffs are not available, Northern Gannets will nest on islands or flat surfaces, however, they find it more difficult to take off from these locations which requires them to often cross an area occupied by an adjacent nesting area and that can cause stress and aggression from the pair occupying a trespassed nest. Despite being a little nasty toward one another, Gannets always nest close together. Northern Gannets will lay only one egg. Incubation occurs under the webbing of their feet, flooded with warming blood. An infant can take up to 36 hours to break through the thick eggshell. At this time, the adult will release the egg from its feet to prevent the egg from breaking under the adult’s massive weight. Northern Gannets learn the hard way in their first breeding year that if they aren’t cautious about that, the chick may die. While flying muscles comprise 20 percent total weight for most seabirds, Northern Gannets’ flying muscles are less than 13 percent, which demands they warm up before flying and that they calculate and rely on the wind, especially wind produced by the front of a wave. Bobbing in the water is also a safer place for a youngster to be than risk accidently tripping into Gannet breeding ground. They are not sturdy on their feet as land walkers due to the location of their legs so far back on the body. Gannets are swimmers and flyers, not walkers! The young have a fat reserve, allowing them to go without eating for up to two weeks, but don’t worry; the parents are still close by for further fishing and flying training. The maximum lifespan known for a Northern Gannet is 35 years. Adult Gannets are not heavily preyed upon, but when it happens at sea, an eagle, shark or seal is usually the culprit. If you ever get the rare opportunity to see Northern Gannets, savor that momentary visual gift of these “masters of the sky,” because it may never happen again! € CAROLINA SALT Spring / Early Summer 2021 » CarolinaSalt.com

A Good Samaritan rescued a beached adult Gannet with fishing line wrapped around its beak. This Gannet was starving to death due to his beak being literally tied shut. Gannets are renowned divers, “masters of the sky,” diving from heights up to 130 feet as they plunge into the ocean at over 60 miles per hour.

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SATURDAY FARMERS MARKETS, 9AM–1PM March 13, 27 April 10, 24 May 8, 22, 29 June 5, 19 July 3, 17, 31 Aug 14, 28 Sept 4 Plus Every Tuesday 3-7p.m.

SATURDAY ARTS MARKETS, 9AM–3PM March 6, 20 April 3, 17 May 1, 15, 29 June 12, 26 July 3, 10, 24th Aug 7, 21 Sept 4 Every Sunday 10 a.m–3 p.m.

OTHER AREA MARKETS OLDE BEAUFORT FARMERS MARKET (includes both Farmers and Artists) Carteret County Courthouse Square, Beaufort Every Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. April through November NEW BERN FARMERS MARKET (includes both Farmers and Artists) 421 South Front Street, New Bern Saturdays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Year-Round ONSLOW COUNTY FARMERS MARKET (includes both Farmers and Artists) 4024 Richlands Highway Every Saturday through November

10 CAROLINA SALT Spring / Early Summer 2021 » CarolinaSalt.com

t the onset of Covid-19 in early 2020, there was so much confusion and fear. We were told to stay at home, to only go out for essentials. We were told to wear masks and gloves, to wash our hands often. We sanitized everything, took off our shoes before going into our houses, changed and washed our clothes after each outing to the grocery store. We wiped down and sanitized our grocery items before we put them away. We stayed inside. Everything that wasn’t essential closed and we shut down. Products that we take for granted became commodities and flour and other food items were suddenly hard to find. We became gardeners, bakers, school teachers and learned how to Zoom. With all of these strict guidelines, an unforeseen element stepped to the forefront: we began to support and shop with our local stores. We ordered from our local small restaurants and small businesses for everything from vegetable plants to kayaks. We began to see the importance that our local small businesses had in our communities. We ordered what we wanted, and it was delivered to our homes or we picked up curbside. Farmers and farmers markets were deemed essential. We masked up and put our gloves on and went to our local farmers markets. We shopped outside, maintained a 6-foot distance and had conversations with people other than our immediate family. We bought locally grown produce, pasture-raised meats and amazing baked goods. We started asking the farmers how they were growing their food, how they raised their livestock. We knew our farmers by name and where their farms were located. We trusted the food that we were buying. It became important to us that the food we bought was handled only once: by the farmer. Not from the large farms where a field worker harvested the produce, another worker sorted the produce, another worker packaged the produce and then shipped to the large stores where more people unpacked and displayed the produce. And then how many more hands touched the produce as they shopped. We look forward to our Saturday farmers markets. Farmers markets have always been around, but not until Covid have they gained so much popularity. We have a new or renewed respect for our local farmers. We have tasted the difference in a store bought tomato and a local field tomato. We know a little more about what “free-range, pasture-raised and grass-fed” means and why it is so much better for us. We have a better understanding of what sustainable farming is and how local farmers are using sustainable practices to make the most of their land, yet leaving it better than when they started. Farmers markets gave us a since of community that was missing during Covid. We are able to see and talk (at 6-foot distance) to our friends and neighbors. Farmers Market Saturdays give us something to look forward to. We plan our meals around what our local farmers brought to market. We are eating vegetables we may not have heard of before and are learning how to cook them. We are eating healthier and are supporting local small farmers. The Market at Cedar Point, located at 1046 Cedar Point Boulevard in Cedar Point, has been hosting a free local farmers market every other Saturday for a few years. Itt showcases local farmers from Carteret

