NYSG’s Spring 2011 New York Coastlines is available as a pdf, both in its full print version (see sidebar at right) and as individual articles. For individual articles and back issues of New York Coastlines, click here.
From the Director
Welcome to New York Sea Grant’s (NYSG’s) Spring 2011 New York Coastlines issue, though it barely feels like spring in New York. It is was almost a relief to spend a few days in the Texas heat recently, while participating in a site review of the Texas Sea Grant Program at Texas A&M University. The big news is the arrival of Dr. Kathy Bunting-Howarth at Cornell University as our new Associate Director for Extension, after more than two years of capable but interim direction by several members of our extension staff. Read about Kathy’s goals, interests, and background on page 3. It is great to have her on board, particularly in our 40th Anniversary Year!
We kick off the spring of this anniversary year by announcing our newly funded research projects, each one selected because it addresses an issue important to New York waters. NYSG recently conducted two rounds of research proposal review: one for our core research program valued at over $882K, and a special one for Long Island Sound conducted jointly with Connecticut Sea Grant with $1.28M in funding from EPA’s Long Island Sound Study (LISS). As a result, 11 new research projects have just begun. Much of the funded core research builds upon previous successful NYSG projects from a variety of focus areas, but all are directed at improving management outcomes in New York waters.
Funded projects include: an evaluation of benthic habitat classification schemes in coastal marine systems, management of risk from Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia Virus (VHSV) in bait minnows in the Great Lakes region, development of mitigation strategies to reduce the impact of Quahog Parasite Unknown (QPX) disease on hard clam transplant fishery, stock identification of summer flounder using advanced genetic techniques, and future changes in east coast storms and their impact on coastal inundation.
Several of the new Long Island Sound projects focus on nitrogen in the Sound, since it is historically a major contributor to plankton growth and oxygen depletion. These projects examine nitrogen inputs, removal processes, and impacts in various parts of the Sound. Another project will probe the effects of increasing populations of gelatinous zooplankton (jellyfish and their relatives) on Long Island Sound food webs and oxygen depletion. A final project looks at the causes of increased toxic Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in Long Island waters. New York Sea Grant is currently reviewing another round of proposals for our core research program, and anticipates funding another 8-10 new projects next year.
