Coastal conference arrives in Wilmington

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington area is a coastal community, but this week it will also be home to international experts on important coastal issues. More than 300 coastal managers, scientists and policy makers will gather at the Hilton in Wilmington through Wednesday. They will discuss issues facing our coasts including erosion, the current oil spill disaster, proposed wind farm projects and sea level rise.

“It’s not necessarily that we’re trying to say, ‘If we do this, shoreline erosion will go away,’ but how can we learn not to make it worse?” Coastal Society President Jeff Benoit said. “How can we learn to accommodate the needs of recreation and people wanting to live near the coast that won’t create more of those problems or make those problems worse?”

While in town, conference attendees will have the opportunity to visit local attractions including the Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Bald Head Island and Masonboro Island.