NY Coastlines—New York Sea Grant (NYSG)'s flagship publication—and its news archive, Currents, highlight news, events and other activities from our coastal program's various research, extension and education endeavors throughout New York's marine and Great Lakes waters.
Late Fall 2023
NY Coastlines / Currents; Vol. 52, No. 1 & 2 / Vol. 12, No. 1
An aerial of an algal bloom in Port Bay in Lake Ontario. Credit: Roy Widrig/NYSG
NYSG Director's Letter: Becky Shuford
As summer days on New York’s varied coasts sunset, and we advance towards cooler fall days, we are excited to share with you the latest edition of NY Coastlines! To kick it off, we are thrilled to introduce you to two new staff specialists who have joined the New York Sea Grant (NYSG) family. Please welcome Coastal Climate Specialist, Kayla Walsh, based out of our Stony Brook University offices, and Lauren Darcy, Great Lakes Resilience Specialist, based out of Watertown, NY. For contact information for these technical experts, and other NYSG staff please click here. We also bid adieu to Sharon O’Donovan, who embarks on new adventures following over 38 years on NYSG’s communications team. Thank you, Sharon! We wish you fair winds and following seas. Stay tuned for additional staff updates in the future.
Showcased in this edition is NYSG’s annual set of success stories, recapping our programming, activities, partnerships, and accomplishments from the previous year. These are also featured in an interactive storymap. There is something for everyone – across the Great Lakes, the Hudson Estuary, NYC, and Long Island. We are also pleased to announce 10 projects selected for funding in the most recent NYSG biennial research competition. This is the largest project portfolio funded to date!
A few other featured items in the “Currents” section include the report release from the 8th annual Seafood Summit, a YouTube video highlighting the experience of Olivia Bonilla during her Community Engaged Internship, and recorded presentations, including one on MyCoastNY and another on reducing micro and nano fibers in NYC waters – the latter, work being conducted as part of a partnership project with Columbia University (and one of several successful Marine Debris awards from NOAA).
Finally, NYSG is calling on partners and community members to share their thoughts about and experiences with NYSG. In November (19-21), NYSG will have a six-year program evaluation (aka site review) by the National Sea Grant Office at NOAA. Should you have a story or experience about NYSG and/ or staff members you would like to provide, please do so through “What Does NYSG Mean To You” and we may include your testimonial as part of our review materials. You may also share input directly with the National Office via: oar.sg-feedback@noaa.gov (Please put “New York Sea Grant site review” in the email subject line). A Public Notice will come out this fall to formally announce the opportunity for comments on the program, but we thought this was a good occasion to share it with you early.
Read on and enjoy!
— Becky Shuford, NYSG's Director
What's Trending
Subscribe to our social media channels and keep tabs on this fall and winter's #NationalSeafoodMonth (October '24) and #SeaGrantFellowships (October '24—February '25) campaigns, as well as NYSG (job, funding) opportunities, events and other programming ... and much more ... Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; YouTube
Jamaica Bay. Credit: Giles Ashford
Spotlight: What Does NYSG Mean To You?
Sea Grant By The Numbers
For over 50 years, the National Sea Grant College Program (Sea Grant) has supported coastal and Great Lakes communities through research, extension and education.
In 2022, a federal investment in Sea Grant of $89.5 Million resulted in $802.3 Million economic benefit
For more, see "Sea Grant: A Smart Investment in our Coastal Economy" | PDF (Winter 2024)
Also, visit seagrant.noaa.gov/impacts.
*The 2022 federal investment represents Sea Grant Core and Aquaculture Appropriations. Metrics are direct results of Sea Grant work between Feb 1, 2022, and Jan 31, 2023, as reported by Sea Grant programs in Summer 2023. Economic benefit = market & non-market value of Sea Grant's work; value of jobs & businesses ($610.8M), total leveraged funds ($184.3M) & value of volunteer hours ($7.2M).
