UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 5, Page 6
September 29, 1994
Learn more about shore at Coast Day in Lewes

     The University of Delaware Sea Grant College Program and College
of Marine Studies will host the 18th annual Coast Day from 11 a.m.-5
p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2,  at the University's Hugh R. Sharp Campus in
Lewes.
     This year's theme is "Catch a Golden Opportunity."
     Highlighting the day will be three seminar series.
        * "Fisheries Seminars," from 11:30 a.m. -2 p.m., will review
          the status of  mid-Atlantic fisheries and how stocks can be
          improved through habitat improvement, genetic research and
          aquaculture.
        * "Coastal Resource Seminars," from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.,
          will focus on oil spill response, wildlife rehabilitation,
          shore protection and marsh restoration.
        * "Seafood Seminars," beginning at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30
          p.m. and 3:30 p.m., will provide timely information and
          preparation tips, from making heart-healthy seafood choices
          in your diet to learning how to prepare seafood appetizers
          for the holidays.
     Throughout the day, at various exhibits, scientists will be on
hand to describe a diversity of research, from analyzing the sea from
Space Shuttle photographs to improving disease resistance in oysters
through genetic engineering.
     Researchers also will welcome visitors into their labs to see
scientific demonstrations ranging from "The ABCs of Fish Form and
Function," revealing how a fish's body shape affects how it eats,
swims and lives, to "Oceanography on the Information Superhighway,"
where Lewes will be linked by the Internet computer system to other
research centers around the world.
     Visitors are urged to bring samples for two special
demonstrations. At the "Great Crab Race," participants can test their
favorite crab bait against scientists' "specially formulated bait."
     Those who bring samples will be able to have their drinking water
tested for nitrates.
     There will be a tour of the Halophyte Biology Laboratory, where
salt-tolerant marsh plants are grown and studied, the Air-Sea
Interaction Laboratory and the Delaware Aquaculture Resource Center,
as well as a number of ships in the harbor, including the Delaware Bay
and River Cooperative's DELRIVER oil skimmer, the Wilmington Fire
Department's fire fighting vessel, a U.S. Coast Guard vessel and a
Delaware Marine Police boat.
     Children and adults will have the opportunity to take a closer
look at local marine life in the marine critter touch tanks. The
National Aquarium in Baltimore will provide a special exhibit on
marine mammal stranding and rescue.
     A muckless marsh walk and a marine video festival also will be
featured, as well as dozens of exhibits by environmental groups and
other University colleges, including Agricultural Sciences, Arts and
Science, Business and Economics, Education, Human Resources, Physical
Education, Athletics and Recreation and Urban Affairs and Public
Policy.
     The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental
Control will provide a tent full of exhibits and children's
activities.
     Coast Day also will host the Second Annual Delaware Marine Trades
Association Boat Show.
     Coast Guard-approved life jackets will be presented free to the
first 300 children, aged 12 and under, to visit the trade show area
and sign a pledge to wear their life jackets whenever they're onboard
a boat.
     At the Crab Cake Cook-Off, eight finalists will prepare their
recipes for a distinguished panel of judges. A seafood pavilion will
offer fresh-cooked products, from seafood pizza to crab cake
sandwiches.
     Other hot and cold food items  also will be available from local
non-profit and community service organizations.
     "The Beach Brothers" will provide musical entertainment. A
nautical flea market will operate continuously, and Porthole Prizes,
donated by the University and local businesses, will be awarded.
     Programs will offer a complete schedule of activities.
     Admission to the event is free; parking is $2.
     For more information about the event, call the Office of Marine
Communications at 831-8083 in Newark or 645-4346 in Lewes.