Ahab's Journal

Saltwater Connections

Saltwater Connections is a regional initiative aimed at sustaining livelihoods, cultural heritage, and natural resources along North Carolina’s central coast, from Hatteras Island to Ocracoke and Down East Carteret County.

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Hatteras Island Asset Map Available Online

Hatteras Island, North Carolina (June 8, 2011) – The Hatteras Island Asset Map now contains more than  60 cultural, natural, and business assets identified by island residents.

Assets identified in the first phase of the mapping project include everything from museums and surf shops and restaurants to night skies and sunset views.

 “The assets reflect an eclectic approach to identifying what is special about the island, but all share roots in our unique cultural and natural environment,” Susan West, a Buxton resident involved in the project, said.

 The map can be viewed at http://www.opengreenmap.org/greenmap/hatteras-island .   Hatteras Island residents and visitors are invited to add comments and photographs, and to suggest new sites for the map.

Hatteras Connection Sponsors June 3 Bluefin Tuna Talk in Hatteras

Where Are They From? Understanding Stock Mixing in Atlantic Bluefin Tuna

June 2, 2011 — Pirate’s Cove Marina Pavilion, 2000 Sailfish Drive, Manteo; 6.30 p.m.
June 3, 2011 — Hatteras Village Community Building, 57689 Hwy 12, Hatteras; 7 p.m.

Where do Atlantic bluefin tuna seen off the Outer Banks spawn? And where do they go after they leave North Carolina waters?

A partnership of Outer Banks marinas, charter boat operators and fish cleaners are providing data for Maryland researchers to answer these questions and more. The information also enables the scientists to learn more about the connection between Atlantic bluefin tuna populations from eastern (Mediterranean Sea) and western (Gulf of Mexico) spawning areas.

 

Saltwater Resource Team Wraps Up Visit to Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, and Avon

The Saltwater Connections Resource Team wrapped up its visit to Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, and Avon mid-day Wednesday, May 5, with a public meeting at the Avon Fire Station.

Here are some of the comments from team members at the end of their visit:

Saltwater Connections Resource Team Talks with Watermen in Avon

 
 
 

Saltwater Connections Resource Team Visits Rodanthe Harbor

 
 
 
 

Meeting with Rodanthe, Waves & Salvo Watermen Scheduled

Saltwater Connections Resource Team will be at the Rodanthe Harbor, Monday, May 2, 3:30-5:00, to talk with commercial fishermen and charter-boat captains from Rodanthe, Waves, or Salvo. Team members want to know watermen's ideas for ensuring a future for watermen in the villages.

Resource Team to Visit Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, and Avon in May

 Hatteras Island, NC  (April 23, 2011) – Saltwater Connections, a regional economic development initiative, announced today that a community assessment resource team will visit Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, and Avon on May 2 – 4, 2011.

The Saltwater Connections Resource Team will be at the Rodanthe Harbor, Monday, May 2, 3:30-5:00, to talk with commercial fishermen and charter-boat captains from Rodanthe, Waves, or Salvo.

The Team will meet with Avon watermen at Avon Seafood in Avon on Tuesday, May 3, from 2 to 4:30 pm.

The team will include experts in fields such as sustainable tourism and community economic development, working waterfront preservation and local seafood industry development, historic preservation, and water quality protection.

During the visit, the team plans to talk with as many residents, business owners, and community leaders as possible to hear ideas for the villages’ future, and to learn about the strengths and assets of the villages and major challenges.

Food: a source of sustenance and sustainability

For farmers, fishermen and artisans markets to be successful in Nags Head and in other Outer Banks towns, citizens, officials, fishermen and organizations like Outer Banks Catch must continue to push Dare County to drop its ban on open-air seafood markets. This ban, reportedly still in effect due to food safety concerns, is obsolete, unnecessary and stifling to the local economy and commercial fishing industry.

Officials in other counties have determined that federal safety regulations are sufficient to protect consumers from the risk of food-borne illness at open-air seafood markets. The ban precludes an enormous opportunity for one of North Carolina’s most prominent coastal counties to vitalize its local economy and support an industry that has, for many years, provided the very soul of its heritage.