The Market at Cedar Point, located at 1046 Cedar Point Boulevard in Cedar Point, has been hosting a free local food and health farmers market every other Saturday for a few years. It showcases local farmers from Carteret and Onslow Counties. The market has added an arts market on off Saturdays, and, starting in April, will be opening Tuesday afternoons from 3-7 p.m. for food and health vendors and Sundays for arts and crafts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Onslow Counties and is a farm, food and health market only, with no arts and crafts vendors. On Farmers Market Saturdays you can find local produce farmers, livestock and chicken farmers, bakers, fisherman, hemp farmers, hydroponic farmers, local goat cheeses, elderberry products, all-natural soaps, flowers and plants, homemade salsas, pork skins, jellies and jams, sweet Thai chili sauce and anything dealing with farm, food and health. In 2020, The Market at Cedar Point also added an arts market on the “off Saturdays”

to help the local artisans and crafters that were left with no venues to sell their wares as the larger festivals were being canceled due to the Covid guidelines. Some of these vendors depend solely on festivals for their livelihood. The market had an empty field every other Saturday and decided to invite them to set up at no charge. Now on any given Saturday you can find something going on at The Market at Cedar Point. Food trucks are always lined up along the front of the parking lot. Whether it is Farmers Market Saturday or Arts and Crafts Market Saturday, you are sure to find

25 or more vendors to meet and shop with. Safety is still an utmost concern for the vendors and patrons. Face masks are required while shopping at either market and the 6-foot social distance is highly recommended. Starting in April 2021 you can also shop with local farmers and other food and health vendors every Tuesday afternoon from 3 to 7 p.m. Also starting in April you can shop with local artists and crafters every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you ate today, remember to thank a farmer! Shop local, shop small! €

your life on the Crystal Coast WE DEPEND ON OUR READERS! CALL 252-723-7628 IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN SUBMITTING AN ARTICLE OR PHOTO.

CarolinaSalt.com » Spring / Early Summer 2021 CAROLINA SALT 11

Fitness: More Than Just Looking Good JAYME LIMBAUGH AND PAULINE SHIVER CO-OWNERS OF CRYSTAL COAST WELLNESS AND PERFORMANCE

AND CRYSTAL COAST CANCER REHAB CENTER

hen you hear the word fitness what comes to mind? Maybe you pictured some type of exercise, like CrossFit or running. Or maybe you imagined someone strong, lean and healthy. Either way, the image is ultimately one of being physically fit and healthy. In all likelihood, if I asked you to describe fitness you would do so in terms of looking good - well defined muscles, little to no excess body fat, healthy skin and hair. The problem with this way of looking at fitness is that many of us give up before we even start because we don’t believe that we can ever achieve “fitness.” BY REBECCA JONES AUTHOR OF ‘LOVE BRINGS YOU HOME’ & OTHER BOOKS

