Get the shades and sunscreen out! Several early weather forecasts already predict a hot-and-dry summer season throughout New Jersey, with much less rainfall compared to last year. With sunnier days and warmer temperature ahead, even more people will be flocking to the Garden State’s beautiful coastline over the next several months.
And thankfully, we’re ready for them. — Danica Bellini, NJSGC Communications Specialist
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Dr. Jon K. Miller (NJSGC/Stevens Institute of Technology) delivered a promising report at this year’s State of the Shore media event, announcing that NJ beaches are in prime condition heading into the Memorial Day Weekend (and beyond).
“Overall, New Jersey enters this summer season with its beaches in extremely good shape. The past two winter storm seasons have been relatively mild which has allowed the beaches to remain fairly robust. Many communities have benefited from the addition of sand through beach nourishment projects since [Hurricane] Sandy, and the majority of that sand remains in the system, ready to absorb the impact of future storms. As is typical in the late spring/early summer, the beaches are currently in their most narrow configuration; however, they will likely regain their width in the coming months as offshore sand bars migrate towards the coastline and reattach. Due to the relatively mild winter, it is likely that the beaches will regain their full width early on in the summer season which is good news for coastal residents, businesses, and visitors.”
NJDEP Commissioner Catherine McCabe expressed similar views:
“The beaches are in great shape. The water quality is in great shape. Come to the beaches and enjoy yourselves. And everyone that’s not from New Jersey, come to enjoy and discover out beaches.”
Dr. Amy Williams, NJSGC’s Coastal Ecosystems Extension Agent from Stevens Institute of Technology, also promoted the program’s Rip Current Awareness campaign during an impassioned speech about beach safety and ocean hazards.
“More than 80 percent of surf-related ocean rescues are attributed to rip currents,” said Dr. Williams. “It is critical that swimmers not panic if caught in one and that they swim parallel to the shoreline until they are no longer in its grasp. At that point, they should be able to swim safely back to shore.”
Get the shades and sunscreen ready! The fun-filled days of summer are fast approaching, which means it’s finally time to cast your vote for New Jersey’s favorite beach!
Starting today, fans get to choose their favorite local “hotspots” from a list of amazing beaches throughout the Jersey Shore’s four coastal counties – Atlantic, Cape May, Monmouth, and Ocean. New Jersey Sea Grant (NJSGC) will announce the winners around the July Fourth holiday.
This year’s poll debuted during a LIVE broadcast on the Asbury Park boardwalk with 94.3 “The Point.”
Debuting in 2008 as New Jersey’s “Top Ten Beaches,” the survey was initially designed to encourage friendly competition and camaraderie amongst popular Jersey Shore communities along the coast. Following Hurricane Sandy, the contest was rebranded “Favorite Beaches” to diversify results so that ALL areas of the Garden State’s gorgeous oceanfront are recognized, inspiring a refreshing sense of unity and support.
An overall victor is still announced, with Ocean City remaining undefeated champ over the past several years. But will that impressive winning streak end in 2019? Asbury Park has definitely proved a fierce competitor over the past couple years… You decide!
Be sure to share NJSGC’s highly-anticipated “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 and New Jersey Natural Gas would like to thank everyone who came out to celebrate the 16th annual Ocean Fun Days with us. We experienced record-breaking crowds this weekend, with smiles and eagerness to learn all around. Thanks especially to our sponsors and exhibitors – this festival wouldn’t be possible without their hard work and dedication!
We’d love to hear your thoughts on what makes this event so great, and how we can improve things in the future. Please take a moment to complete our online questionnaire.
BONUS: Submit your email with the survey and have a chance to win a one-of-a-kind “OFD 2019” t-shirt! [As pictured below on NJSGC’s doggie mascot, Taylor Ham]
New Jersey boasts some of the most picturesque beaches along the East Coast. If you have a great shot that celebrates and embraces the natural elements of the Garden State’s beautiful coastline, submit the image to NJSGC’s revamped “Favorite Beaches of the Jersey Shore” photo contest! Ultimately, the top twelve photos will be used to create New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s annual desktop calendar.
About the Contest:
New Jersey Sea Grant’s graphic design team will select 24 photos from all entries received up until June 1st. Those finalists will then be posted on the NJSGC website where visitors can vote for their favorite throughout the month leading up to the July Fourth holiday.
New Jersey’s “Favorite Beaches” Photo Contest Submission Guidelines: (If your submission does not meet the following guidelines, it will not be considered)
The email entry must include: name, current hometown, contact information (phone and email) and a title or name for the image.
