FISH RESEARCH: WSF's The Great Fish Count (June 4, 2016)

Synopsis: The World Science Festival's "The Great Fish Count” was a free citizen-science event, in partnership with the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and environmental education programs at each specific sites. The event covered the five boroughs of NYC and sites in NJ, for a total of 15 Hudson River sites that were surveyed simultaneously. Its focus was on the ecology and diverse fish fauna of the Hudson River. Anyone was allowed to participate! Volunteers tried on waders (waterproof overalls), hauled a seine net, and discovered aquatic life in NYC and NJ waters. The event brought together ecologists, environmental scientists, and the public for a real scientific research endeavor. 

Project: World Science Festival's The Great Fish Count
Host: World Science Festival
Organizers: World Science Festival, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and environmental education programs at specific sites.
Website:  http://www.worldsciencefestival.com/programs/great-fish-count/


Date: June 4, 2016
Location: Multiple sites; this report only covers the Bloomer Beach site in Englewood, NJ. 

(Photo Credit: Peter J. Park)

Bloomer Beach Site Director(s): Peter J. Park 
Assistants: Kuan Chiu, Tyric Martin, Pamila Ramotar-John, and Kishi John 

Participants: General Public
Methods: Seining 




Environmental Variables:
Air Temp: 27.8 C (82 F)
Water Temp: 23.33 C (74 F)

Salinity: 15ppt

Dissolved Oxygen: 8ppm


Species Caught (and Released):

Fish Species:

Bay Anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli)

(Photo Credit: Peter J. Park)

White Perch (Morone americana)

(Photo Credit: Semi Park)

Northern Pipefish (Syngnathus fuscus)

(Photo Credit: Andrew Wu)

  Atlantic Tomcod (Microgadus tomcod)
 

(Photo Credit: Andrew Wu)

Other Species:
Blue Claw Crab (Callinectes sapidus)

(Photo Credit: Semi Park)

 
Shrimp (2 species)

"Grass" Shrimp (Photo Credit: Peter J. Park)

Sand Shrimp (Crangon septemspinosa) (Photo Credit: Andrew Wu)

Follow-Up: Larisa M. Downes, author of the blog Science Savvy Kids wrote an article on about her experience at this event as WSF team member. Check it out: http://www.sciencesavvykids.com/blog/local-wild-and-accessible
 


Additional Info: All procedures and activities described above were permitted by the NY DEC.

Acknowledgements: Special thanks to Margie Turrin (Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory) and Stephen Stanne (NY DEC) for inviting us to participate in this event!