Huge congratulations to Omanjana Goswami, a PhD Student and Graduate Teaching Assistant from Rutgers University – Newark who will be representing NJ Sea Grant and the entire State of New Jersey as part of the 2019 John A. Knauss Fellowship Program! We cannot wait to follow Ms. Goswami on this amazing journey, and wish her all the best!
From the official NOAA and NSGO announcement:
Silver Spring, MD — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Sea Grant announce the finalists for the 2019 class of the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program. Since 1979, the National Sea Grant College Program has provided one-year fellowships working in federal government offices in Washington, D.C. to over 1,200 early-career professionals. The 2019 finalists will become the 40th class of the John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship program. The 66 finalists represent 30 of the 33 Sea Grant programs. For the first time Guam Sea Grant successfully recruited a Knauss fellow.
“The Knauss fellowship is one of Sea Grant’s flagship programs. Every class of Knauss fellows continues to raise the bar, and the 2019 finalists are no exception,” said Jonathan Pennock, Director of the National Sea Grant College Program. “I’m also happy to share that in response to growing demand for Sea Grant Knauss fellows in federal government offices, we are pleased to include two additional legislative fellowships for the 40th anniversary class.”
For more information, please visit our website or click here.
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium honored the Garden State’s “Favorite Beaches” during the start of a heat wave in Ocean City, NJ on Friday (June 29th). In anticipation of the July Fourth holiday, NJSGC revealed the full list of 2018 winners during a gorgeous beachside ceremony in the beloved Jersey Shore town. Drum roll, please…
OCNJ Daily
OVERALL
1. Ocean City
2. Margate
Monmouth County
1. Asbury Park
2. Sandy Hook – Gateway National Park
3. Spring Lake
4. Belmar
5. Long Branch
Ocean County
1. Seaside Heights
2. Beach Haven
3. Point Pleasant Beach
4. Ship Bottom
5. Island Beach State Park
1. Ocean City
2. Wildwood Crest
3. Cape May
4. Wildwood
5. Sea Isle City
Several thousand voters participated in this year’s survey, with Ocean City snagging the top spot yet again.
First created in 2008, NJSGC initially deemed the poll “New Jersey’s Top Ten Beaches” to help encourage stewardship and pride in the state’s different “sand and surf” hotspots while promoting a little healthy (and friendly) competition. But since New Jerseyans are passionate about visiting ALL different parts of our wonderful coastline, starting in 2016, individual victors from NJ’s four coastal counties (Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Ocean) were ultimately recognized.
Students skipping through the hallways, birds chirping amongst the trees, seining nets sprawled out to dry on the front porch… It’s finally springtime at New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium!
This pre-summer edition of the COASTodian includes…
The beaches at Sandy Hook Gateway National Park are now open for the season. New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s headquarters, located at Fort Hancock, welcomes visitors Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. If you need a break from the sun, please stop in!
Starting today, fans get to choose their favorite local “hotspots” from a list of all the amazing beaches throughout NJ’s four coastal counties – Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Ocean. The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium will announce the winners around the July Fourth holiday.
Debuting in 2008 as New Jersey’s “Top Ten Beaches,” the survey was designed to encourage a little “friendly” competition and camaraderie between popular Jersey Shore communities along the sandy coast.
Now in its tenth year, the poll was recently rebranded “Favorite Beaches” to diversify results so that ALL areas of the Garden State’s gorgeous oceanfront were recognized. An “overall” victor is still announced, and Ocean City, NJ has remained undefeated champ over the past decade. But will that impressive winning streak end this year? You decide!
Be sure to share the 2018 “Favorite Beaches” poll with family and friends, and stay tuned for the official results later this summer.
Connect with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more updates. Thank you for your continued support!
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium hosted the 16th annual State of the Shore press event at Tim McLoone’s Supper Club in Asbury Park, NJ on Thursday, May 24th. Along with the Consortium’s Executive Director Claire Antonucci, NJSGC’s Coastal Processes Specialist Dr. Jon K. Miller spoke to members of the media about current beach conditions at the Jersey Shore after a rather stormy and severe winter. NJDEP Acting Commissioner Catherine R. McCabe attended as the guest speaker and assured that the Garden State is fully prepared for yet another busy and successful summer season.
For Dr. Miller’s full State of the Shore report, along with an introduction by NJSGC’s Communications Specialist Danica Bellini, please go here.
Media coverage was widespread this year and included additional information on Rip Current Awareness thanks to NJSGC’s Coastal Ecosystems Extension Agent Dr. Amy Williams, who was also available for comment during the event.
The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium would like to extend a huge thanks to all those who attended and reported on the 2018 State of the Shore event, and we look forward to seeing everyone out on the beach this summer at the wonderful Jersey Shore!
The historic Fort Hancock area of Sandy Hook transformed into a “coastal awareness” wonderland on Sunday (May 20th) to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Ocean Fun Days. The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium hosted over 35 exhibitors and displays, as well as several engaging tours and workshops. Take a look!
Did YOU attend Ocean Fun Days this year? If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts! If interested, please take part in the 2018 Ocean Fun Days survey.
Despite rather unpredictable weather conditions, hundreds of enthusiastic visitors descended upon the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium parade grounds to learn more about marine science, energy conservation, and a diverse array of eco-friendly concerns. Such outgoing optimism even inspired the sun to shine bright throughout the entire event, making for a full afternoon of family fun and unforgettable memories at the Jersey Shore.