n any given day you never know what boat, ship or yacht might appear at the Beaufort waterfront docks. On a beautiful blue-sky day, I was at the waterfront when a large white yacht with wooden inlay came into the dock. The vessel was “Arriva”—a 156-foot custom motor yacht that was built by Turquoise in Turkey. With five cabins (a master suite, one VIP stateroom, one double cabin and two twin cabins) she can also carry up to 9 crew members. I found out that Arriva was previously owned by Johnny Depp; now owned by JK Rowling. The yacht was for sale for $20 million. It was also available to be leased for one week for $130,000 plus expenses. Being such an expensive vessel and valuable to someone, the dock hands immediately hit the docks while the crew in the yacht began to communicate to them in order to dock without harming the vessel. I watched as several men with walkie-talkies were all over that yacht communicating with those on the ground. Any sudden movement would damage the vessel. Both men on the yacht and men on the ground at the dock talked them through to dock the yacht to safety. I thought about what the bible says about vessels. 2nd Timothy 2:21 says, “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” God is not looking for gold vessels or silver vessels or even beautiful yacht vessels. He is looking for willing vessels. Though we may feel we are like a broken vessel we must remember that vessels in the hands of a divine Potter can do great things in His name. I have also learned the hard way that when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere. I love the story of the prodigal son. Jesus told the story to make a simple point. Never mind what you have done, just come home. We are not to be afraid as we are sailing our ship. God is there to direct us home safely. €

12 CAROLINA SALT Spring / Early Summer 2021 » CarolinaSalt.com

THE GOAL What if I told you that fitness is more than just looking good? Would you be more willing to pursue fitness if the focus was no longer on looking good but feeling good? Fitness is so much more than looking good. It’s moving well and moving often. It’s being able to perform daily activities without struggling. It’s being able to walk up and down the stairs in your home or get up off the floor without needing help. It’s being able to take care of yourself. Ultimately, fitness is independence.

THE FOCUS Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with wanting to look good. Everyone wants to look good (I know I do!) but looking good doesn’t equal good health. No matter how good you look, if you can’t move the way you want to move or do the things you want to do how fit are you really? The beauty of shifting the focus of fitness from looking good to feeling your best is that fitness changes with you. As you move through different phases of life your priorities will change and feeling your best will mean something different, but it will always be attainable. Fitness will never be out of reach when you look at it through the lens of feeling your best instead of looking your best.

THE CHALLENGE My challenge to you this year is to shift your focus from looking good to feeling your best. Think about what phase of life you are currently in and what your priorities are at this time. With this in mind, ask yourself what feeling your best looks like. Now you know what fitness looks like for you right now in this moment. Sure, it’s going to change over time but right now this is what you need to focus on to reach the level of fitness perfect for you. Keep striving but never lose focus! €

NCAQUARIUMS.COM/PINE-KNOLL-SHORES

ASK THE AQUARIUM

ASK the AQUARIUM

My grandson was snorkeling in Florida and saw what his instructor called a

nudibranch. It was purple and yellow and very small. What are nudibranchs, and do we have them in North Carolina?

Marine slugs and snails are gastropods, a word that literally means “stomach foot.”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOE POE FOR NC AQUARIUMS

about the

AQ UA R I U M Information provided by the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. The state operates three public aquariums; one in Pine Knoll Shores, another at Fort Fisher and a third on Roanoke Island, as well as Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head. The facilities are administered by the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources and are designed to inspire appreciation and conservation of North Carolina’s aquatic environments. —F O R M O R E I N F O —

For more information, call 1-800-832-FISH or visit ncaquariums.com.

Nudibranchs (noo-dee-bronks) are shell-less mollusks in the sea slug family. Their splendid colors and shapes belie their unappealing family namesake. More than 3,000 species are known throughout the world’s oceans and new species continue to be discovered. Nudibranch means “naked gill,” referring to the animal’s external, feathery, sometimes plume-like gills. These aquatic creatures are slow movers that meander amid corals, sponges and shallow-water reefs. Some, like graceful sea hares, have wing-like flaps for swimming. Nudibranchs come in all shapes and sizes—flat, thick, long or short—and most exhibit two highly sensitive tentacles on their head. Nudibranchs range in size from less than an inch to more than 12 inches in length. They are hermaphroditic and can mate with any other mature member of their species. Some live less than a month and others up to a year. Most nudibranchs are carnivorous, feasting on sponges, anemones, bryozoans, corals—and even each other. Others have diets ranging from bacteria to plants. Many carnivorous varieties feed on stinging animals like hydroids, jellyfish and anemones and store the stinging cells in their body to serve as a defense against predators. Others produce a distasteful, noxious secretion that makes them unpalatable to would-be attackers. Not all nudibranchs come in vibrant colors, but even they are equally remarkable for their amazing ability to disguise themselves to match the plants and animals on which they live. In 2003, a new species of nudibranch was captured in a photo by diver and underwater photographer Sandy Smith. Smith spied the small snail grazing in a mass of sargassum weed off Cape Lookout. The nudibranch’s coloration was a brilliant yellow, hot orange and butterscotch to match the sargassum on which it lived. Smith earned the privilege of giving the new species a common name, aptly dubbing it “Butterfinger” (Polycera chilluna). Discover more fascinating facts about North Carolina’s aquatic environments and inhabitants by visiting the aquariums on Roanoke Island, at Fort Fisher and at Pine Knoll Shores, or Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head €

