August 27, 2025 — Nearly four decades of research ended this year because a dwindling budget in the state Division of Marine Fisheries left its research boat out of commission.
Scientists have trawled the Pamlico Sound netting fish and crustaceans since 1987.
But the boat, named the Carolina Coast, won’t go out in 2025.
“This is the end of the data set. There’s nothing we can do about that. It’s over,” said Kathy Rawls, who directs the Division of Marine Fisheries.
Rawls broke the news about the rotting and leaking 41-year-old boat last week to the Marine Fisheries Commission, a policy-setting board appointed by the governor.
“We lack the resources to repair or replace the vessel,” she said. “As you can imagine, that is a huge blow.”
Doug Rader, an oceans scientist serving on the commission, said the news is “close to catastrophic.”