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Photographs of Hatteras Island Commercial Fishermen Needed

The Hatteras Connection Seafood Marketing Youth Team is looking for photographs of Hatteras Island commercial fishermen.

 

The team needs photographs - old and new - to use in the advertising they are developing to explain why buying locally harvested seafood is good for the culture and the economy of Hatteras Island.  Ten students at Cape Hatteras Secondary are working on the project.

Waders and Pearls Oyster Roast Set for February 26 in Hatteras Village

Hatteras Island, North Carolina (February 04, 2011) – The Waders and Pearls Oyster Roast will be held 6 p.m., Saturday, February 26, 2011, at the Hatteras Village Civic Center.

 In addition to roasted local oysters, the menu will feature two stewed shrimp dishes – one cooked the traditional Hatteras village way and one the old-time Kinnakeet way – prepared by island cooks Bonnie Gray, Bonnie and Charles Williams, and Cheyrl Austin. 

Hatteras Connection Seafood Marketing Youth Team at CHSS

 

Hatteras Connection is working to ensure a future for island watermen

Fishing is part of the island’s culture and heritage, and it should be part of our future too.

The harvest of renewable marine resources fits nicely into an economy driven by the principles of sustainability.  Commercial fishing can work hand in glove with emerging economic and social trends, such as the local food movement, eco-economics, cultural tourism, and food security.

Commercial fishing is a green industry that can sustainably produce food indefinitely without causing harm or irreversible damage to the ecosystem.  And, ongoing progress in the development of local markets and in engine efficiency technology promises to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the business.

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A Sense of Place: Down East and Beyond

LILLIE CHADWICK MILLER RATTLES OFF VARIOUS SERVICES HER FAMILY has provided in a shop on Harkers Island. Since 1941, it has been a grocery, a filling station, an outboard motor repair business and a bait-and-tackle shop.

Now, her sons — Christopher, 22, and Mike, 26 — are adding kayak rentals and planning tours of nearby coastal birdingand paddling trails.

"They want to tap into people coming into the area," Miller explains. They anticipate a rise in visitors to Carteret County's Down East region now that the Cape Lookout Lighthouse offers climbing tours each spring through fall.

Like the family business and the region, Miller, too, is changing with the times yet keeping focus on community needs. A retired school principal, she was one of 70 residents and property owners featured in the documentary Voices of Down fast, which debuted last year at meetings organized by North Carolina Sea Grant researchers.

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Hatteras Connection Seafood Marketing Youth Team Formed

Hatteras Island, North Carolina (December 17, 2010) – Hatteras Connection has partnered with North Carolina Sea Grant and Cape Hatteras Secondary School of Coastal Studies to create a seafood marketing youth team.

 Ten students at Cape Hatteras Secondary School (CHSS) will develop print, video, audio and social media advertising that explains how buying locally harvested seafood helps sustain the culture and the economy of Hatteras Island, and that tells what the commercial fishing industry means to the students, their families, or their community.

Hatteras Connection Seafood Dinner Assists Hatteras Island Meals and Food Pantry

Hatteras Island, North Carolina (December 11, 2010) – The  2^nd annual Hatteras Connection Seafood Dinner raised $2478 for Hatteras Island Meals, Inc., and collected more than ten fish boxes of non-perishable food items and personal care products for the Hatteras Island Food Pantry.

A team of well-known local chefs prepared fish donated by island fishermen and fish dealers for the December 7 dinner at the Hatteras Village Civic Center.

Hatteras Island Treasures

What do the Rodanthe Thrift Shop, Blue Pelican Gallery, F/V Lucy B., Hatteras Medical Center, Swartz Fisheries, Little Kinnakeet Lifesaving Station, Conner's Supermarket, the beaches, Hatteras Harbor Marina, and Buxton Village Books have in common? They are some of the community assets that were identified at the Hatteras Connection Seafood Dinner Tuesday night.

If you'd like to add an asset to the Hatteras Island Asset Mapping project, email Susan West at ridgeroad@earthlink.net  to request more information.

