CMAST

Jan 16, 2024

What is Causing Marine Mammal Strandings along Coastal NC?

Morehead City, NC – In the past four years, an average of ninety-two marine mammal strandings per year have occurred along the central coast of North Carolina (NC).  According to Dr. Vicky Thayer, Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator for the NC Division of Marine Fisheries, NC “has the highest diversity of marine mammal strandings of any…

Dec 19, 2023

Sperm Whale Stranded at Cape Lookout

The weekend before Christmas, a team of anglers that included NC State veterinarians, Drs. Greg Lewbart and Anthony Blikslager, discovered a recently deceased sperm whale stranded near the point on Cape Lookout. The group contacted Dr. Craig Harms, Director of Marine Health at the Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST), who called Dr. Vicky Thayer,…

Dec 7, 2023

Marine Mammal Health Course Hosted at CMAST

Twelve NC State veterinary students recently spent the week at the Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST) learning about marine mammal health and medicine in a course led by Dr. Craig Harms and Dr. Michael Stoskopf. In addition to lectures by an array of marine mammal biologists and veterinarians, students have had the opportunity to…

Dec 5, 2023

Class Unexpectedly Gets to Assist with Cold-Stunned Turtles

Earlier this month 18 NC State University veterinary students participated in a week-long course on invertebrate medicine at the NC State University Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST).  The course, taught by Dr. Gregory Lewbart, professor of aquatic, wildlife, and zoological medicine, surveys invertebrate groups and emphasizes their functional biology, phylogeny, ecology, and behavior.  The lab…

Nov 29, 2023

CMAST Work is Featured in “Watery Habitats” on NC PBS

NC PBS has released an interesting video segment on the role that NC State University is playing with respect to the impacts of excess Phosphorus on water quality. The video, titled, “Watery Habitats,” is through the Sci NC series and features local oyster farmers and research conducted by NC State University Center for Marine Sciences and Technology…

Nov 14, 2023

Gervais’ Beaked Whale Stranded in Emerald Isle

Morehead City, NC – A live Gervais’ beaked whale (Mesoplodon europaeus) was reported by beachgoers to the NC Marine Mammal Stranding Network in shallow water in Emerald Isle the afternoon of October 30, 2023. The NC Marine Mammal Stranding team arrived at the beach and confirmed the animal was a 10’ 9” (329 cm) long…

Sep 6, 2023

NC State Students Participate in Sea Turtle Medicine Course

For the past two weeks, six fourth-year NC State veterinary students split time between the Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST) and the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center (KBSTRRC) in Surf City for a clinical rotation on sea turtle medicine and rehabilitation. Students started the course at CMAST, where they practiced clinical…

Aug 30, 2023

NOAA to fund oyster sanctuary, marine sciences program

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded a $14.9 million grant to The North Carolina Coastal Federation to expand an oyster sanctuary in Pamlico Sound.  The grant will also provide a vehicle for the NC State University Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST) to collaborate with NC Central University to provide hands-on experience for…

Aug 30, 2023

CMAST Collaborates on Summer-long Sea turtle Study

The Marine Health Program at the NC State Center for Marine Sciences and Technology (CMAST) is wrapping up a month-and-a-half long set of sea turtle studies in collaboration with NOAA, Duke University Marine Laboratory, and Arizona State University. Sea turtles are being collected in research pound nets, which are stationary fish traps that sea turtles can…

Aug 17, 2023

Eggleston Earns Prestigious Stewardship Award

Congratulations to Dr. David B. Eggleston, who has been awarded this year’s Margaret A. Davidson Stewardship Achievement Award by The Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (CERF)!  According to the Davidson Stewardship Achievement Award Committee, Dr. Eggleston is, “The consummate steward, focusing much of his professional career on the sustainable management of estuarine and coastal resources.”…