To mark such a monumental year, several new activities were offered, including an interactive Rip Currents vs. Sharks trivia game and participatory paddleboarding/kayaking demos. Parts of the NOAA Fisheries Service James J. Howard Lab were open to the public, and tour guides aboard the “History Bus” provided interesting facts and information while transporting attendees to various WWI and WWII sites throughout the Gateway National Park. For the full Ocean Fun Days 2018 program, please go here.
Ocean Fun Days also took place at Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park, NJ on Saturday (May 19th).
Ocean Fun Days is presented by founding sponsor New Jersey Natural Gas, in partnership with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, National Park Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium is looking forward to hosting another eventful Ocean Fun Days in 2019!
This year’s highly-anticipated Ocean Fun Days will be held on Saturday, May 19th at Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park and Sunday, May 20th at New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s (NJSGC) headquarters in the historic Fort Hancock section of Sandy Hook. Both events take place rain or shine from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. As always, admission and parking are free to all attendees.
View the official 2018 Ocean Fun Days brochure here!
Ocean Fun Days is a weekend of eco-friendly fun the whole family can enjoy. Many popular exhibitors are scheduled to return in 2018, along with new additions. They’ll offer a diverse array of educational displays, nature tours, and interactive programs focused on coastal stewardship and energy conservation. Activities at both locations include seining, coastal crafts, an energy scavenger hunt, youth fishing clinic, face painting, touch tanks, games and exciting giveaways.
New this year at Island Beach State Park, volunteer to help plant dune grass and keep the park clean by collecting marine debris and learning about our oceans’ plastic pollution problem with park staff. Register on-site for workshops including kayak and surfing demonstrations, seining the bay, and shorebird watching.
On Sandy Hook, be sure to see NJSGC’s famous fiddler crab races and take part in Dr. Amy Williams’ thrilling Rip Currents vs. Sharks trivia game to learn about ocean hazards and beach safety. Meet author Don Walsh as he reads from his book “Teach the Beach” and don’t miss Kevin Murray, from Sandy Hook’s Kayak and Sup Rentals on the parade ground as he shares useful tips about paddleboarding and kayaking on the bay. As always, the NOAA Fisheries Service James J. Howard Lab will be open to the public as will historical WWI and WWII sites throughout the park including Battery Gunnison and History House. New this year at Sandy Hook there will also be boats and historic military vehicles on display. Complimentary shuttle bus service is provided from 11 a.m. to 3p.m. to take visitors to all tour sites.
Ocean Fun Days is presented by founding sponsor New Jersey Natural Gas, in partnership with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, National Park Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Please visit NJSGC’s official OFD webpage for more information.
This one word synthesizes our essence. The dictionary states that energy is the strength and vitality required for sustained physical and mental activity. For the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, energy turns the idea of who we are into the reality of who we are. The idea, as expressed in our mission statement, is to promote the wise use of New Jersey’s marine and coastal resources through research, education and outreach. ambitious? Yes. Challenging? Yes. achievable? You bet.
Without energy, our mission is no more than an empty proclamation about humankind’s relationship with the sea. With energy, our dreams become tangible. The astounding energy of our scientists unravels the hidden power of dunes, explores the mystery of climate change on summer flounder, and discovers how to optimize fishing regulations. the boundless energy of our education staff opens the minds of 20,000 school children, nurtures college students to take up a career in marine science, and sponsors Ocean Fun Days that unite a State. The focused energy of our extension staff works with communities on addressing coastal concerns, commercial fisheries, and water quality. All of our energy is for you. As we’ve mentioned so many times in these pages, Superstorm Sandy was a stark call from Mother Nature to pay her some mind. others can debate why our world is changing; our role is figuring out how to cope with the new order. All of us reside in a coastal environment. For this reason, the work we do benefits all.
Let our energy inspire you toward action. Read about the changed landscape. Learn. Talk to your family, your neighbors. Celebrate our maritime heritage. Make a field trip to our headquarters on Sandy Hook. our staff will truly move you. Once you are moved to action, join our crusade. We are here fighting for your present, and assuring a safe, healthy and energized future.
On behalf of the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium, its members, its stakeholders, its trustees, and our valued staff, I am honored to present this annual report.
New Jersey has a well-established hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) aquaculture industry originating in the 1970s. Extensive aquaculture of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica involving bottom planting of shell and wild stocks dates back to the 1800s, but this practice was largely abandoned due to the onset of oyster disease in the late 1950s and presently accounts for only a small percentage of New Jersey’s oyster harvests. Since 1997, oyster culture based on the planting of disease resistant hatchery-reared seed has steadily increased with farms developing in the Delaware Bay and Atlantic coastal bays. In 2012, the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, Rutgers University and New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium began an annual survey program aimed at capturing the status and trends associated with shellfish aquaculture in New Jersey. The survey is modeled after a successful program conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. This report represents the fifth survey year.
Nor’easters and snowfalls and windy ice storms– oh my! But over the past few blustry months, the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium (NJSGC) kept things moving and grooving.
In this edition of the COASTodian, delve into NJSGC’s latest batch of research projects, discover underwater exploration with student-made ROV’s, tour Monmouth County’s “Tracking Sandy” exhibit, and learn more about upcoming events and various summer programs. We’ve also dedicated a section on how you can voice your support of the Sea Grant program by contacting your elected representatives.
NJSGC strives to inform the public about coastal and environmental concerns in new and exciting ways – please take a look!