 

The Road to Recovery is Named Main Street

Southerners voiced that focusing on innovation and technology-based business operations, supporting entrepreneurship, identifying community assets, developing skilled workforce and increasing community involvement in economic development strategies are vital for the South to recover from the current economic downtown according to a recent report - The Road to
Recovery is Named Main Street - from the Southern Growth Policies Board. 
 

Read the report

Got Fish? Yes!!

Thanks!  Looks like we'll have a really nice assortment of fish for the seafood dinner on Tuesday.

Got Fish?

Hatteras Island Fishermen:

The weather has been lousy for fishing,  the mackerel haven't showed, and with five days to go before the Hatteras Connection Seafood Dinner Fundraiser, I'm starting to wig out.  If you get out between now and Tuesday and can donate fish for the dinner, please let Jim Lyons know.  Thank you.

Susan West

 

 

Hatteras Island Asset Mapping Project

has a FaceBook page.

Hatteras Island Asset Mapping Project to begin at Benefit Dinner

Hatteras Island, North Carolina (November 26, 2010) – The Hatteras Island Asset Mapping Project will get underway on December 7 at the Hatteras Connection Seafood Dinner Fundraiser at the Hatteras Village Civic Center.

Seafood Dinner Fundraiser Set for December 7

Hatteras Island, North Carolina (November 21, 2010) – The 2^nd annual Hatteras Connection seafood dinner to benefit the Hatteras Island Food Pantry and Hatteras Meals, Inc. will be Tuesday, December 7, at the Hatteras Village Civic Center.

 The dinner menu includes local fish, seafood chowder, roasted potatoes, cole slaw, corn bread, iced tea, and dessert.  Tickets are available for a $10 donation, and guests also are asked to bring one non-perishable food item or personal care product to the dinner for the Food Pantry.

Health Department stands firm on seafood sales

Farmer to fork. Dock to dinner plate.

A movement toward locally sourced fresh foods is sweeping the nation. It’s nearly impossible to pick up a food magazine or watch a program on the Food Network where chefs, consumers and writers fail to extol the virtues of local foods.

Dare County, however, is standing firm on its prohibition against the sale of seafood at open-air farmers markets.

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Seafood Dinner Fundraiser Planning Meeting Set for Wednesday, November 10

Hatteras Island, North Carolina (November 4, 2010) – Persons interested in helping with the 2^nd Annual Hatteras Connection Seafood Dinner Fundraiser are invited to a planning meeting at 1 p.m., Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at the Fessenden Center in Buxton.

 Last December the event raised almost $3000 for the Hatteras Island Food Pantry and Hatteras Meals, Inc. and helped stock the food pantry’s shelves for the holiday season. 

Talk on Green Seafood, Green Jobs, and Blue Oceans Set for October 11

Hatteras Island, North Carolina (October 1, 2010) – Sustainable seafood guides and mobile apps leave many consumers still in a quandary about which seafood is the “right” choice.

“In fact, most of the current standards do not recognize the ecological value of locally caught seafood,” says Niaz Dorry, executive director of the Northwest Atlantic Marine Alliance, a non-profit based in Gloucester, Massachusetts that works to improve marine resource management.

 Dorry will talk about ways consumers can make informed seafood buying decisions that are good for local communities, local economies, and the environment at 6 p.m., Monday, October 11, 2010 at the Hatteras Village Community Building, located behind the library.

ABC News Going Home: Fishermen Donate Catch

Hatteras Island, NC fishermen help feed the elderly and infirm with fresh fish.

Watch Video

 

Putting Island Treasures on the Map

Hatteras Island, North Carolina (September 27, 2010) – Hatteras Island communities plan to build a collective inventory of the good things about their island.

Organizers of the Hatteras Island Asset Mapping Project say the project will engage residents in identifying cultural, natural, and business assets in the island’s seven villages.

“We might be surprised by the wealth of assets that exist within our cultural and natural landscape,” says Susan West, a Buxton resident involved in the project.

Cultural assets might be a church, a place where children play, or a place with special significance, such as an old fish camp or where the mail boat docked.  A natural asset might be a favorite place to watch sunsets, and a business asset might be a shop that sells locally-produced art or jewelry or locally caught seafood.

