Workshop and research planning to improve understanding of the habitat value and function of frying pan shoals, NC on the Atlantic outer continental shelf

The coastal communities of the Cape Fear Region of North Carolina have experienced rapid population growth, increased economic growth via tourism, and increased land values. Investments in beach nourishment projects in the Cape Fear Region from 2000 to 2019 have exceeded $137 million dollars and brought > 20 million cubic yards (> 18 million m^3) of sand to beaches, including the beaches of Bald Head Island, Caswell Beach, Oak Island, Holden Beach, and Kure Beach. Erosion continues to be problematic, and the demand for long-term beach compatible sand resources to support future nourishment needs is increasing. Based on recent sand search surveys conducted offshore of Brunswick County beaches, alternative long-term sand resource options are severely limited with the exception of Frying Pan Shoals (FPS). To assess FPS as a potential sand source, a six-step process was utilized. First, interviews were conducted with 18 technical experts and 6 stakeholders. Second, a draft literature synthesis was developed with a basis on the interviews conducted. The third and fourth steps in the process were organizing a technical expert workshop that occurred in a virtual environment October 13 and 16, 2020, and a stakeholder workshop on December 10, 2020. A fifth step was added to interview people with fishing experience in the region. Finally, the sixth step of the process was to use the information, input, and feedback gained from the two workshops and fisher interviews to update the literature synthesis and formalize scientific research priorities regarding FPS as a potential sand source.

USD: $142,113

2019-07-31 → 2020-12-31