Making Waves - Highlights of Marine Activities Across the Disciplines In this issue of the Strandline newsletter, we dive into several ocean related activities that can help us understand and protect this essential resource. The combined expertise in marine science, maritime history, engineering, aquaculture, education, and citizen science help us to learn about complex interactions in the ocean. We will meet marine biologists, conservationists, researchers, engineers, and educators who are helping to inform us and who provide the science we need to understand and conserve our oceans.
First, we catch up with the Priscilla boat trip and see our members conducting water testing aboard ship while out sailing and then learn about the aquaculture efforts of the Shinnecock Kelp farmers. The newly designated Shinnecock Global Hope Spot recognized by Mission Blue, and innovative technologies such as eDNA that help us to understand how Stonybrook University is uniquely positioned to advance ocean conservation efforts in the Great South Bay, and a feature on horseshoe crabs in the balance gives us a unique perspective on New York City chelicerates. The Waterfront Alliance, a New York Sea Grant/NYSMEA collaboration, the ROV Project launch, and a National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation grant introduces STEM education and climate science to students, while C.A.S.T for Kids shares sport fishing fun for kids with special needs on the Connecticut Saugatuck River with NYSMEA volunteers.
Join us for more adventures at the seashore when we collaborate with New York Sea Grant for the rescheduled October 7th workshop and field experience at Fort Totten. See below for more information and NYSMEA activities, and the work of several marine organizations.
Lisa Breslof President president@nysmea.org
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UPCOMING EVENTS EDUCATION
First Thursday Speaker Series Webinar
To register for this free session, click here.
National Marine Educators Association Ocean Literacy: The Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts for Learners of All Ages (2021).
Principle # 6: The ocean and humans are inextricably connected.
D. The exponential growth of human populations, together with technological advances, have exacerbated changes in the ocean and atmosphere.
D.11. Humans contribute to biolobical changes of the ocean ecosystems.
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Long Island University School of Professional Studies
Online Course THE COASTLINE UNDER SIEGE
Dr. John T. Tanacredi
Hurricanes, shoreline erosion, tsunamis and sea level changes have generated unrelenting expenses, loss of natural resources and loss of human lives. This presentation will focus upon coastal environmental science, estuarine ecosystem dynamics and horseshoe crab ecology including the ecological health of Long Island.
10 a.m. – 12 noon., EST on Zoom
1 session Tuesday, September 12
Fee: $31
To register, click here.
Priscilla Boat Sail with Lou Siegel
Long Island District Director and Past President
Save the Date Beach Clean-up at Jones Beach
September 10th Look for September announcement.
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RECENT EVENTS
Field Trip
Sailing Aboard the Priscilla with Long Island District Director and Past President
Lou Siegel
Ned Black explained plankton collection to the passengers which included, Doreen Bader, NYSMEA past president and Sharon Williamson, retired Nassau BOCES environmental educator. Lou Siegel discussed oxygen levels in the bay. NYSMEA had a great trip on board the Long Island Maritime Museum’s gaff-rigged sloop, Priscilla, an oyster dredgerbuilt in 1888 in Patchogue Long Island. It worked the oyster beds in Jamaica Bay and then Long Island Sound from 1888 until 1963, and thereafter sailed as a pleasure cruiser until 1976 when it was donated to the museum. After an extensive restoration in 2006 it has been carrying passengers for pleasure/educational cruises on Great South Bay. Click here for the Long Island Maritime Museum.
On a beautiful August afternoon, we sailed from Oakdale Long Island into the Great South Bay. The first female captain, Kathleen Wells, with the assistance of the all-volunteer crew, guided the vessel out of its berth, raised the sail and two hours of wonderful sailing followed. Crew members Lou Siegel and Ned Black discussed the history of the boat and the ecology of the bay. Various chemical, biological and weather readings were taken and entered into an online database maintained by the Audubon Society. All fares are used for the maintenance of the vessel. To follow our trip, click here.