CarolinaSalt.com » Spring / Early Summer 2021 CAROLINA SALT 13

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A MOMENT OF REFLECTION

PAUL ORTIZ

NEW YEAR, NEW DIRECTION AN ISLAND CHURCH PERSPECTIVE

I am sure a great many of you will agree it has been a hard season of life; whether it has been as a result of Covid-19, a tough economy, a polarizing political season, family difficulty, etc. Whatever the reason, you get it! I was recently brought to tears after watching a documentary on the life of a man named Pii Chui who left his homeland of Burma because of the ongoing civil war there. He along with a great many people of his nation migrated to Thailand to seek refuge during this civil war his nation has been experiencing for over 20 years. Pii was a Christian. As a result of his faith in Jesus Christ, he was looked down upon by his parents. They were upset because he was no longer Buddhist. He faced ridicule from his family over his faith. Having to leave his homeland seven years ago with his wife and young son to a country in which they could live, but not have the ability to become citizens was difficult. They would live as outcasts, but at least they would live without the violence of war. Pii and his wife would move regularly because they were not allowed to stay in one place for very long due to expansion of housing communities for citizens of Thailand. He and his family live in a self-made shack, that can be taken down easily for mobility as necessary. Pii supported his family while in this foreign country by working construction building homes in new subdivisions. While he was not experienced in this area of work, Pii prayed to God for help in learning new skills and becoming proficient. Being a Christian in a country where following Christ is looked down upon, Pii is often made fun of. He is mocked and even at times called Jesus. Despite this, Pi works hard and strives to be a witness of Christ-work in his life to those around him. At the close of the documentary, Pii and his family are being forced to dismantle their shack and move once again to make way for a new housing community. He and his small family are packing up their little belongings onto small bucket wagons they will pull themselves to whatever location they can find to setup again. Pii hopes that one day, he and his family will be able to go back to their home country, but even if they are not able to; Pii has committed in his heart that God has placed him exactly where he wants him to be. Pii has peace and hope in his heart because of the gospel and the impact it has had in his life. He is content with his circumstances because his hope is in God. He understands with his life this very Scripture: “I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” [PHILIPPIANS 4:12-13 NIV]

Pii realizes even if he does not make it back to his country of Burma and remains a foreigner in another country, he will be able to bear whatever comes his way because of the hope he has in Christ. He is fully aware that no matter what happens on this earth, he is a citizen of heaven and because of that truth, he is filled with joy and peace despite his circumstance. Can you say the same? That no matter what happens to you, around you or in the world you live in; can you have joy and peace in every circumstance? This is what the Bible teaches about trusting in the Lord: The Lord watches over those who obey him, those who trust in his constant love. “He saves them from death; he keeps them alive in times of famine. We put our hope in the Lord; he is our protector and our help. We are glad because of him; we trust in his holy name. May your constant love be with us, Lord, as we put our hope in you.” [PSALM 33:18-22 GNT] In times like these, there is one place you can find joy and peace everlasting. Pii found this everlasting joy and peace that is the free gift of God in Jesus Christ. Despite a life of hardship, he dedicates every opportunity he has been given to bring glory to God. He has found what it means to be content and he has found it in God. Today, I encourage you to find your joy, peace and hope no matter the circumstances of life. Turn to Jesus! €

