UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 6, Page 12
October 7, 1993
Coast Day visitors learn more about Delaware shore 

     Thousands of people took "A Voyage to Discovery" on Sunday, Oct. 3,
when the University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and College of
Marine Studies (CMS) hosted the 17th annual Coast Day in Lewes.
     "Coast Day gives us the opportunity to open our laboratory doors and
welcome the public in to learn more about our research and the marine
environment," Carolyn Thoroughgood, dean of the college and director of the
Sea Grant College Program, said. "We believe that learning should be fun,
and this year, as always, our faculty, staff and students developed a
number of informative activities to increase visitors' awareness,
understanding and appreciation of our marine and coastal resources."
     In keeping with the theme of the day, visitors listened to CMS faculty
describe their own discoveries- ranging from the chemistry of mussel glue
to the water circulation pattern in Delaware's inland bays-in the "Voyage
to Discovery" lectures, one of three speaker series organized for the
event. In the environmental forum-"What in the World Is Wrong with Our
Weather?"-experts from the National Weather Service and the Department of
Geography discussed the past summer's dramatic weather, from severe
flooding in the Midwest to droughts on the East Coast and the implications
for the future.
     At a special afternoon panel discussion, "Marine Scientists on the
Job," local marine scientists described their professional journeys and
answered questions about marine careers.
     Throughout the day at various exhibits, CMS faculty, staff and
students described research as diverse as the biology of tautog (blackfish)
and the use of satellites to detect environmental phenomena, such as the
"hot spot" in the Pacific Ocean identified by CMS scientists last year.
Researchers offered scientific demonstrations such as "Sea-Level Rise and
the Delaware Estuary," an interactive computer program.
     With their nautical flags flying in the brisk autumn wind, the vessels
stationed in the CMS harbor were a colorful and popular attraction.
Visitors toured the college's 120-foot R/V Cape Henlopen and 42-foot R/V
Skimmer, the Delaware Bay and River Cooperative's DelRiver oil skimmer and
the Wilmington fire department's firefighting vessel. The U.S. Coast Guard
staged an air-sea rescue demonstration just offshore, while elsewhere, the
Delaware Marine Trades Association provided 300 Coast Guard-approved life
jackets free to children, age 12 and under, who signed a pledge to wear
their life jackets whenever they board a boat. The association sponsored
its first boat show as part of Coast Day, and more than 30 watercraft were
on display.
     At the live marine critter touch tanks, staff and students helped
identify organisms-from dogfish sharks to blue mussels-and answer questions
about their biology. A muckless marsh walk and a marine video festival also
were featured, as well as dozens of exhibits by other colleges at the
University and by local and regional environmental groups. The Delaware
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control provided two
tents of exhibits and invited children to take part in hands-on activities
scheduled throughout the day. Department Secretary Christophe Tulou was on
hand to meet Coast Day visitors, as was U.S. Rep. Michael N. Castle.
     Fresh seafood is always a big attraction at Coast Day. This year's
offerings ranged from a seven-pound live lobster at the LeCates Seafood
booth to shrimp pizza developed especially for Coast Day by Grotto Pizza.
At the Crab Cake Cook-Off, seven finalists prepared their recipes for a
distinguished panel of judges, who awarded Norma Johnson of Harrisburg,
Pa., the top prize for her "No-Filler Crab Cakes." Kent Hardwick of Medford
Lakes, N.J., won second place with "Kent's Crab Cakes," and Loretta Messick
of New Castle, received third place for "Plantation Style Crab Cakes."
     Ron Cole, assistant professor in the Hotel, Restaurant and
Institutional Management Program, served as a judge for the cook-off and
presented a seafood cooking seminar.
                                        -Beth Chajes and Tracey Bryant