Press Releases

North Carolinians continue to breathe the cleanest air in decades as emissions of harmful air pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter reach historic lows, according to the latest update of the “Air Quality Trends in North Carolina” report published by the N.C. Division of Air Quality.

An advisory against swimming was posted today at a sound-side site in Beaufort County, where state officials found bacteria levels in the water that exceed the state’s and Environmental Protection Agency’s recreational water quality standards.

The North Carolina Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) Science Panel will meet Oct. 2 at the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center, 203 South Front Street, Second Floor Berne Room, New Bern. During this meeting, the Science Panel will conduct a follow-up assessment of recent studies concerning sea-level rise, review updates related to Inlet Hazard Areas, and discuss methodologies and data pertaining to oceanfront erosion rates. The meeting will begin at 11:45 a.m. The public may listen by computer or phone.

The N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission Nominating Committee will meet in person and by web conference on Oct. 9 at 4 p.m. The in-person meeting will be held at the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries Headquarters Office, 3441 Arendell Street, Morehead City, in the Second Floor Conference Room.

On Monday, September 25, a days-old wild horse, and resident of the Rachel Carson Reserve, was seen exhibiting signs of extreme distress. Paula Gillikin, NC Division of Coastal Management’s Coastal Reserve site manager for the Rachel Carson Reserve, examined the male foal at the Reserve. After consulting with the Reserve’s local equine veterinarian and the N.C. State College of Veterinary Medicine, the Division subsequently moved the horse from the Reserve for further examination and treatment.

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a precautionary swimming advisory in Emerald Isle. The advisory was lifted because floodwaters have rescinded, and pumping has ceased.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries recently certified the first state record Puddingwife Wrasse (Halichoeres radiatus), and the fish may break the world record, as well.

State recreational water quality officials today advised beachgoers to be aware of the floodwaters being pumped to the ocean surf in Emerald Isle. Surfers and swimmers should avoid these sites.

State recreational water quality officials today lifted a water quality swimming advisory at a sound-side site in Dare County.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries is asking people to please be on the lookout for blue land crabs, Cardisoma guanhumi, and to report sightings. Blue land crabs are a non-native species to the Carolinas that look like an enormous fiddler crab.