New York Sea Grant's 2023 Success Stories
Below, we share our annual review of impactful NYSG programming and research. Included are 30 summaries of select work conducted by our program's extension specialists and funded researchers to develop and provide stakeholder-driven, science-based information, tools, and other resources to support local communities, businesses, and individuals achieve objectives related to coastal community, environmental, and economic resilience and sustainability. Read on >>
You can also access this information via an interactive Story Map at www.nyseagrant.org/successstories2023.
Research
Cisco, the focus of a Cornell University-led project, was once a commercially and ecologically important fish in Lake Ontario. The study described the genetic diversity of cisco populations to inform restoration efforts. Credit: Heather Ainsworth
New York Sea Grant Research: 2024 – 2026 Projects
New York Sea Grant (NYSG) has awarded approximately $2.15 million to support 10 research projects, the results of which will directly address multiple high priority community, economic, and environmental objectives. Read on >>
Extension
A water sample is deposited under a special microscope that is synced to the user’s cellphone to take pictures. The photos are uploaded to the BloomOptix server for diatom identification and cell count analysis. Credit: BloomOptix
Coastal Ecosystems, Fisheries
Bridging Research to Action to Reduce Plastic Pollution
NYSG strives to preserve and restore the health of coastal and aquatic ecosystems through innovative research and collaboration for the benefit of present and future generations. Read on >>
Introducing Tools to Enhance Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring Capabilities
AI technology is used to obtain faster testing results when assessing harmful algal bloom events. Read on >>
Supporting Diversity in Fisheries and Angling Communities
NYSG programming connects anglers with fisheries researchers and science-based angling instructors, increasing their knowledge base to more confidently enjoy NY’s fisheries and to consider fisheries career opportunities. Read on >>
Living shoreline project, Tifft Nature Preserve; Credit: Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper / W. Patterson
Coastal Communities, Climate Resilience
Empowering Great Lakes Communities: Climate-Resilient Local Government Training Initiatives
Local government training focused on climate resilience, land use planning, and floodplain management is crucial as it empowers communities to mitigate environmental risks, fostering long-term sustainability and resilience, especially in light of the escalating impacts of climate change. Read on >>
New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Program 2023 Projects
Small grants produce significant results for Great Lakes region communities. Read on >>
MyCoast NY: Engaging Communities to Document Floods and Storm Damage
New York Sea Grant is coordinating a statewide community science program for the public to document and share their experiences with floods, storm damage, and coastal change through photos. Read on >>
NYSG and LISS Partners Conduct Environmental Justice Needs Assessment for Communities in the Long Island Sound Region
This environmental justice needs assessment will help shape future environmental programming and resources to be more useful, relevant, and accessible to underserved populations. Read on >>
Resilience Training Series Empowers Coastal Long Island Sound Communities
Long Island Sound Study Sustainable and Resilient Communities Extension Professionals developed a multi-part series of virtual and in-person events to empower participants to increase the resilience of their communities to climate change and other environmental threats. Read on >>
Breaking Down Barriers to a Resilient Long Island Sound
The Long Island Sound Resilience Grant Writing Assistance Program is an innovative and responsive approach to increasing sustainable and resilient-focused project implementation across the Long Island Sound coastal watershed. Read on >>
New York Sea Grant provided the property owner of this area in Chatauqua County with shoreline best management practices. Credit: Roy Widrig
Coastal Processes, Recreation
Beach and Boating Weather Hazards Bilingual Outreach
New York Sea Grant provides outreach materials in English and Spanish to educate beachgoers and boaters about weather hazards and how to stay safe while they recreate. Read on >>
Sharing Knowledge about Natural and Nature-Based Features (NNBF) in New York
Identifying NNBF knowledge gaps and sharing related research and data informs stakeholders about resilient shoreline practices. Read on >>