16 CAROLINA SALT Spring / Early Summer 2021 » CarolinaSalt.com

THE ISLAND CHURCH PASTOR PAUL ORTIZ

Paul Ortiz is a follower of Jesus Christ, not religion. A husband and father, he is pastor of The Island Church in Emerald Isle. Reach him at paul@TheIslandChurchEI.org

CAPTAIN JEFF CRONK

HOOKED UP FISHING REPORT

SPRING INTO FISHING A H O O K E D U P L O O K AT W H AT ’ S B I T I N G I N S P R I N G

ell, what else is there to say. Go fill up your fuel tank, spool up your rods, tie on a few new baits and spring into fishing. That’s what I’ll be doing this month. March 20 marks the beginning of spring this season and there will be some serious inshore and nearshore opportunities available for those ready to brave the traditionally tough conditions. Regardless of weather, April is a time of change. The length of day is getting longer, water temperatures are rising and many animals (including a variety of fish) begin their spring migration patterns. Along the Crystal Coast that means the fishing heats up. So get on the water and scout out the opportunities our marine environment has to offer!

SPRING BITE INSHORE!

Dr. Fred Dressler with a 24-inch Redfish caught in a creek in Morehead City in early spring.

Capt. Jeff Cronk with a 25-inch Redfish in a creek off Bogue Sound in early spring.

FISH’N 4 LIFE CAPTAIN JEFF CRONK

leads fishing and nature charters on the Crystal Coast. To get out on the water with him, call 910-325-8194. You can also visit him online at nccharterfishing.com. youtube.com/user/carolinafishingtv

During spring, anglers can expect the inshore waters to continue to offer many chances to hook up with Speckled Trout, Redfish and some Stripers in our coastal rivers and along the Crystal Coast. The water temps will be making a steady climb from the upper 50s into the upper 60s throughout April. The result will come in the form of some hungry fish easing out of their winter slumber to appease their increased metabolism. The first areas to heat up will be our creeks in our rivers and along the mainland side of the sounds. These warming waters will begin to attract our wintering populations of speckled trout and puppy drum as they attempt to feed upon the surfacing schools of peanut pogies, scattered finger mullets, mud minnows and crabs. Due to the large amount of “turd moss” or slimy green algae that will be covering much of the high salinity bays during spring, anglers can better target Reds by setting up a Carolina rig or fish finder rig and rigging it with a Gulp shrimp, frozen shrimp, cut mullet or some fresh blue crab. By casting this rig and letting it rest on the bottom in an area holding redfish, anglers can avoid constantly getting their bait covered in slime. If you prefer to cast artificial baits, I would suggest working a top water bait such as a Top Dog or a Zara Spook or a 5 to 6-inch Berkley Gulp jerk shad in the New Penny or Smelt color rigged on a weightless to 1/16-oz. worm hook. Anglers wanting to target speckled trout this spring will do well to head into the mouth of the creeks off the rivers, as well as structure such as grass flats and oyster beds in our sounds behind the beaches. There will be trout moving from deeper water in the rivers to the shallower, warmer creeks and shores as well as trout coming back into the sounds from the ocean. Some of the best baits for the Spring trout bite are Berkley’s 4-inch Gulp Shrimp, 4-inch Smelt minnow, the Storm Shrimp, Billy Bays Perfect Sinker Shrimp, Mirrolure’s MR 17 and 3 to 4-inch top water baits like the Zara Spook. If you’re looking for some non-stop action and variety on some smaller pan frying fish you can focus your efforts in the deep water around the inlets or the mouth of the rivers. There will be plenty of bottom fish such as sea mullet, croakers, blowfish, bluefish, hogfish, grey trout, sting rays and more that can be targeted with a simple double hook bottom rig and fresh or frozen shrimp. As we phase into late spring and early summer we will see a greater number of redfish moving into our backwaters along with flounder, sheephead, bluefish, black drum and more.