 

Neighbors: A Small Town's Best Investment

If Hardwick, Vermont, can build its economy through food entrepreneurship, can any rural place do so? Two new books say yes and explain the how of it.

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Putting Smart Growth to Work in Rural Communities

Many rural communities are facing challenges, including rapid growth at metropolitan edges, declining rural populations, and loss of working lands.   This report  focuses on smart growth strategies that can help guide growth in rural areas while protecting natural and working lands and preserving the rural character of existing communities.  These strategies are based around three central goals: 1) support the rural landscape by creating an economic climate that enhances the viability of working lands and conserves natural lands; 2) help existing places to thrive by taking care of assets and investments such as downtowns, Main Streets, existing infrastructure, and places that the community values; and 3) create great new places by building vibrant, enduring neighborhoods and communities that people, especially young people, don’t want to leave. 

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True grits

Big business fisheries do business with big business distributors. That is their model. There is room, though, for local entrepreneurs with true grit to step up to the plate (pun totally intended) and help local watermen get their products to the local restaurants and retailers who want it.

If you can help make things happen, or just want to try, start a dialogue and see where it leads. Talk to the restaurant owners and chefs and talk to the fishermen. Connect the dots so the business can make a profit and everyone wins.

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Hatteras Connection: A light against dark days

I remember a time when fish houses rocked to a steady beat of commerce, and the poignant scent of fish money trailed through Hatteras Island’s seven villages.

That seems long ago.  Most of those fish houses have shut their doors, and many of those fishermen have traded in their boots for jobs.

Commercial fishing, as my generation has known it, is disappearing.

Download Wives' Corner CFN_9_10

COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN SUPPORT MEAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ON HATTERAS ISLAND

Hatteras Island, North Carolina (July 7, 2010) – Commercial fishermen are donating fish to help feed homebound Hatteras Island residents every week.

Since late June, local fishermen have provided fish for the Friday lunches delivered to clients of Hatteras Meals, Inc. 

Day at the Docks

Dear Friends,

The 6^th Annual Day at the Docks: A Celebration of Hatteras Island Watermen will take place Saturday, September 18, 2010, on the Hatteras village waterfront.

The day brings island fishing families and visitors together on the waterfront to celebrate the living traditions and heritage of Hatteras Island, a special place where the pull of the sound and the sea remains as irresistible today as in years past for commercial fishermen and charter-boat captains and mates.

An enthusiastic and spirited band of volunteers, headed by Lynne and Ernie Foster, deliver a fun-filled day packed with friendly competitions and contests, boat and gear displays, cooking demonstrations, children’s activities, and more.

But there are expenses associated with the celebration, such as tent and other infrastructure rental fees and the costs of signs, supplies, prizes, posters and entertainment.

We hope you can help make Day at the Docks a success this year by contributing a donation to help cover those types of expenses.  No contribution is too small, and all contributions are deeply appreciated.

Contributions can be made by mailing a check made out to “Day at the Docks” to Day at the Docks, P.O. Box 120, Hatteras, NC 27943.

Thank you for your support of one of eastern North Carolina’s most unique celebrations. 

Johnson wants board to look at seafood sales ban

Commissioner Mike Johnson wants his board to take a second look at Dare County’s ban on the sale of seafood at farmer’s markets.

“Dare County is smart enough to figure this out,” Johnson said earlier this week after hearing a presentation on how the sales would be regulated.

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Shoppers frequent local farmers markets in Pitt County, NC

Next to Sowers’ egg stand is 6-year-old Ashby Kate, who is selling drinks and her magic marker artwork. Her father is Ashley Bleau, who owns Shore to Door Seafood. Shrimp, flounder, crab, scallops, clams and mahi-mahi are just some of the seafood he sells, and it all comes from the Pamlico Sound. Customers can select their fish from a large cooler, and he will filet it right there at his table. His wife can offer ideas on how to prepare anything you purchase. Rose Quasenbarth is a regular customer who recommends Shore to Door. “He’s the best in town,” Quasenbarth said.

