N.C. legislative considers honoring a pair of ‘coastal critters’

North Carolina’s House of Representatives now has two “coastal critter” bills under consideration. Both are worthy and have merit, as these bills pay tribute to the bottlenose dolphin and the loggerhead sea turtle. 

House Bill 2 would adopt the bottlenose dolphin as the official North Carolina “state marine mammal,” and House Bill 281 would give the loggerhead status as North Carolina’s “state saltwater reptile.” 

H.B. 2 was introduced Jan. 28, by Rep. Bobby Hanig (R-Powells Point), a Currituck County businessman. He quickly collected 17 bi-partisan co-sponsors for his bill. 

The proposed legislation cleared the House Committee on State Government on March 10 and was referred to the Committee on Marine Resources and Aqua Culture. Hanig chairs that committee. 

A favorable vote would send H.B. 2 along the winding road to the House Committee on Rules, Calendar and Operations, chaired by Destin Hall (R-Lenoir). 

Hanig’s bill notes that “bottlenose dolphins are abundant along North Carolina’s coastline” and their mouths give “the appearance that they are always smiling.” Hence, they are ideal ambassadors for North Carolina tourism.

The Dive the World website reports that dolphins “have been declared the world’s second most intelligent creatures after humans, and the dolphins’ playful, inquisitive nature have made them popular with divers. People often feel during an encounter that the dolphin is studying them as much as being the object studied. “Dolphins tend to look into your eyes.” 

H.B. 281 – to show love for the loggerheads – was filed on March 11, with four primary sponsors. Hanig is one; he is joined by Republicans Pat McElraft of Emerald Isle, Frank Iler of Shallotte and Phil Shepard of Jacksonville. 

One of the nine co-sponsors is Deb Butler (D-Wilmington). She said: “I am supportive of this measure because I believe it draws attention to the fragility of the species.”

Jean Beasley of the Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center in Surf City said: “Giving the loggerhead a position of honor can raise awareness about threats to the species. In protecting sea turtles, we also make the world a better place for all creatures and ourselves.” 

A third legislative bill to honor a “coastal flyer” is reported to be “in the works.” It would declare the osprey to be the “official state raptor.”

Ospreys are diurnal birds of prey that hunt during daylight hours when they use their keen eyesight to focus on locating fish just below the surface of the water. Their menu includes about 80 different species of saltwater and freshwater fish. 

Ospreys are fun to watch, as they plunge into water feet first, swooping down at a speed of 30 miles per hour or greater to grasp fish with their specially equipped talons.

 

It’s said that the “osprey’s favorite habitat is right here in Carteret County.” 

McElraft and Iler had championed the osprey bill in 2020, which sailed through the House, passing 111-0, with nine members not voting. The bill went over to the Senate on March 28, 2020, referred to the Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate. 

Political observers said the osprey bill was a victim of the COVID-19 shutdown of legislative business. 

Sen. Bill Rabon (R-Southport) is Rules and Operations committee chair. He is a veterinarian and an avid hunter and fisherman. 

Surely, “ospreyites” can lean on Rabon to help achieve a legislative trifecta – dolphin, loggerhead and osprey – all as North Carolina “state critters.” Yep-yep-yep.