Coastal Erosion Forums Enhance Knowledge and Coordination Across Long Island Sound Communities
The Long Island Sound Coastal Erosion Forums held in Suffolk and Nassau Counties brought together more than 90 state and local decision-makers, planners, engineers, and environmental professionals to learn and discuss how to address erosion and increase community resilience. Read on >>
Impacts from NY Shoreline & Virtual Site Visits
New York Sea Grant coastal processes and hazards specialists provide shoreline property owners and managers with information for managing erosion and flooding. Read on >>
The current recirculating aquaculture system at LocalCoho, a salmon farm, in Auburn, NY, recycles 80-85% of its water with plans to increase the recycle rate to 95% and to use the discharge as a nutrient-rich fertilizer for local crop farmers. Credit: LocalCoho
Sustainable Seafood
NYSG Coordinates Seafood Incentives Program to Increase Awareness & Demand for Seafood Farmed & Fished in New York
Fostering growth and resilience in New York’s seafood industry requires knowledgeable buyers and awareness of locally available products. Read on >>
Great Lakes Aquaculture Decision-Maker Day
An opportunity for aquaculture farmers to meet with local legislators and decision-makers to highlight the potential value of the aquaculture industry for New York State and its residents. Read on >>
Education
“Day in the Life” training workshop at Webster Park in Monroe County, NY. Credit: NYSDEC / Emily Fell
Visualizing Sea-Level Rise with NYC Students
The Resilient Schools Consortium program provides New York City youth with opportunities to better understand and address climate impacts in their neighborhoods. Read on >>
Day in the Life Debuts in Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Region
NYSG and partners engaged more than 650 middle school students in hands-on environmental stewardship learning along the shoreline of the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River region. Read on >>
Lake Ontario Shipboard Science Workshop
15 teachers participated in NYSG’s weeklong professional development workshop on Lake Ontario aboard the U.S. EPA R/V Lake Guardian. Read on >>
New York Sea Grant Provides Training Opportunities to Seven Undergraduates
NY Sea Grant supports hands-on training and mentorship to undergraduates underrepresented in coastal professions through opportunities that address timely issues. Read on >>
New York Sea Grant Brings Educators to the Shore and Ocean Literacy into Classrooms Through the Long Island Sound Mentor Teacher Program
Peer-to-peer, hands-on, place-based and STEM-focused professional development opportunities bring ocean/environmental literacy into classrooms throughout Long Island Sound’s Coastal and Inland Communities. Read on >>
National
It doesn't take a major hurricane to cause major impacts to an area. Even relatively weak tropical systems can produce vast amounts of rainfall well inland from the coast, leading to devastating flooding. More from NOAA at www.weather.gov/flood. Credit: NOAA’s “Weather Ready Nation” campaign
National Weather Service: #FallSafety Begins, 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Continues
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reminds us that as we continue through the 2024 Atlantic Hurricane season, which began on June 1st, the key to safety begins with preparation.
Just before Memorial Day, forecasters at the NOAA NWS Climate Prediction Center predicted an above-average season with an emerging La Nina and above-normal Atlantic Ocean temperatures.
At that time, NOAA predicted a likely range of 17-25 named storms, of which 8-13 could become hurricanes, including 4-7 major hurricanes. These are the highest ranges since NOAA started issuing the Outlook. Forecasters provide these ranges with 85% confidence: http://bit.ly/2024AtlanticHurricaneSeasonOutlook.
In early August, NOAA provided its outlook update, in which scientists at U.S. National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center maintained very high confidence for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season to have above-normal activity, with the likelihood increasing to 90%. In this update to the original 2024 Atlantic hurricane season outlook, NOAA called for 17-24 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes & 4-7 major hurricanes: http://bit.ly/AtlanticHurricaneSeasonOutlook2024Update.
Keep an eye on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Winter Weather Safety Campaign, which features messages on the various impacts as temperatures increase, including hurricanes and tornadoes, as well as beach hazards such as rip currents.