Marc and Pam Smith might just agree with Quasenbarth because they own Capt. Jim’s Seafood Market of Morehead City. Every Thursday they load up a supply of fresh seafood for a visit to Greenville and set up a stand at the Cornerstone market. The crab meat and scallops are purchased and caught on the North Carolina and Virginia coasts. All their fish are caught by local fisherman who work for Capt. Jim’s.

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Things that make you say hmmmm...

Outer Banks Sentinel - Watching the actions and logic of government officials is sometimes interesting, every now and then infuriating, oftentimes brings a laugh ... and then there are the times when the first response is "Say what?"

The denial by the Health Board to allow fresh seafood to be sold at farmers' markets is one of those 'say what?' moments. The reason given was that it is a health concern. Now, on the front side, that may sound reasonable - that is until you ponder it a bit. Selling at farmers' markets isn't opening the door on roadside vendors - that door was shut long ago. And it doesn't clear the way for any type of processing to take place - that is against the law because the proper sanitation rules can't be met in such a location.

Seafood at Farmers' Markets: Let's Not Miss This Boat

A sampling of comments in support of allowing commercial fishermen to sell their catches at farmers' markets in Dare County:

“ I was one of the founders of the Rye Farmer's Market(2009)  here in New Hampshire. In addition we own and operate 2 fishing boats. We were the first in the state to offer fresh, local seafood. Fishermen are now able to sell their catch throughout the seacoast farmer's markets, which was an overwhelming success and highly in demand by consumers. I would argue that seafood market products are far more at risk than fish harvested directly off the boat.”

“The Dare County officials should be advised that not a single health issue has surfaced in recent years over seafood. Spinach and lettuce have spawned illnesses, recalls and health advisories; likewise, chicken and beef. What a slap in the face to local fishermen, and a slam to their small businesses.  And what a loss for the customers who will be deprived of fresh, local fish!  This whole story is a travesty. Shame on Dare County!  I am going to pass this around Alaska.  Please keep me posted. Best from Kodiak, “

“It seems silly to me to talk about how we need the fleet to be viable and then prohibit something that could lead to viability. It makes absolutely no sense from a whole economic/ tax base, perspective today.

“I was in Greensboro a few weeks ago visiting family.  We went to their farmers market (one of the oldest in the country) and there was a fisherman there who had travelled in from the coast to sell shrimp.”

Dare's full of seafood, but it sure doesn't act like it

My online colleague, Russ Lay, recently wrote that Dare is believed to be the only county in the state that doesn't allow seafood to be sold at farmers markets.

My first reaction was: Of all places. My second reaction was: It's not surprising.

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Seafood at farmers markets? Not in Dare County.

Imagine wandering among the stalls of a local farmers market, perhaps the one run by the non-profit Coastal Harvester in Buxton on Wednesdays during the summer.

They sell food the old fashioned way — the product is fresh because it’s local.

Seafood is often sold at farmers markets, too, especially in coastal communities. Except in Dare County, where there’s a “catch.” It’s prohibited at farmers markets.

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Eye on Dare: Perplexed

We're perplexed.  Why is it that local polls always show that the majority of the public never agrees with actions taken by their elected leaders?  To wit: dog park, Nags Head beach nourishment, putting Renee Cahoon back into office, for starters.

Has anybody heard the latest?  It seems the ten member Dare County Board of Health is not willing to lift restraints which would allow our commercial fishermen to sell their products at local weekend farmers markets.  Dare County is the only county in North Carolina that does not allow this.  Why?

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No Fish at Farmers' Markets

It looks like consumers won’t find seafood at Dare County farmers’ markets again this season.

Hatteras Connection and Coastal Harvesters, Inc., the non-profit sponsor of the Hatteras Island Farmers’ Market, asked the Dare County Board of Public Health to authorize seafood sales at farmers’ markets operated by non-profit organizations or by municipal or county government.  Fishermen participating as vendors would have had to comply with the planning and permitting and inspection rules that govern other seafood markets in the county.  (Letter below.)