SPRING NEARSHORE BITE! As the surf water temperatures reach 60 degrees by early April, we will begin to see schools of bluefish showing up around the inlets and near shore live bottoms along with large schools of false albacore and Bonito. This spring run nearshore variety will be feeding voraciously and will strike most 3 to 4-inch metal jigs such as Big Nics Spanish Candy jigs or soft plastic shiner imitations such as Berkley’s five inch jerk shad. To locate these fish, anglers should look for flocks of small white terns hovering frantically just a few feet above the water’s surface. Always approach these surfacing fish slowly and cast a few yards ahead of the school. Use a fast retrieve with an occasional pop or twitch to the rod tip. The heavier 1-1/2 to 2-oz. metal jigs can also be vertically jigged from the bottom to the surface in areas holding fish down deep. Both a Bonito and False Albacore’s strike is swift, hard and their run is high speed. It’s important to keep the rod bent and the drag light to avoid unwanted break-offs. The False Albacore are not good table fare and you’ll want to avoid gaffing them but, rather grasp them by their forked tail and release them quickly after they are de-hooked. The Bonito, on the other hand, are excellent eating. They both look very similar but, the easiest way to tell the difference is the stripes along their sides and very prominent sharp teeth of the Bonito. False Albacore have broken blotches along their sides and super fine bristle like teeth. Regardless of where you focus your fishing effort this spring, always be safe and courteous to other boaters and please treat our marine resource with respect as you enjoy this wonderful gift. €

CarolinaSalt.com » Spring / Early Summer 2021 CAROLINA SALT 17

DISCOVERY DIVING

LEE MOORE

DIVING OUR COAST W H AT ’ S U N D E RWAT E R I N S U M M E R

he summer months are going to see the water temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s on the offshore and inshore wrecks. Even though the Gulf Stream is over 50 miles off of the coast, it does bring warm, blue water to the offshore wrecks. It is not uncommon to see 70, 80 and even 100 feet of visibility on the wrecks of the Crystal Coast. Game fish start to appear on the wrecks around the beginning of May. As the water warms up, the tropical fish should start to appear on the wrecks by the end of July. The diversity of marine life in combination with the wrecks are what draw divers from around the world to the Crystal Coast.

THE WRECK OF U-352 The most widely known wreck off of the Crystal Coast is the U-352, the first U-boat to be sunk by the U.S. Coast Guard in World War II. On May 9, 1942, the U-352 was sunk by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Icarus. North Carolina has four U-boats off of the coast, but the U-352 is the only one that can be dove in warm water. The U-352 is a 218 foot long Type VII-C German U-Boat that lies in 115 feet of water 26 miles southeast of Beaufort Inlet. It usually takes about an hour and forty-five minutes to reach this dive site after leaving the inlet. The conning tower rises to 90 feet and the main part of the U-352 is at 100 feet. The bow is cracked so the forward torpedo tubes are exposed, partially from the initial depth charging and partially from the effects of time. The U-352 rests on its starboard side at a 45-degree angle. The outer hull has deteriorated away in some places, but the supporting ribs are still in place and the inner pressure hull is still intact. The structure surrounding the stern section began to weaken in 2011 and can be moved by hand. There can be moderate currents on the U-352, so it is best to swim into the current on the first part of the dive and let the current bring you back to the anchor line. The inside of the U-352 is filled with silt, which can easily reduce a diver’s visibility to zero. Penetration of the U-352 should not be attempted. There is plenty to see on the outside of the U-352.

MARINE LIFE: SAND TIGER SHARKS Divers also come to the Crystal Coast to see the marine life, in particular, Sand Tiger Sharks. These docile creatures are found consistently on a number of our wrecks. The Spar, Aeolus, Caribsea, Atlas and Papoose have a resident shark population. While diving on the other wrecks, divers shouldn’t be surprised by the occasional Sand Tiger passing through. Sand Tigers are identified by two nearly equal dorsal fins and a mouthful of long, jagged teeth. They are the only shark that comes to the surface to gulp air and stores it in its stomach to maintain their buoyancy. It is not uncommon to find a Sand Tiger laying on the bottom because they don’t have to be constantly moving like other sharks. They are grayish brown or tan on the upper part of their body and paler to white on the lower part of their body. The juveniles have dark spots from the middle of their side to their tail, which will fade as they get older. Sand Tigers average 6½ to 10½ feet in length, with some reported up to 14 feet in length.