Be #WeatherReady through the spring with the NWS latest campaigns, which features a variety of tips to help you better be prepared for seasonal weather hazards. Learn more about Fall Safety (English | Spanish translation)
Keep tabs on weather watches and warnings this season:
• Bookmark www.hurricanes.gov and www.weather.gov
• Follow NOAA’s National Hurricane Center on Twitter at @NHC_Atlantic and NOAA's U.S. National Weather Service at @NWS
• Visit Ready.gov (or Listo.gov) for tips on how to prepare for hurricane season
Regional
A new video in a beach and water safety series from the Great Lakes Sea Grant programs focuses on “How to Escape Dangerous Currents”. Credit: Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant
On YouTube: Beach and Water Safety — Know Before You Go
A new video series on beach and water safety series, created by Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant and its partners, focuses on Lake Michigan. However, many of the lessons shared can be applied to the other Great Lakes, including Lakes Ontario and Erie, both of which have shorelines in upstate New York. Read on >>
In addition to the tips you'll learn through the series, you can also find how best to stay safe while swimming this summer via #BEachSAFEly, www.nyseagrant.org/beachsafely
The Sea Grant Great Lakes Fresh Fish Finder website showcases hard-working local fishers and farmers in communities around the Great Lakes. Credit: Minnesota Sea Grant
On YouTube: Great Lakes Fresh Fish Finder — An Online Tool for Consumers and Businesses
FreshFishFinder.org provides consumers and businesses across Great Lakes states with options on where to find and promote aquaculture and seafood products. Read on >>
NYSG's Currents News Archives (Vol. 12, No. 1)
Keep tabs on NYSG's news in between issues of NY Coastlines / Currents via our Web site (www.nyseagrant.org).
Here's a sampling of other stories that have made waves these past few months on our social media platforms (www.facebook.com/nyseagrant, www.twitter.com/nyseagrant, www.instagram.com/newyorkseagrant, www.youtube.com/nyseagrant) and via our site's News (www.nyseagrant.org/currents) and topic-based News Archives (www.nyseagrant.org/currentsarchive) sections ...
NYSG Research, Extension, and Education > Statewide
On YouTube: Hudson River Community Microplastic Remediation Pilot and Sampling Program (August 2024) Read on >>
In a New York Sea Grant-funded project, investigators from PolyGone aim to pioneer efforts to advance and pilot new aquatic filtration technology designed to monitor and sequester aquatic microplastics from riverine environments.
On YouTube: 2024 Seafood Summit (February-March 2024) Read on >>
Learn more about the 8th annual Seafood Summit, which was held in several different locations throughout NYS this past February and March. Events for the "Access and Opportunities for New York Seafood"-themed summit included New York seafood tastings, industry spotlights, agency updates, and provided opportunities for cross-sector networking. Deliverables include a four page "Exploring Access and Opportunities in New York Seafood" Report and recordings and presentations from the various Summit events.
Press Release: 2024 Seafood Summit Coming to Geneva at Cornell AgriTech (February 2024) Read on >>
Seafood professionals and those vested in enhancing access and opportunities to and for NY’s aquaculture and seafood industries attended a 2024 Seafood Summit event held at Cornell AgriTech’s in Geneva, NY.
NYSG Extension and Education > Marine Waters
On YouTube: 2023 Community-Engaged Fellowship: Olivia Bonilla — My Perspective, My Field, My Future (March 2024) Read on >>
Olivia Bonilla, one of New York Sea Grant's 2023 Community-Engaged Fellowship recipients, created a video about her collegiate experiences. She also aided an ongoing study of the early life stages (eggs and larvae) of fish in the waters off the southern shore of Long Island.
Press Release: Long Island Sound Study Launches New Resilience Resource Hub Website (February 2024) Read on >>
The Long Island Sound Study announces the official launch of the Long Island Sound Resilience Resource Hub website, a user-friendly platform designed to enhance the resilience of New York and Connecticut coastal communities.
