Sustainability Issues in the Outer Banks

         The Outer Banks, located along the coast of Virginia and North Carolina, are a group of islands that should be cautious of how they are affecting the environment. Most of the people that visit the Outer Banks are either homeowners or tourists. Each summer the islands are loaded with not only people, but people that are hungry for seafood. When most people go to the beach on a spring or summer vacation, they will most-likely want seafood. This is the cause for all the various types of seafood restaurants located on the island. With a high amount of seafood restaurants, there is obviously going to be a giant need for seafood. Most of the seafood eaten in the Outer Banks is brought in from any of the numerous docks in the area including Oregon Inlet Fishing Center. Although the seafood may taste good and fresh, the amount of fish and other organisms that humans are taking from this area is not healthy for the environment. The relationship between the fisherman and the environment is anything but mutual and before long there might not be any fish left at all. This is an issue that needs to be addressed and fixed soon so that we may enjoy the pleasures of seafood for a very long time.
          Also another sustainability issue facing the Outer Banks is erosion. The islands have been currently getting smaller and smaller width wise for awhile now. It seems that every year the "beach" in the Outer Banks moves up a foot or two. This may not seem like a problem right now, but if you look at this in a wider scope, you will note that it is not good for the future of the islands or the homeowners that have residences on the islands.