LEARN MORE ABOUT DIVING If you are interested in learning about the wrecks of the Crystal Coast, the SOBX Wreck Diver Class gives you that opportunity or if you would like to learn more about Sand Tiger Sharks, the Shark Awareness Class lets you learn about them and other sharks. Contact Discovery Diving at dive@discoverydiving.com, 252-728-2265 or like us on Facebook to see what classes and events are coming up in the near future. €

18 CAROLINA SALT Spring / Early Summer 2021 » CarolinaSalt.com

JOIN DISCOVERY CONTACT

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ALBY AFTER SCHOOL Camp Albemarle has started a new nature-based afterschool program, Alby After School! This new program helps students gain confidence and strong interpersonal skills through time connecting with God's beautiful creation. Kindergarten through 5th-grade students spend time exploring Camp Albemarle's beautiful acreage, encountering our surrounding ecosystems, receiving homework help, participating in hands-on learning and camp activities like sailing, archery, teach building, and tree climbing. Transportation to the program is offered for students who attend Bogue Sound Elementary, Newport Elementary, and White Oak Elementary Schools.

NATURE SCHOOL Nature School at Camp Albemarle is an outdoor school where children learn and play outside, rain or shine, using an emergent, child-led, seasonally focused curriculum to teach children about God through the wonder of his creation. We currently serve students from the age of 3-14 and offer 2, 3, and 5 day classes. In the fall of 2021, the growth will continue as we add on a private elementary school serving grades K-4th in a full-day program of learning and exploration.

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Know Before You Go NC A BEACH SAFETY PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION INITIATIVE

40 CAROLINA SALT Spring / Early Summer 2021 » CarolinaSalt.com

ey friends and neighbors! The year of 2020 was fraught with much uncertainty, heartache and grief forcing many of us, including me, to focus on our blessings of which we count many to be! Reflecting upon the unknown ahead we would have been remiss by not mentioning the spirit and selflessness of our community both locally and across the bridges on each end of our island. During 2020, our beach was much safer thanks to town officials, and especially our fire department lifeguard operations. In October, our Emerald Isle Fire Department (EIFD) Ocean Rescue operation was featured in the American Lifeguard magazine published by the United States Lifesaving Association, (USLA.) This quarterly publication reaches well over 10,000 ocean rescue operations members interested in contemporary ocean rescue advancements— and Emerald Isle had much to share. Congratulations to Chief Walker and the entire EIFD staff for a job well done! Despite the fiscal impact COVID-19 placed upon our business community, many of you joined me in our beach safety public awareness and education efforts, KBUGO-NC, throughout the summer. Cherie and I are blessed and humbled to have met you. In late spring, our local ACE Hardware purchased a large banner facing the bike path and Emerald Drive displaying our beach safety flagging system. The 34 Degrees North Restaurant and Beaufort Hotel likewise mounted a huge banner along the hotel waterfront. Locally, the Emerald Club, Growler, Movement Mortgage, Village Market, Sweet Spot, Turtlely Sweet, Giovanni’s Bagels and Infuse Wellness joined by purchasing the newly designed signature T-shirt sporting the “Emerald Isle North Carolina” printing around the initiative logo on the front and the beach flags on the back. Their staff could be seen wearing the shirts throughout the summer, reinforcing our beach flagging system. Beyond the businesses, there were nearly 200 people who purchased the T-shirts for personal use or gifts. My goal with the T-shirts, which can be customized to display a business logo on the front, is to enlist every business with employees wearing T-shirts to have them to wear these throughout our beach season to enhance public awareness. The silicone bracelets and waterproof “SAFER” checklist are the educational foundation of the initiative and have many uses I’d gladly address with any interested business or civic organization. Finally, for those who joined me early on such as Holiday Trav-L Park and Resort, Emerald Isle Realty, Churchwell’s Jewelers and Sweet Spot—my heartfelt thanks for your support. Our thanks to Emerald Isle Town officials for all their beach safety efforts, and especially Matt Zapp, for his fellowship, confidence and straightforward manner. Together we are making a difference! Finally, I would be remiss by not plugging Mr. Ed Criss, owner of Promotions Plus, and Louie Dixon, owner of Louise’s Promotional Products, who stepped up to assist with promotional items after my previous company in Morehead City abruptly abandoned their business forcing me to start over in 2020. In closing, our 2021 beach season is fast approaching and several new local businesses have joined the initiative. Most recently, our local Gaffer’s has placed our beach safety banner in their restaurant. If you’d like to join us the effort to advance our beach safety, or know someone who would, I welcome the opportunity to meet. For more information, please contact me, Danny Shell, at 443-536-8664. €

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