DEC Fisheries End-of-Season Work

As the cold winter winds blow in and docks are pulled from marinas along the estuary, there is end-of-season work to be done for the people lucky enough to call the river their workplace. For the members of the NYS DEC Fisheries Unit that work includes retrieving the equipment they have deployed in the Hudson as part of their Atlantic Sturgeon and American Shad Study.

For many seasons now, Riverkeeper has assisted with the equipment retrieval, putting the muscle of the patrol boat, and captain, to good use.

Mid-season we assist with the retrieval of the hydrophones and moorings, from which data is downloaded for analysis.

This important study helps us to better protect two fish species which are currently in decline in the Hudson and elsewhere - the Atlantic Sturgeon and the American Shad. To better understand the spawning habitats, migratory patterns, and more, the Fisheries Unit catch the fish with nets, collect biological data, tag them, and then release them back into the river. Their tags then transmit information on their movement to the stationary equipment in the river and a boat-based mobile hydrophone system.

Each fish is named after someone famous (a rock star, a character from Harry Potter or Star Wars) which we agree befits their splendor!

The largest sturgeon caught and tagged to date was a 7.9 foot, 230 pound, female. Wow.

For more on these rock stars of the river, and the two-legged rock stars who monitor them and plan for their future, check out - http://www.dec.ny.gov/pubs/53534.html

Tagging Atlantic Sturgeon near Norrie Point

We came upon the DEC fisheries team in the process of tagging six males – all about 6 feet long. These fish are so astounding to see up close! Our Atlantic Sturgeon population has been nearly wiped out by overfishing. There are more males now because it was the females that were taken for their eggs/caviar. Any species whose eggs are a gourmet treat is in real trouble! Unlimited harvest of a fish species just before they spawn is a pretty efficient way to exterminate them. We did it to Atlantic Sturgeon until 1997 and River Herring and American Shad as well. This year however, the shad fishery has been suspended – in the hope that the stock can be restored. Our declining herring population still has no protection at all.

Atlantic Sturgeon "young of year"

This photo of an Atlantic sturgeon “young of year” says it all. At the hand of fishermen they have been almost eliminated from the Hudson for their flesh and their eggs (caviar). And by the hand of man they may be restored. The spawning run today is estimated to include fewer than 300 females. A few centuries ago their numbers were thought to be “countless.” We fished them down to the brink before the fishery was closed in 1996. Riverkeeper assists the DEC Fisheries team with their Atlantic sturgeon monitoring program. Time will tell whether we stopped the harvest in time. This little fish will have to survive until she is almost 20 before she returns to her natal river to spawn for the first time. She is hope for the future.

Photo Courtesy of Dave Conover.

Radioactive contamination in shellfish studied

Photos by John Lipscomb

Patrolled with Indian Point Policy Analyst Phillip Musegaas. We gathered clams from the bottom of the east end of Haverstraw Bay in a “practice run” to prepare for eventually having clams and other shellfish analyzed for radioactive contamination that may be a result of the leaks from Indian Point’s spent fuel pools. Radionuclides, particularly strontium-90, concentrate in the bones and shells of fish and shellfish. Several samples of Hudson River fish have already shown slightly elevated levels of strontium-90, but the results are inconclusive because of fish migration patterns. Sampling shellfish would provide a better picture of the leaks’ effects on the Hudson ecosystem. Testing clams for strontium-90 is especially critical because they are a major food source for Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon that winter in Haverstraw Bay.


Photo above shows clams and typical (healthy) bottom sediment in lower estuary.

Supporting DEC's Atlantic Sturgeon Study

This Atlantic Sturgeon was caught in Haverstraw Bay on May 23rd. He's 7'3" and weighs 200 lbs. DEC Fisheries tells us that approximately 300 female and 700 male spawning age Atlantic Sturgeon remain in the Hudson. They were almost fished out for their meat and eggs (caviar) before the fishery was closed in 1996. Recovery will be very slow because female don't spawn until they are around 20.

The DEC attaches satellite and sonic tags so that the fish can be tracked over time. We have to know their habits to protect them. Riverkeeper, patrol boat assists by lifting the hydrophone moorings and buoys at Hastings and at Catskill twice a year to download data.

We love this project.

Tracking Atlantic Sturgeon in the Hudson

Riverkeeper assists the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Fisheries of New Paltz with installing hydrophones that track sturgeon of spawning age. An important part of this program is catching Atlantic Sturgeon and attaching computerized tags. There are 1,000 (700 males and 300 females) left in the estuaries. Protection of sturgeon spawning grounds and habitat is essential.

Interstate Environmental Commission collecting water quality indicators and enterococcus.

DEC Fisheries onboard to retrieve Sturgeon tracking equipment

DEC Fisheries staff with their sturgeon tracking hydrphone on deck.

Nyack to Hastings. Assist staff from the NYS DEC Fisheries Unit to retrieve a sturgeon tracking hydrophone and its mooring. The float buoy had separated from the instrument which was lying on the bottom. The DEC is studying the feeding, spawning and wintering grounds of Atlantic Sturgeon to better protect them.