Photo credits: top courtesy Theresa Hattenrath-Lehmann; CoastWatch... center courtesy Jennifer George; bottom and large photo Barbara A. Branca

In every season, from near shore or far, under fair skies or a fast-moving front, graduate students collect samples from Long Island Sound. From top to bottom: Sea Grant Scholar Theresa Hattenrath-Lehmann and grad student Ryan Wallace study red tide in Northport Harbor; Sea Grant Scholars Laura Treible, Jennifer George and Theresa Hattenrath-Lehmann study winter productivity from aboard the r/v Seawolf; Sea Grant Scholar Elizabeth Suter analyzes microorganisms from the Seawolf’s rosette sampler. Sound Research “Gets to the Bottom” of Hypoxia, Red Tide

Since Spring 2009, the Sea Grant programs of waters and determining oxygen levels. Using Connecticut and New York have been tracking existing meteorological data, they evaluated to five funded research projects that examined what extent relevant factors like wind speed, some of the most serious threats to the ecological wind direction, and air pressure cause water health of Long Island Sound (LIS), an Estuary of in the Sound to either mix or stratify in layers. National Significance. The researchers, several Results show that variation in the wind direction of them at Stony Brook University (SBU), were over the western Sound accounts for a major awarded nearly $820,000 in research grants fraction of the variance in the duration and to address the long-term problem of LIS’s low extent of hypoxic events. They found that high oxygen conditions (hypoxia) as well as emerging pressure patterns with winds from the east/ issues of red tide and the effects of climate northeast result in the highest percentage of change on the Sound’s ecosystem. Recently, total mixing events. These mixing events are several researchers presented results from strong determinants of fluctuations in dissolved the two-year projects to the EPA LIS Study’s bottom oxygen and the duration of the hypoxic Science and Technical Advisory Committee event. Measurements of hypoxic event duration many members of which are resource managers provide good metrics for gauging the impacts throughout the LIS watershed. of hypoxia on living resources. However they Several projects examined hypoxia, each taking also found that the duration and intensity of a complementary research direction, whether stratification events are not closely linked to investigating the chemical, physical, or biological those of hypoxic events. factors that contribute to the low oxygen Also at SoMAS, Drs. Darcy Lonsdale and conditions at the bottom of LIS. Christopher Gobler along with NY Sea Grant Drs. Robert Wilson and Brian Colle along with Scholars Jennifer George, Xiaodong Jiang NY Sea Grant Scholar Sean Bratton at SBU’s and Laura Treible have examined seasonal School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences temperature differences and the effects on the (SoMAS), and Dr. Daniel Codiga of the University Sound’s food web. The spring phytoplankton of Rhode Island have looked at the relationship bloom is an annual event in LIS and an between summertime storms and hypoxia. important source of organic matter to the They hypothesize that these systems are a benthos ( living at the bottom of LIS). primary agent responsible for mixing bottom The researchers hypothesized that during warm

NEW YORK COASTLINES 1 SPRING/SUMMER 2012 Continued on page 2 ...CoastWatch Continued from page 1 winters, increased zooplankton grazing negatively correlated with dissolved might lead to a suppression of the oxygen concentrations, suggesting spring bloom and thus a decline in the that respiration associated with amount of organic matter delivered to smaller particles and organisms is an the benthos. important contributor to bottom water They conducted two types of oxygen depletion. Respiration in this experiments: field observations of size fraction was also highly correlated zooplankton grazing and controlled with bacterial abundances, suggesting mesocosm (tank) experiments with that bacterial respiration was one varying temperatures. In the field, of the most important processes in the research team observed that depleting oxygen concentrations. the 2010 and 2011 spring blooms Chemical analyses indicate that occurred in early February with the nitrogen has increasingly become peak of spring phytoplankton bloom a limiting factor in phytoplankton coinciding with the lowest seawater blooms relative to phosphorus in temperature and equal temperatures LIS. There were modest decreases from surface waters to the bottom (i.e., in dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) no stratification). Microzooplankton while dissolved organic nitrogen grazing occurred on all dates, even (DON) increased, thus leaving total when seawater temperatures were nitrogen relatively unchanged. approaching 0oC. However, in the two Between 2002 and 2010, diatom years of mesocosm experiments, the abundances have declined in favor of warmer temperature treatment resulted nondiatom groups of phytoplankton. in fewer phytoplankton and higher The researchers speculate that zooplankton grazing. The research this is due to the Sound’s changing indicates that suppression of the chemistry: diatoms prefer DIN while spring bloom with increased winter other groups, such as dinoflagellates, temperature may result in less carbon prefer DON and also have a higher at the bottom potentially improving the phosphorus requirement. hypoxia problem because of decreased Collectively these observations are respiration in the benthos, but also helping to create a biogeochemical potentially decreasing productivity of numerical model to provide managers benthic fisheries. with a better understanding of Drs. Kamazima Lwiza and Gordon hypoxia’s drivers and therefore a Taylor with NY Sea Grant Scholars better means of predicting hypoxic Elizabeth Suter and Ling Liu have been events in Long Island Sound. By looking at the interaction of biological specifically addressing microbial and physical factors controlling responses in the numerical model for dissolved oxygen. Their goals have the first time, seasonal hypoxia was been to determine the variability in modeled more accurately. dissolved nutrients such as nitrogen Dr. Mark Altabet of the Department of and phosphorus, and to examine the Estuarine and Ocean Science, School roles of phytoplankton biomass, and of Marine and Technology, University bacterial production and mortality on of Massachusetts, Dartmouth has bottom water oxygen content. been looking at the geochemistry They made direct measurements of of dissolved gases in the Sound to microbial biomass and activity during gain insight into oxygen exchange sampling cruises during the summers between surface and bottom of 2009 and 2010 and also conducted waters. His results, to be reported statistical analyses of historical data. at a future STAC meeting, will help Respiration in bottom water samples the researchers put the chemical, was highest in the middle of summer physical and biological pieces together 2009, including on days when hypoxia to create a more complete model of occurred. Furthermore, respiration in LIS hypoxia. the very small particle-size fraction was