On YouTube: MyCoast NY — 2024 Program Updates and Open Forum (January 2024) Read on >>
Highlighted in this presentation is the MyCoast New York portal, which is used to collect and analyze photos of flooding, changing shorelines, and hazardous weather impacts across New York’s various water bodies.
On YouTube: Reducing Micro and Nano Fibers in NYC Waters (January 2024) Read on >>
This presentation — to the Sea Grant Urban Coastal Ocean Program by Catherine Prunella, New York Sea Grant (NYSG) Water Quality Specialist in NYC — is on a research project and outreach focused on microplastics from laundry sources. The Urban Sea Grant Community of Practice was established in Spring 2023 by three Mid-Atlantic Sea Grant professionals — Dr. Emily Maung-Douglass, Delaware Sea Grant; Lilli Genovesi, NYSG; and Zach Nemec, Pennsylvania Sea Grant. The Urban Sea Grant Workgroup met three times over a year, averaging 14 Sea Grant professionals per meeting.
NYSG Extension and Education > Great Lakes Waters
Post-Workshop: Summer 2024 Shoreline Erosion Management Workshop (July 2024) Read on >>
See presentations and photos from this NYSG workshop, during which over 25 shoreline residents and land managers were welcomed for an education session on Lake Erie’s coastal processes and geology, Lake Erie permitting, Coastal Consistency Review, and recent shoreline project in Dunkirk, NY.
In Photos: Great Lakes 'Learn to Fish Seminar' for Women Focuses on Tributary Angling (June 2024) Read on >>
A free hands-on event held in early June for women on Oak Orchard River covered the basics of fly and spin fishing, safety, and fish biology.
Press Release: 2024 Shipboard Science Workshop on Lake Erie (June 2024) Read on >>
Two western NY teachers selected for a shipboard science workshop on EPA Research Vessel Lake Guardian on Lake Erie.
Press Release: NYSG's 2024 Great Lakes Ecosystem Workshops for Teachers and Educators (June 2024) Read on >>
During the summer of 2024, teachers and educators from NY's Great Lakes are invited to participate in professional development opportunities with NYSG, the GLEEE Program, and the Center for Great Lakes Literacy.
Press Release: Virtual and In-Person Help Available to NY Landowners With Shoreline Erosion (April 2024) Read on >>
Landowners along New York's Great Lakes shoreline with erosion or damage caused by flooding, storm surge, water pooling, or wind-wave action can have their property evaluated without cost by NYSG Extension.
On YouTube: 2024 Great Lakes Resilience Video Case Studies (March 2024) Read on >>
A new video series from New York Sea Grant explores Great Lakes topics including resilience, green infrastructure, and the freshwater system's watershed.
Press Release: 2024 CNY Boat Show — Sea Grant, Cayuga Onondaga BOCES, and Partners Bring Marine Industry Careers Focus (February 2024) Read on >>
A Marine Education Center "pop-up" at 2024 CNY Boat Show focused on boating industry job opportunities, Boating and beach hazards, boating safety.
Press Release: Adult and Youth Boater Safety Certification Courses Added to 2024 CNY Boat Show (January 2024) Read on >>
Adults and youth needed to successfully complete the eight-hour boater safety training and the same-day proctored exam to receive certification.
Press Release: NYSG and NYSDEC Announce Over $388K in Great Lakes Basin Small Grants Project Awards (January 2024) Read on >>
Over $388K in grant awards, supported via a NYSG-NYSDEC partnership, funds eight New York Great Lakes Basin Small Grants projects to address the diverse environmental needs of waterfront communities in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River region.
On YouTube: Seiche and Winter Weather Shoreline Preparedness Workshop (December 2023) Read on >>
Watch "Weathering Lake Erie Seiche Events and Shoreline Winter Preparedness," a learn how-to webinar featuring presentations from a NYSG specialist and a retired National Weather Service: Buffalo Meteorologist.