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Shinnecock Kelp Farmers Zoom Discussion
Photo by Giada Lubomirski
Director of the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, Tela Troge, recently discussed "Restorative Aquaculture with Shinnecock Kelp Farmers" at their August 8th zoom speaker series Kelp Kulture. "This quarterly series is co-created by members of a UCLA grant program to build conversation around the invaluable kelp forest ecosystem and its intricate links to various cultures, professions, and academia. Kelp Farmers, and Indigenous women-led collective, cultivating sugar kelp to restore Shinnecock Bay and produce an environmentally friendly soil amendment using skills passed down for 10,000 years." To learn more about the kelp forest ecosystem and the Shinnecock Kelp Farmers, follow them on social media or check out recent publications for more information. To get involved to give a talk or share your work, click here.
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Building Connections with Organizations and Educators
NYSMEA and SEAGRANT collaboration is rescheduled for October 7th due to recent inclement weather conditions cancelling the previously scheduled event. Both organizations are planning a field trip day and a brain-storming session to share educational resources. The location is the Field Station at Fort Totten in an in-person SEAGRANT and NYSMEA leadership and focus group meeting. Scan the QR code to register for this professional development day for members, teachers, and educators or click here to register.
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Philanthropy Update from Board Member Dr. Meghan Marrero
National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation Grant
July and August were busy months for grant activities! The NYSMEA ROV team partnered with the Mercy University Center for STEM Education and the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers program to introduce middle school students from the Bronx and Westchester to marine science and exploration using ROVs and other tools. On July 27th, marine engineer Danelle Cline from the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) zoomed with the students to discuss the work that she does, employing tech tools for deep ocean science and exploration. She illustrated how she uses tools such as ROVs, AUVs, hydrophones, and drones to collect data, and then relies on AI and other tools to help analyze the findings. The nearly 125 6th-8th graders gathered at Five Islands Park in New Rochelle to observe the ROV dive. They found sea grasses and seaweeds; invertebrates such as oysters, clams, and spider crabs; and even got to virtually swim with a school of silversides. Students also used drones to observe different marine habitats including mud flats and salt marshes. Click here for the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.
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Project ROV Launch Update from Site Director and Scuba.Tech Founder
Chris Drew
Preparing to dive-Denyse Wharf, Verrazzano Narrows Bridge; Josh launching ROV; Kyra scouting Coney Island dive site; ROV team.
Scuba.Tech partnered with the New York State Marine Education Association (NYSMEA) and Executive Director Adam Riback to explore the littoral waters off Denyse Wharf and Coney Island's Dreamland Park. Our objective was to use NYSMEA’s new Blue Robotics ROV to find evidence of Revolutionary War history near the shores of Fort Hamilton, and to locate artifacts related to Coney Island’s Dreamland Amusement Park. Additionally, the Scuba.Tech team wanted to cross-train their crew on all ROV operating positions. Uniquely joining the team was Andrew Huebner, a historian from Washington D.C., who brought not only his nautical skill, but also a vast amount of research to pair with the contextual knowledge of the region’s historical events and artifacts. We are happy to report that all sites were explored and that all training objectives were met. The crew roster for today’s expedition was: - Christopher Drew: Site Director, Scuba.Tech Founder - Josh Gross: Primary ROV Pilot, Tether Trainer - Andrew Huebner: Tether Operator, Historian, Narrative Engagement - Henry Tippens-Richan: Primary Camera Operator, Relief Crew - Kyra Tippens-Richan: Secondary Camera Operator, Relief Tether - Adam Riback: NYSMEA Executive Director - Jim: Skipper of vessel, and generous host! The first dive brought some challenges. The USCG traffic control safety process for diving operations in a restricted safety area was difficult to navigate, but was accomplished on-site by Christopher Drew, director and founder of Scuba.Tech. Once at the dive site and under the watchful eye of the Coast Guard, the Scuba.Tech team proceeded with the diving operations. However, our success was limited due to low visibility and strong currents as well as a failure of the ROV’s video subsystem. As we used the BlueROV2 system, we took notes on its shortcomings with hopes to help Blue Robotics to further develop their products and services. After the tide window expired, we packed up and headed over to our next dive site: Coney Island waters. Once positioned for the second dive off Coney Island, all ROV systems were recovered and temperatures nominal. With that, we launched the ROV, and faced more camera difficulties. These were successfully restored with our troubleshooting checklists and the expert guidance of Primary ROV Pilot, Josh Gross. While diving, we found numerous horseshoe crabs, schools of fish, one hermit crab, and multiple items of interest. The dive was successfully concluded at 1528/3:28pm with no further issues.
