BUXTON (AP) — A popular surf fishing area known as The Point on Cape Hatteras is closed to both vehicles and pedestrians in order to protect a bird called the American oystercatcher.
The acting superintendent of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore says members of the National Park Service observed breeding behavior Sunday that required the closure. The area to the south known as The Hook was closed earlier.
Acting Superintendent Paul Stevens says the beach is very narrow in the area known as “the bypass,” meaning the beach had to be closed to meet the terms of a court settlement.
Beach closures are required under the terms of that agreement between the park service and environmental groups that sued over protection of endangered species.