---· · ···~·.- ···-· The Albemarle-Pamlico Sounds Where the Rivers Meet the Sea Crabber (Piwro: P. Nurnberg) Written by: Frank Tursi, Writer for the Winston-Salem Journal Newspaper Edited and produced by: Melva Okun, Education Specialist with the UNC-CH Environmental Resource Project Acknowledgements: We would like to thank Dr. Doug Rader, Senior Staff Scientist with the N.C. Environmental Defense Fund, for helping in the review of this document Copies of this book may be obtained by writing to the Albemarle-Pamlico Estuarine Study, N.C. Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Raleigh, N.C. 27611 Cover Photo: Satellite shot of the Albemarle/Pamlico Sounds (Photo: KRS Remote Sensing/ National Geographic) A/P Study Project No. 89-12 UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY REGION IV 345 COURTI... A N O STREET. N.E . ATLANTA , G EO RGIA 303 6 5 To The Citizens of North Carolina: The national significance of the Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system can not be emphasized enough. As the second largest estuary in the nation and having a principal importance to the fisheries of the eastern seaboard, this system must command our priority protective efforts. The Environmental Protection Agency is pleased to play a partnership role with North Carolina and the many other agencies and individuals in the National Estuary Program sponsored study. The timing is right and the political and institutional will appears to exist to reach a consensus on a Comprehensive, Conservation and Management Plan for this system, from its headwaters and wetlands to its barrier island inlets. Your participation and enthusiasm must not wane if we are to succeed, and it is vital that we succeed. Sincerely yours, ~v;Greer c. /7:£Tidwell 4 Regional Administrator STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR RALEIGH 27603-8001 JAMES G. MARTIN GOVERNOR To The Citizens of North Carolina: The Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds are unique and valuable resources to North Carolina. The State is committed in protecting these important ecosystems. In order to accomplish this goal, government, industry, and citizens must work together in developing and supporting strategies to conserve and maintain these estuaries. When we protect the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds, we assure future generations the opportunity to enjoy all the beauty and wonder these sounds have to offer. Sincerely, James G. Martin, Governor North Carolina People Working Together to Make a Difference Index Introduction ......................................................................................... 1 Knowing Your Sounds .......................................•................................ 7 Albemarle Sound ..............•.................................................................. 9 Pamlico Sound ................................................................................... 21 People and the Sounds ...................................................................... 27 Symptoms of Stress ........................................................................... 33 The Pamlico: One River's St.ory ...................................................... 36 Ho\V You Can Help ............................................................................ 41 Glossary ....................................•......................................................... 46 Tools of the Trade .............................................................................. 53 Common Species ............................................................................... 55 Dead Water ........................................................................................ 59 Life of the Croaker ............................................................................ 62 Clean ~ ' ater Act ......................................................•......................... 64 To Get Involved, Call946-6481 People Working Together to Make a Difference l ...,.. -A. .. Great Heron in flight (Photo: S. Taylor) Introduction estuary in the country. Known as the Albe­ marle-Pamlico estuary, this labyrinth of rivers, creeks, bays and sounds provides a The view from the Umstead Memorial livelihood to the people who work on it and Bridge can be breathtaking, especially early is a source of soothing, subtle beauty to on a summer's morning. The bridge takes those who live along it. U.S. 64 across Croatan Sound to Roanoke Estuaries are special places. Technically, Island, spanning the middle of one of the they are where the fresh water coming down most productive fish nurseries in the world. the rivers meets the salt water of the sea. To To the left are Albemarle Sound and rank as a real estuary, though, it must be Powell's Point, which marks the opening to more than that. It must have shallow water, Currituck Sound; to the right, the vast which the sunlight warms and penetrates to Pamlico Sound stretches to the horizon. feed plants and plankton. It must have vast As the sun rises above the jagged outline areas of surrounding marsh, whose tidal of the Outer Banks, a fisherman maneuvers creeks supply the estuary with organic his small boat along a line of buoys that material. And finally there must be a good mark his crab pots. He hauls in the first pot, circulation that mixes the ocean's minerals shakes the crabs into a plastic barrel, adds with the organic rnaner. If all the conditions bait and drops the pot back into the water. are met, the resulting brew can feed a whole He is surrounded by 2,900 square miles chain of life that starts with microscopic of water that make up the second-largest plankton and ends with humans. To Get Involved, Call 946-6481 2 People Working Together to Make a Difference By all measures, the Albemarle-Pamlico other residential and resort developments. is an estuary of the flrst order. It is one of Many thousands of acres of wetlands have the cradles of the ocean's harvest. More than been drained and cleared and turned into 90 percent of the important species of fish in farms and tree plantations. North Carolina depend on the estuary during Growth also means more waste. The some portion of their lives. estuary is asked to absorb it all- nutrients But the estuary is more than just a good from farms, animal feed lots and wastewater fishing hole. There are the brilliant sunsets treatment plants; chemicals from urban over the Pamlico River, the acres of waving runoff and industrial discharges; and even needlerush along Currituck Sound, the heron from the air. patient! y stalking its prey in the Neuse River That alone would tax the estuary, but it or that crabber in Croatan Sound. also is being fed pollutants from many miles It is a beautiful place, which also makes away. The major rivers that flow to the the Albemarle-Pamlico a desirable place to Albemarle-Pamlico also drain large portions live. Though the region generally has kept of the populous Piedmont sections of North its rural character, some places in the estuary Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Dis­ have grown tremendously in the last decade. charges from industries and from municipal Growth, of course, means more people, plants mix with nutrients and chemicals who place greater demands and pressures on from farms and feedlots, streets and parking this sensitive ecosystem. Marshes have been lots. They eventually end up in the Sounds. converted to houses, marinas, motels and Beach house in Nags Head (Photo: F. Scott) People Working Together to Make a Difference 3 Massive fish kill (Photo: R. Carter, Washington Daily News) Though in better shape than some other all state residents. It is part of our common estuaries, the Albemarle-Pamlico is showing trust. Protection of the estuary will depend some disturbing symptoms of ill health. Fish on whether enough of us, the owners, care. catches have declined since the early 1980s, It will take a partnership of owners - particularly for anadromous fish like striped regular citizens, scientists and government bass and river herring. Fish diseases are officials- to ensure the long-term health of common, and a disease has appeared in the estuary. This booklet is a step in helping crabs. Algal blooms have become regular form that partnership. We hope it gives you events in some of the estuary's rivers, and a bener understanding of this intricate and bacterial pollution is closing more shellfish beautiful system of water and marsh and beds in the fastest-growing counties. Under­ makes you more aware of the problems. water grasses are disappearing in some of People then will support their legislators in the estuary's rivers. making informed decisions about how to All are early signs of trouble, signs you best protect this state and national treasure. should know about since ultimate!y you will decide if anything should be done about them. You own a piece of the Albemarle­ Pamlico estuary. Like other waters in North Carolina, the Albemarle-Pamlico belongs to To Get Involved, Call946-6481 4 People Working Together to Make a Difference Building that public consensus is one of After reading it, we hope you will take the main goals of the Alberoarle-Pamlico the initiative and get involved. There's a lot Estuarine Study. Known as APES, this at stake. We are among the countless crea­ cooperative project between the State of tures who have come to depend on the clean North Carolina and the U.S. Environmental water of the estuary. We eat its bounty, and Protection Agency is funding scientific the water supports our fishing and tourist research to examine environmental problems industries.