Photo files must be .JPG format and a minimum of 300 DPI saved at quality setting of “10” or higher and 8 ½” for longest side
Images should be horizontal (landscape)
Entries will be accepted until 9 pm (EST) on June 1st, 2019
Submit only your own original work
Stick to the contest theme: The Natural Elements of New Jersey Beaches. We welcome both traditional and innovative approaches to this subject
Photos should be appropriate for a general audience. Explicit content is expressly prohibited
Post-processing and digital manipulation is not allowed, but minor adjustments to contrast, subtle burning, and dodging are acceptable since some images need minor adjustments due to scanning process or camera settings
All entries become the property of NJSGC and may be used by the organization for other educational or marketing materials (the twelve finalists will receive an additional waiver for signature prior to publication of the calendar)
By submitting your photo to this contest, you grant NJSGC permission to publicly display, reproduce, and use the photographs in all manner and media for any and all purposes, including related promotional purposes, in perpetuity. However, you will retain the copyright to your photo and NJSGC will not sell your photo. You also warrant that the photo is your original work and does not violate the copyright or any other personal or property right of any third party, and that you may be required to and can obtain any and all releases and permissions necessary for its use in the production of our calendar, including releases for any recognizable faces, unless they are incidental to a larger scene (e.g., a group of sunbathers on the beach)
To celebrate NJSGC’s “Favorite Beaches” contest in 2019, we’ll be announcing the Top 12 photos that received the most votes right before the July Fourth holiday. These images will be used to create the 2020 NJSGC downloadable desktop calendar, which will also feature useful coastal facts and information that will help locals and visitors learn more about and appreciate the Jersey Shore. The twelve finalists will receive an additional waiver for signature prior to publication of the calendar.
Enrollment is still open for NJSGC’s College Program and Marine Science Day Camp.
Are you currently enrolled at one of NJSGC’s Member Institutions? If so, take advantage of some “beach” learning this summer! NJSGC offers sessions on Intro to Marine Science and Intro to Marine Biology which can be transferred as direct credit. For more information, please visit our College Programs website.
As for those younger students interested in STEM, our marine science day camp program covers a diverse range of topics appropriate for grades 3-9. Spots are still available but do fill-up quickly, so please contact Rosemary Higgins for any further inquiries.
We can’t wait to learn with you this summer at the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium!
We are delighted to announce that the next Individual Environmental Science merit badge program will be held at NJSGC on Sunday, May 5 (10:00 am – 3:00 pm) and the Individual Oceanography merit badge program on Saturday, May 11 (10:00 am– 2:00 pm). The fee is $45.00/scout for each class; adults are free. Continue reading for more information!
*** NOTICE *** ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FOR MAY 2019 IS NOW FULL
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MERIT BADGE
In this interactive program at Sandy Hook, scouts will learn the basics of environmental science as we explore various aspects of the maritime environment. Through seining (net and boots provided), we will learn what lives in Sandy Hook Bay and about aquatic-based food webs. Hiking through the salt marsh, we will learn about its ecology through birding, plant identification, tidal impacts, water chemistry tests, and conduct a vegetation survey. We will study the effects of pollution on various environments both at the beach and in the laboratory, including simulated oil spills and acid rain, and discover how waves and tides affect pollution. Scouts will learn about biodegradable materials. We will study ocean acidification and soil erosion effects and analyze an Environmental Impact Statement. All badge requirements will be covered in one day except #4A. If scouts choose to, they may finish the badge by writing a lab report for Requirement 4A using vegetation data collected at the marsh. A pre-program activity packet is sent to each troop leader before the program, including an Environmental Science Worksheet which scouts MUST complete and bring with them to the scheduled program. This program is conducted by NJSGC educators who are certified merit badge counselors. The program runs approximately five hours and scouts will need transportation to the marsh site.
OCEANOGRAPHY MERIT BADGE
In a fun “hands on” ocean experience at Sandy Hook, Boy Scouts can complete all badge Requirements (except #8) of the Oceanography Merit badge in one day, with the help of a NJSGC Instructor. Scouts will explore the salt marsh and discover why the ocean is important to people. Activities include measuring beach water quality, studying waves and currents, viewing worldwide sand samples under the microscope, plankton collection and identification, laboratory experiments, and seining in Sandy Hook Bay. If scouts choose to, they can complete Requirement #8 (and the badge) by writing a 500-word report about their visit to NJSGC or give a 5-minute speech about Oceanography to their troop. A pre-program activity packet is sent to each troop leader before the program. It includes a mandatory Oceanography Worksheet and directions on how to make a plankton net. The packet and plankton net MUST be completed and brought to the scheduled program. This program is conducted by NJSGC educators who are also certified merit badge counselors. The program runs approximately four hours and scouts will need transportation to the marsh site.
Registration is mandatory and can be found on our website. The completed registration form goes directly to NJSGC’s Scout Program Coordinator Jody Sackett. Following registration, you will receive a confirmation along with payment instructions. Please feel free to contact Ms. Sackett at 732-872-1300 x20 with any further questions, and we look forward to seeing your scout here at NJSGC on Sandy Hook!
It’s time to “chill out” and catch up with New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium! We hope that everyone enjoyed a wonderful holiday season, but now let’s get ready to “spring forward.” Check out some highlights from this edition of the COASTodian:
NJSGC
revamped its rip current awareness program, and we’re currently looking for
more student participation. Learn how to get your local school or library
involved.
