NYSG’s Spring/Summer 2012 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

Long Island Sound is truly America’s Urban Estuary, with more than 23 million people living within 50 miles of its 600 mile coastline. The economic value of Long Island Sound to the local economy is nearly $9 billion per year, and it has been the subject of research and restoration efforts for many years. The year 2012 will also mark the release of a major synthesis volume focused on Long Island Sound research findings and their management implications.

Profiled in this issue are five recently-completed Long Island Sound research projects administered jointly by New York and Connecticut Sea Grant with funding provided by the Long Island Sound Study, the EPA National Estuary Program for Long Island Sound. Three of these projects focused on various aspects of the hypoxia, or low dissolved oxygen, that plagues the western Sound in the summer. A fourth looked at winter temperature impacts on the Sound’s food web, and the fifth examined red tide blooms in Long Island’s North Shore embayments. These projects have been an outstanding example of the collaboration between the two Sea Grant Programs, and the Long Island Sound Study, in which the Sea Grant Programs lead the peer review process and administer the projects. An additional set of six projects started in 2011. And another request for proposals for Long Island Sound research was recently released. These research projects focused on Long Island Sound address important scientific issues that will contribute to “Sound” management for the benefit of all the region’s citizens.

Also in this issue is an important story about Atlantic Sturgeon, an ancient species whose population has seriously declined. With New York Sea Grant (NYSG) support and using novel molecular methods, Dr. Issac Wirgin has been able to distinguish several distinct population segments of Atlantic Sturgeon, which has important implications for their management. Another “fish story” from the Great Lakes describes a recent trawl workshop conducted by NYSG Fisheries Specialist Dave MacNeill and colleagues to improve stock assessment in Lake Ontario and the other Great Lakes. The US Geological Survey presented Dave with a certificate of appreciation for this workshop. In addition, several NYSG educators and communication staff recently participated in a “Share-A-Thon” at Columbia Teachers College with their partners in the New York State Marine Education Association.

Finally, it is not too late to provide input for the new NYSG strategic plan—just contact me (James.Ammerman@stonybrook.edu).

— James Ammerman