Fleet Vision Needed Now

At January 2010's meeting after 34 years of visionless management, the Council acknowledged its need for a Vision. The need for a vision comes at a critical time of change for New England fisheries as we move into a new management system called Catch Shares. The airplane is charting new territory and if the destination is not carefully plotted the heading could spell disaster for many New England fishing communities. The time to adopt a Vision is now.

The good news for the Council is that the New England community has already created a common and consensus based Fleet Vision. Over a two-year process nearly 300 stakeholders from across New England participated in regional meetings, interviews, surveys, and round table discussions to create what is called the Fleet Vision Project.

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Hatteras Connection Update

~ Whew – the whirlwind of challenges and surprises for coastal communities that hope to retain a sense of place and a traditional connection to marine resources just doesn’t stop.

Policies and programs continue to be launched and implemented largely without the involvement of the local communities - like Hatteras Island - that stand to feel the most impact.

Fish Locally Collaborative

The Fish Locally Collaborative is based on a give and take process where individuals and groups work together toward an intersection of common goals by sharing knowledge, learning and building consensus. Leadership is not required in a collaborative process and can sometimes bring better results through full and equal participation from all collaborators.

WHO ARE WE

The Fish Locally Collaborative is a group of  local fishermen, local fishing families, and local community-focused marine and social scientists, and fisheries advocates. Our mission is the recovery and maintenance of marine biodiversity through community-based fisheries. 

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NCWU Donates Food to Hatteras Island Food Pantry

Ernie Foster and Elson Myers, Board Members of North Carolina Watermen United, get into the spirit of Christmas and giving by delivering a box of food to the Hatteras Connection's fundraiser..  All the food collected from the NCWU board and members will be donated to the Hatteras Island Food Pantry

 

(Photo Robbi Viveiros)
 

Fishermen feed the hungry, fill the pantry

Hatteras Island watermen leveraged some of their landings last week to raise $2,940 and truck loads of non-perishable food items and personal care products for the Hatteras Island Food Pantry and for Hatteras Meals, Inc.

Commercial fishermen and charter boat captains donated fish for a Dec. 8 seafood dinner fundraiser organized by Hatteras Connection, a community-based development project dedicated to the vision of a diversified local economy strengthened by commercial and charter boat fishing.

Continue reading Fishermen feed the hungry, fill the pantry at the Outer Banks Sentinel »

Hatteras Connection: Info Sheet

SEAFOOD DINNER TO BENEFIT HATTERAS ISLAND FOOD PANTRY & HATTERAS MEALS

This idea for this dinner originated in the fishing community as one way the island could show their appreciation for the work the non-profit food organizations do to help take care of island families, the elderly, and the ill.

 

The Methodist Men’s Food Pantry provided 2475 people on Hatteras Island with more than 60,000 meals last year and helped 160 families with medical and housing expenses.  Hatteras Meals, Inc. serves daily lunches to as many as 45 persons.  Volunteers deliver lunches to people who are homebound, convalescing from surgery, or dealing with extenuating medical conditions.

 

This dinner has been a collaborative effort.  Watermen donated the fish.  Local chefs and cooks donated their culinary skills.  Businesses and individuals donated supplies and labor.

 

Hatteras Connection: Info Sheet

 

Fueling Collaborative Solutions for a Vibrant Community

Hatteras Connection is a community-based development project dedicated to enhancing the economic and cultural benefits commercial fishing and charter-boat fishing bring to Hatteras Island, and to ensuring a future for new generations of watermen on the island.

Hatteras Connection is a community project in the truest sense.  The community will shape its focus and direction.  The seafood dinner to benefit Hatteras Island Food Pantry and Hatteras Meals is the first Hatteras Connection project. 

 

Hatteras Island Watermen Help Feed the Hungry

Hatteras Island, North Carolina (November 27, 2009) -  Hatteras Island commercial fishermen and charter-boat captains and mates are donating fish for a seafood dinner to benefit Hatteras Island Food Pantry and Hatteras Meals, Inc.

The fundraiser will be held Tuesday, December 8, at the Hatteras Village Civic Center.  Meals will be served from 5 pm to 8 pm.