Fresh Water/Oceans

Oceans

Where are we now?

North Carolina is unique in that it has both an inner and outer coastline. These coastlines are created by a series of shifting sand islands (known as the Outer Banks) and the edges of huge bodies of saltwater (called the Sounds). These inner and outer coastlines offer a wonderful place for fish to grow. In fact, we host huge fish nurseries that support much of the East Coast’s fisheries. Whatever we put into our creeks, rivers, and lakes makes its way ultimately into the sounds and oceans.

Changes in fresh water affect many parts of the ecosystem, such as:

• Coastal waters
  
  
• Plants and animals that depend on clean water
  
  
• Our fisheries

This has a huge impact on us, our coastline, our state, and our economy.

Let’s look at these key issues: declining fisheries, coastal construction, changes to natural processes, and natural coastal protection.

Depleting fisheries

Although we are getting better at managing our fisheries in the U.S., we directly affect the balance of our coastal ecosystem by depleting the fish stocks. Increased coastal commercial fishing and the burgeoning recreational fishing industry both put considerable pressure on our fish stocks, which have to be constantly monitored.

Two thirds of the world’s main fisheries are being fished too much. Overall, we are removing more fish than are being replaced by natural reproduction. This leaves too little fish for the world’s future needs!

Unplanned coastal construction

Unplanned coastal construction:

• Adds to contamination of fresh water resources,
  
  
• Increases our drainage needs, and
  
  
• Reduces the beauty of our natural landscapes.

Some coastal communities are shifting sand largely to suit settlement and recreation. These efforts to change natural sand-shifting processes provide only short-term benefits and often have to be repeated at considerable cost.

Nature will eventually challenge man’s best engineering abilities.

Despite man’s efforts to alter it, nature does try to take care of itself.

Predicted global warming may increase average sea levels by several feet over the next century. More frequent and violent storms are expected along the coast as a result of ocean warming. These challenge the long-term existence of many coastal communities.