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Every year, during the third week of September, we celebrate National Estuaries Week—a time dedicated to raising awareness about the critical role estuaries play in our environment and our lives.
Typically, this week is marked by activities designed to raise awareness about the importance of estuaries, while also calling attention to the threats many face. The American Littoral Society will recognize National Estuaries Week this year with events in New York and New Jersey that include the kick-off for our New York State Beach Cleanup (NYSBC) season and Littorally Local Sunset Cruise. What are Estuaries? So, what are estuaries and why are they important? These unique, vibrant ecosystems are where fresh and salt water mingle or, in other words, where rivers meet the sea. These transitional zones —which include coastal bays, inlets, and tidal rivers — are not only home to beautiful landscapes but also serve as nurseries for marine life, protection for shorelines, and drivers of local economies. Because of their position between land and ocean, estuaries serve as key buffers, absorbing excess water from storms and reducing the impact of coastal erosion. At the same time, they act as natural filters, improving water quality by trapping pollutants and sediments before they reach open waters.  Coastal flooding in Ocean City, NJ. Coastal flooding is a growing problem in New Jersey as climate change impacts the state through sea level rise, more frequent storms, and vulnerable sprawling development.
The NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) recently proposed rules for Protecting Against Climate Threats through Resilient Environments and Landscapes (NJPACT REAL). These rules, which are designed to protect people and places along the coast, lay out a plan to use nature-based solutions that will help protect communities. Unfortunately, they are facing pushback from developers and builders who are prioritizing short-term profits over long-term sustainability. Recently, the American Littoral Society and Watershed Institute held advocacy webinars focused on what NJ's REAL Rules actually say. The Littoral Society’s video also offered guidance on the basics of advocacy and best practices for engaging with government officials, so citizens can effectively participate in upcoming opportunities to comment on the rules. You can watch the webinars at the following links:
 By Samantha Hemming, American Littoral Society Coastal Education Intern
On the last Friday night in July, moth admirers from across the tri-state joined the American Littoral Society in the Sandy Hook maritime forest to celebrate National Moth Week! The evening's activities were led by Senior Ecologist at GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. and moth expert Blaine Rothauser, who offered insight on New Jersey’s rich moth biodiversity and the significance of those winged insects in our ecosystem. To draw in the stars of the show, Rothauser draped a white tarp over his truck and illuminated it with a strong white light on one side and UV light on the other. The light blinds the moths, placing them in a docile state that allows them to be held. Participants of all ages and levels of moth knowledge crowded together with Blaine to learn how to identify and handle the beautiful bugs.  By Stella Mueller, American Littoral Society Education Program Intern
Do you have a child that is fascinated with fishing? Then the Junior Ranger Angler Surf Fishing Program on Sandy Hook could be the perfect way for them to learn the art of casting from a beach. It was for me! Led by the American Littoral Society's Fish Tagging Director Emily McGuckin and rangers from the National Park Service, it offers young people ages 10-16 an opportunity learn from experts about the basics of fishing and why fish tagging is beneficial to conservation, while also getting hands-on experience. This program, which has multiple dates throughout the summer, welcomes anglers with all experience levels and promotes fish tagging to a growing community of local young anglers.   By Stella Mueller, American Littoral Society Education Program Intern
During a recent seining excursion, we caught an abundance of local species that are common along the New Jersey coastline. We hosted about 25 participants, from adults to young children. Everyone got into the fun by pulling the net, examining the species caught, and admiring the beautiful sunset! Among the critters caught were striped killifish, Atlantic silversides, blue crabs, pipefish, fluke, and even a large female horseshoe crab. However, the best discovery of the evening was during our final net pull when we found a massive hermit crab! Typically, the aquatic hermit crabs we catch are about the size of a quarter. This hermit crab however, was about the size of a large egg! You never know what animal you might find next when you’re seining! If you’d like to join us on our next seining trip and catch some critters of your own, please check out our Upcoming Events page or contact Education Coordinator, Audrey Litto: [email protected].  The end of the school year and start of summer is a great time to look back on a season of the Littoral Society's Close Encounters field trips for students, scouts and recreation groups.
