Although current forecasts predict that Hurricane Florence will not directly or severely impact the Garden State, it’s always safer to remain alert and aware while having an emergency plan in place. New Jersey may still see flooding, rip currents, and beach erosion. Please stay informed and aware. At NJSGC, we’re here to help.
Summer is almost over, but with less beach traffic and warmer ocean temperatures, most locals consider September an ideal time to still enjoy the Jersey Shore.
New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium would like to remind everyone to always remain safe and alert during these last few weeks of summer. Rip currents are still a huge danger, and it is never safe to swim without lifeguard supervision. NJSGC’s Rip Current Awareness Program was established to better inform the general public about water hazards and beach safety. As always – “When in doubt, don’t go out!”
Because the season is officially over, several beaches no longer provide daily lifeguard patrols. But thankfully, many still do! Please be advised that every town and city has a different set of rules and regulations. Dates and locations are extremely limited. Find more helpful tips below:
NJSGC will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Please contact our Communications Specialist Danica Bellini if you happen to know of any guarded beaches, especially in the Monmouth County area. Thank you, and have a great locals’ summer!
Dr. Kenneth W. Able – longtime Director of the Rutgers University Marine Field Station and NJSGC-funded researcher – was honored with the Dwight A. Webster Memorial Award from the Northeastern Division of the American Fisheries Society (AFS) during the organization’s annual conference held in Atlantic City earlier this month.
The one-day specialty session aimed to celebrate Dr. Able’s lifelong achievements in the field of marine science and beyond:
Dr. Kenneth W. Able has been a faculty member at Rutgers University for 40 years and the Director of the Marine Field Station for over 30 (since 1987). His contributions to estuarine and marine ecology are ubiquitous. They include 252 publications, 23 published abstracts, 3 books, and 51 technical reports. He has received 163 grants, exceeding $20 million. Over the course of his career, he has advised 85 undergraduate and 41 graduate students and mentored 23 postdoctoral researchers. Dr. Able has been honored with multiple awards, such as the Nancy Foster Habitat Conservation Award (2014), the Rutgers University School of Environmental and Biological Sciences Research Excellence Award (2014), and the Oscar E. Sette Outstanding Marine Fishery Biology Award, American Fisheries Society (Marine Fisheries Section, 2004).The purpose of this special symposium is to celebrate Dr. Able’s career. Presentations in this symposium will emphasize his research interests in habitat interactions; the impacts of fisheries, urbanizing estuaries, and climate change on fishes; restoration ecology; and long-term ecological monitoring. Synthesis talks will include results from Dr. Able’s studies, and legacy talks will include studies that have built upon his findings.
Associate Director for the Sea Grant Administration and New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium’s Director of Research & Extension Dr. Peter Rowe held a session entitled “The Role of Sea Grant in the Career of Kenneth W. Able” to honor his ongoing collaboration and contribution to NJSGC’s overall mission. For more information, please view the abstract in its entirety.
Also during the session, University of Rhode Island undergrad Dawn Parry won AFS’ “best student poster” presentation for her ongoing work with NJSGC’s Juvenile Striped Bass research project. Dr. Able is also a distinguished professor on this project, along with Principal Investigator Dr. Olaf P. Jensen and Assistant Research Professor Dr. Paola Lopez-Duarte (Rutgers University). An overview of Parry’s “Distinguishing Juvenile Striped Bass Habitats and Spawning Sites Using Otolith Microchemistry” proposal is as follows:
Recruitment of striped bass from the mid-Atlantic Bight northward is thought to result from spawning in the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware River, and Hudson River. However, juvenile striped bass occur in smaller estuaries throughout their range that could also be spawning sites. One way to determine the origin of striped bass is to study the elemental signatures in their otoliths. As fish grow, trace elements that reflect local environments are incorporated in the otoliths. We used otolith microchemistry to determine whether juvenile striped bass (<300mm TL) collected in New Jersey (Hudson, Raritan, Mullica, and Delaware rivers) from 2014 to 2017 had distinct signatures. Using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Mass Spectrometry, we measured elemental signatures along the otolith edge, which correspond to the most recent environmental conditions experienced by the fish, and elemental signatures closest to the otolith core, which reflect conditions at the spawning site. Principal component analysis revealed that strontium was the most important driver of chemical variation among otoliths from different sites. Otoliths from fish in the Hudson, Mullica, and Delaware rivers had distinct signatures that did not vary greatly over multiple years. Raritan River otoliths separated into two groups, indicating that fish collected there may have originated elsewhere.
NJSGC congratulates Dr. Able and Ms. Parry on these monumental achievements, and would also like to thank organizers Dr. Paola Lopez-Duarte and Dr. Thomas M. Grothues for putting together such an outstanding symposium.
We’re always working hard to provide fresh and entertaining content on NJSGC’s official Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter pages. Be sure to check out what’s new and get involved by tagging us on social media! Please visit njseagrant.org for further information and updates.
We are delighted to announce that the next Individual Enrollment Environmental Science merit badge program will be held at NJSGC on Sunday, September 23, 2018 from 10:00 – 3:00 (CLOSED), and the Individual Oceanography merit badge program on Saturday, September 29, 2018 from 10:00 – 2:00. The fee is $45.00/scout for each class; adults are free. Continue reading for more information!
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 online at: https://njseagrant.org/scout-programs-reservation-form/. 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!
A group of students from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology (MAST) graduating class of 2018 focused their Senior Capstone Project on creating informational “how to” videos for New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium. These short and easy-to-follow tutorials were specifically designed for NJSGC’s education program, but are an extremely useful tool for anyone interested in learning more about general marine science topics including beach dunes, seining, and common mollusks.
The three students – Joseph Chiusano, Griffin Davis, and Michael Dunn – were recognized during the MAST graduation ceremony in June and awarded for their work on this project. Given such success, NJSGC will continue mentoring MAST upperclassmen now interested in continuing this video project. The goal is to build a diverse collection of digital content specific to the Sea Grant brand, while fostering interest in further study of science and technology.
Mr. Chiusano created a video on seining, and he will be studying Computer Information Systems at the University of South Carolina.
Mr. Davis created a video on common mollusks, and he will be studying Electrical Engineering at Villanova University.
Mr. Dunn created a video on beach dunes, and he will be studying Computer Science at Rutgers University.
The clips first debuted on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to extremely positive reviews and feedback. The videos are now available to watch on our website.
NJSGC would like to collectively thank these students for their hard work and ongoing dedication to this project, and we wish them the best of luck in college and beyond!
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!
