UNCW professor and students return from the first 3-day coastal research trip on a boat

Wilmington, NC (et) – It was a dark, rainy day outside of the Uncw Center of Marine Science Building on Wednesday, but for professors and students it was a class as usual.

“My research laboratory is located here and actually provide for yourself as the room in which our project was created,” said Dr. Bradley Tolar, Assistant of the Uncw Marine Biology Assistance.

The project that Dr. Tolar speaks, is a new research expedition that students can take with a boat and study coastal habitats.

“It's a kind of unique experience,” he said. “Three and a half days at sea go to the Gulf Stream and to see how this kind of science is great.”

Dr. Tolar and a group of students were covered by the first cruise last month.

“It sounds like a fun cruise, but there is no alcohol, I never came back, we don't sleep much,” said Tolar.

However, they received a boat load of new research on changes in the underwater environment in different waters.

“I've never spent time on a boat overnight, so it was new to me,” said doctoral student Matt Bues.

Bues was on the first research expedition and said that he learned more than he could have imagined even though he became seasick.

“The first night was rough, but after that it was pretty good,” he said.

The financing of 1.5 million US dollars for this new project was awarded as a grant last year's general assembly of North Carolina.

“We are usually limited to a certain distance from the bank and can finally go in deeper waters,” said doctoral student Jess Shearer.

The money that they finally used with this trip will pay more students for the next three years to navigate further research expeditions like this.

“It was a really great experience,” said Shearer.

Hopefully more students will offer more students a smooth learning experience of sails and continue to provide critical information.

“What also affects the smallest life could have an impact on things like our economy, our fishing, the entire culture that we depend on,” said Tolar. “If we do not pay attention to it now, we have no way to predict how it could change in the future.”

The project works in cooperation with East Carolina University, NC State University and the UNC-Chapel Hill. You will carry out seasonal expeditions to explore the critical habitats that extend from Cape Fear River to the Gulf Stream.

The plan is currently having three further research research this year.

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