The Littoral Society's interactive field trips on Sandy Hook use nature as a classroom, and are not only exciting for students, but also members of our staff and volunteers. Everyone gets the chance to experience the breathtaking coastal environment, with each outing being different from the rest! Our Close Encounters field trip is designed to give students of all ages the opportunity to engage with nature in an enriching and educational manner. By learning about local species through hands-on interactions, students are able to appreciate the amazing ecosystems that surround them and create memories they’ll remember forever.  Do you care about horseshoe crabs? Then please join our continuing effort to help protect them!
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is holding a workshop on July 15 and 16 to discuss the management of Delaware Bay horseshoe crabs. The workshop will be held at the Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental Control's Lewes Field Office at 901 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE. Over the past few years, the ASMFC has attempted to increase the harvest limits for Delaware Bay horseshoe crabs and end a moratorium on harvesting female crabs, even though conservation targets previously agreed to by the Commission have not been reached. Public input in the past, including 34,000 letters in 2022, has helped stave off those proposed changes. According to ASMFC, the upcoming meeting is focused on "providing the space for participants to openly discuss ecosystem and management objectives, identify common ground among divergent stakeholder views, and develop options for Board discussion and consideration. ...no management decisions are being formulated or acted upon at the workshop." However, there will be only limited opportunity for public comments at the meeting and only from those attending in person. If you plan to attend the workshop, you must inform Senior Fishery Management Plan Coordinator Caitlin Starks by noon on Friday, July 12.  American Littoral Society Education Coordinator Audrey Litto leads a Horseshoe Crab Walk on Sandy Hook. If you've ever visited one of Sandy Hook's bayside beaches during May or June, you've probably come across one of our favorite seasonal visitors, the slow moving and strange looking horseshoe crab.
While not nearly as plentiful as they were only a few decades ago, these living fossils still appear in enough numbers to attract attention and occasionally concern from human visitors to our little corner of the Jersey Shore. Many people are familiar with horseshoe crabs, but some may not know just how remarkable they are and more than a few may never have seen one on a beach before. Which is why the American Littoral Society hosts horseshoe crab walks that coincide with the short period of time that the crabs emerge from New Jersey's bays and estuaries. These walks provide a great opportunity to not only see these ancient creatures as they crawl onto beaches, but also learn why they come ashore, how that is critical to the coastal ecosystem, and what makes them more than just a curious sight (such as their blue blood or multiple sets of eyes).  Littoral Society Restoration Technician Toni Rose Tablante with our Delaware Seasonal Technician Trevor Metz on one of our New Jersey beach restoration sites.  The Delaware 302 Horseshoe Crab lifestyle brand. By Trevor Metz, Littoral Society Delaware Seasonal Technician
During my last week with the American Littoral Society, I was treated to a guided tour around South Jersey by fellow staffers Toni Rose Tablante and Shane Godshall. It was one of the few times we got to interact in person during the short, three-month stint I worked with the Society, but we had the same kinds of candid conversations that we had during the interview process back in March. Driving between beaches where Littoral Society restoration projects have been completed or future projects are planned, our conversation turned towards how the work we are doing - or want to be doing - can be most impactful and effective. In Delaware, the Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) was chosen as the state’s official marine animal in 2002. A local lifestyle brand, 302 Horseshoe Crab, has gained considerable popularity in recent years prominently featuring our marine animal and single Delaware area code.  Some special people will be recognized as coastal champions at the Littoral Society's Members Day event on Saturday, June 22.
Among the honorees are Lisa Fanning, our Seastreak Volunteer Coordinator; Kristin Villani, a Science Teacher at Mercy Center's Sisters Academy of New Jersey in Asbury Park, NJ; Dawn Payne, a 4th and 5th Grade Science teacher at Compass Academy Charter School in Vineland, NJ, and Adam Riback, a New York State Beach Cleanup beach captain and Executive Director of New York State Marine Education Association (NYSMEA). Community Partner Award - Lisa Fanning Lisa’s love for the natural world began on the beach at Coney Island, in her native Brooklyn, where her mom would say: “Let’s see what the tide brought in” and encouraged a young Lisa to be curious about the wildlife around her. |
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