The
16th annual Ocean Fun Days takes place May 18-19th, so be sure to join our
official Facebook event
page
for special highlights and updates.
Former
NJSGC fellow Dr. Christopher Free was recently featured in a New York Times article… continue reading
to find out why!
Interested
in a job where you get to explore Sandy Hook while teaching children about
marine science? NJSGC’s hiring part-time
field instructors, with no experience necessary!
Barracks building 22 restored // Executive Director Claire Antonucci cuts the ribbon for NJSGC’s grand opening at Fort Hancock in Sandy Hook, NJ on July 12th, 2010. From left: Dr. Howard Parish (NJSGC Board of Trustees), Pete McCarthy (Unit Coordinator; NPS), Sean T. Kean (former State Senator; 2008-2012), Claire Antonucci (NJSGC Executive Director), Guy Hembling (Charles B. Hembling and Son, construction firm), Deborah Quinn (NJSGC Office Manager) Credit: Marsha Samuel (former NJSGC Communications Specialist) https://www.nps.gov/gate/barracks-building-22-restored.htm
Plus so much more! And as always, be sure to check out what’s new and get involved by tagging us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
NJSGC is currently seeking research projects to be funded for the program’s 2021-2023 Omnibus. According to Sea Grant Program Associate Diana Burich, 40 pre-proposals were recently received, each including one principal investigator (PI) and potentially one or more co-principal investigators (Co-PIs). Of those 40 submitted, 17 are new PIs applying through NJSGC. Several institutions are represented, including Drexel University, Monmouth University, Montclair State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Princeton University, Rowan University, Rutgers University, Stevens Institute of Technology, Stockton University, and The College of New Jersey.
This year, NJSGC’s Technical Review Panel (TRP) includes 11 experts specialized in various fields. The TRP will review all pre-proposals and invite PIs to submit full proposals on April 2nd. The panel will then evaluate proposals during the summertime alongside a team of external peers, with comments provided by Stakeholder Advisory Board members and extension staff.
Full proposals are due by June 17th, 2019. Awards are determined in September, with NSGO finalization and a public announcement made in October.
Join NJSGC and New Jersey Natural Gas (NJNG) for our 16th annual Ocean Fun Days! This popular two-day event takes place on Saturday, May 18th at Island Beach State Park and Sunday, May 19th at Sandy Hook from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. both days, rain or shine. FREE ADMISSION FOR ALL!
Join the official FACEBOOK EVENT page for more exciting updates and behind-the-scenes info!
Also please visit the OFD website for more information and directions.
Enjoy hands-on marine and environmental programs and exhibits. There will be giveaways and plenty of excitement, plus fun ways to learn about our coastal environment and energy conservation for the whole family to enjoy.
Learn how to use a seine net to catch native fish, crabs, and other marine creatures. Grab a fishing rod and join the youth fishing clinic. Test your boating safety knowledge or become a beachcomber and search for natural treasures on a guided tour. Hear firsthand from New Jersey scientists and researchers all about the inner-workings of the ocean and the coastline and how to protect them for generations to come.
On Sunday at Sandy Hook, the NOAA Marine Fisheries Lab building will be open to the public, with many interactive exhibits as well as scientists and researchers on hand to share with you their exciting work. This only happens just once a year!
Don’t miss out on these two days of Free Family Fun!
NJSGC would like to congratulate former National Marine Fisheries Service/Sea Grant “Population and Ecosystem Dynamics” fellow Christopher Free on recently having part of his PhD dissertation published in the acclaimed peer-reviewed academic journal, Science magazine. A brief abstract from Free’s “Impacts of Historical Warming on Marine Fisheries Production” states:
Climate change is altering habitats for marine fishes
and invertebrates, but the net effect of these changes on potential food
production is unknown. We used temperature-dependent population models to
measure the influence of warming on the productivity of 235 populations of 124
species in 38 eco-regions. Some populations responded significantly positively
and others responded significantly negatively to warming, with the direction
and magnitude of the response explained by eco-region, taxonomy, life history,
and exploitation history. Hindcasts indicate that the maximum sustainable yield
of the evaluated populations decreased by 4.1% from 1930 to 2010, with five
ego-regions experiencing losses of 15 to 35%. Outcomes of fisheries management
– including long-term food provisioning – will be improved by accounting for
changing productivity in a warmer ocean.
Free’s work was also featured in a New York Times article entitled “The World is Losing Fish to Eat as Oceans Warm, Study Finds.”
According to Trevor Branch, an associate professor at the University of Washington’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences (who was not involved in the study), “This is going to be one of those groundbreaking studies that gets cited over and over again… Most of what I’ve seen before in terms of climate-change impacts have been speculative, in terms of, ‘We think this is what’s going to happen in the future.’ This one’s different.”
Sending our congratulations from New Jersey – we’re so proud of you Chris! Formerly of Rutgers University, Free’s now a postdoctoral researcher with the Sustainable Fisheries Group at UC Santa Barbara.