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FEATURED NEWS
Point of View: Horseshoe Crabs are Hanging in the Balance on Long Island, Long Island Press. Click here for article.
Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont signed legislature banning the harvesting of horseshoe crabs. Click here for article.
VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
C.A.S.T. for Kids
On August 13, NYSMEA's President, Lisa Breslof, and Past President and Long Island Distrist Director, Lou Siegel, volunteered for C.A.S.T for Kids. We introduced kids with disabilities to sport fishing and supported their families on the Connecticut Saugatuck River thanks to the generosity of the Marcus Family. Click here for C.A.S.T. for Kids.
C.A.S.T. Eastern Regional Director, Jeff Barnes and Siegel grandson with kids and a catch; Lou fishing with a young participant; mother and daughter participants fishing; young people fishing with the help of volunteers; Lisa and Lou trying their hand at fishing; volunteers and participant group shot; and Bonnie Siegel Marcus, the host with her father Lou.
National Marine Educators Association Conference
Next year's NMEA conference will be hosted by the Massachusetts Marine Educators from July 28 to August 1 at Boston University. Please consider attending.
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PROFILES IN VOLUNTEERISM Youth Exploring the Natural World: John Dewey High School and NYSMEA team up to encourage student aspirations and envision a future in marine and coastal science.
Creating tomorrow's environmental stewards can start as early as high school or in college. NYSMEA and John Dewey H.S. are rising to the call and bringing together students in a partnership that inspires volunteering in the care of our coastal communities. For approximately six years, NYSMEA has biannually held beach clean-ups at Kaiser Park during It's My Estuary Day events. Activities included trash pickup, debris removal and teaching others about the marine world and the benefits of the day's activities. Seining, water quality testing and ROV underwater explorations of the site which is coordinated by Executive Director Adam Riback round out the day's activities. These efforts have a direct impact on the local community and teach new skills to student volunteers while fulfilling aspirations in high school study and college preparation.
Meet Russel Fajardo, a recent Graduate of John Dewey High School in Brooklyn where he was inspired to follow his path to volunteerism. Here we see him in waders preparing to sein in the Coney Island Creek of Kaiser Park. He is involved in Do It Yourself (DIY) hydroponics through inspiration from his teacher Wade Moody and his interest in NYC water through his exposure to his science teacher Ms. Li. He has also joined the National Wildlife Federation's Resilient Schools Consortium (RiSC) program - RiSC Students: Climate Resilience Ambassadors in Coney Island. See the National Wildlife Federation Blog (nwf.org).
In His Own Words My hands-on experience: I loved the amount of freedom I had to work and do things my own way with my teachers there to back me up and guide me through.
My favorite part of my volunteer experience: It was the amount of time I had to be around and appreciate the wildlife around me especially during the cleanups.
My participation in marine biology in beach cleanups and classroom activities: I did a bunch of beach cleanups and beach grass planting with RiSC and the school. I also worked on helping care for and creating hydroponic and aquaponic systems.
My motivation to go to college: It was to become an environmental engineer and do a job in environmental science, and I wanted to help people as well.
Age and year starting out in beach cleanups: I started cleaning up beaches at age 16 in 2022.
Skills developed at John Dewey H.S.: I was able to learn how to speak publicly to others. I also learned to CAD and code at Dewey as well.
Passion ignited at Dewey: The passion ignited from Dewey was that I wanted to work as an environmental engineer to learn new ways to protect us from the changing climate and to protect our environment from the changes we are trying to make in this world.
Russel in Action
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Activities and More on our Facebook Page Living Breakwaters Shore Walk