NEW YORK COASTLINES 2 SPRING/SUMMER 2012 Continued on page 5 Identifying Distinct Population Segments

The ( oxyrinchus), sturgeon has come from the Hudson or the the ancient-looking fish covered with bony Chesapeake all from a tiny clip from the plates (scutes) rather than scales, was once fish’s fin. In the 1990s, using such data, abundant along the eastern seaboard and in the National Marine Fisheries Service major river systems from Labrador to Northern (NMFS) and the US Fish and Wildlife . But human activities such as damming Service (FWS) listed the Gulf sturgeon rivers, pollution and extensive harvesting have as a threatened species, and reinforced reduced the number and size of its populations the designation of the Gulf sturgeon as a and in February 2012, the Atlantic Sturgeon was distinct subspecies. federally listed as endangered. In 1998, because populations of the Atlantic The agencies that manage fisheries are sturgeon were so low, the Atlantic States Marine concerned about preserving and restoring Fisheries Commission adopted a 40-year critical species. But to do this, they must first harvest moratorium. With the moratorium in identify the distinct population segments or DPS place, the Atlantic sturgeon was considered of each species. Then managers can take into a “species of concern” and not listed as account any unique regional populations and endangered under the Endangered Species preserve as much as possible natural genetic Act. In the years since, Wirgin has continually structure of each species in management and/or been analyzing sturgeon fin samples from restoration plans. In the case of sturgeon, the DPS different locations. The NOAA Observer corresponds to the individual or combinations of Program which uses commercial boat estuaries along the eastern seaboard. observations out of Woods Hole, MA, sent Wirgin samples so he could identify the distinct The key to this management strategy is genetic population segments of origin of individual detective work—much of it done by pioneering specimens from the Gulf of Maine to North researcher Dr. Isaac Wirgin of New York University Carolina. He and Dr. Tim King of the U.S. School of Medicine (aided by NYSG funding). Geological Survey found that some adult and The map of Atlantic sturgeon’s DPS was greatly subadult sturgeon from all populations undergo dependent on Wirgin’s data identifying the migrations and mix in coastal aggregations. genetic characteristics of each distinct population This makes them vulnerable to distant segment based on the estuary of origin. anthropogenic impacts such as coastal bycatch Before doing genetic analysis on sturgeon, there (the topic of another NYSG-funded project). was no way of knowing whether or not they However, most fish tend to aggregate within the showed homing fidelity. But Dr. Wirgin discovered geographic region of their spawning river. that sturgeon do “go home again”; sturgeon Based on work by Wirgin, King and others, a can live in salt water but swim into the rivers review team assessed the status of the Atlantic and tributaries of their birth to spawn. Using sturgeon, and determined that four of the fi ve biomarkers on mitochondrial DNA, Wirgin was DPS of Atlantic sturgeon should be listed as able to identify DPS of sturgeon by distinct genetic endangered. characteristics. His lab can identify whether a — Barbara A. Branca NEW YORK COASTLINES 3 SPRING/SUMMER 2012 Trawl Workshop an International Exchange In November 2011 New York Sea Grant The MUN Centre works with government and (NYSG) and the US Geological Survey brought science agencies and commercial fisheries acclaimed expertise in the design of marine interests and has more than 120 different net/ trawls to the Cornell University Biological trawl designs and 75 sets of trawl doors for Field Station on Oneida Lake. It was an configuration testing. award-winning partnership that earned co- organizer and NYSG Fisheries Specialist Dave Dr. Winger, his team members: George Legge, MacNeill a USGS Great Lakes Science Center Philip Walsh and Tara Perry; and Great Lakes Certificate of Appreciation. Science Center Statistician Jean Adams; presented models, video and data at the MacNeill described the workshop, workshop that attracted 35 American and Photo by MUN Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Resources The November trawl workshop featured trawl scale models such as this one being tested funded by a Great Lakes Regional Canadian researchers and research vessel in the Memorial University of Newfoundland flume tank, the largest in the world. Research Information Network grant, personnel representing all five Great Lakes. as an unprecedented opportunity for a Some were newcomers to trawling; others have Dr. Brian F. Lantry, director of the USGS Lake Ontario marine-Great Lakes exchange with Dr. Paul been trawling for 30 years and still want to know more. Biological Station at Oswego, NY, called this workshop Winger and his internationally-respected “the best and most useful I have ever attended. This fishing gear and marine trawl evaluation “I am impressed with the diversity of responses we type of work makes a realistic, practical contribution team from the Memorial University received about how important this work is. People to science.” Said MacNeill, “The trawl program well- of Newfoundland’s (MUN) Centre for are passionate about learning about trawling,” said illustrated NYSG’s commitment to providing sound Sustainable Aquatic Resources. workshop co-organizer Dr. Brian Weidel with the USGS Great Lakes Science Center, Oswego, NY. scientific information and its ability to form effective Dr. Winger directs the MUN’s state-of-the-art partnerships among agencies and the research facility with the world’s largest indoor flume NYSDEC Research Biologist (and former NY Sea Grant community. Scientists from the USGS Biological tank that simulates real-world conditions for Scholar) Mike Connerton Cape Vincent, NY, said, “The Station worked hand-in-hand with us to bring this the testing of trawls. A week’s worth of testing in Lake Ontario have forced us to change the workshop to fruition.” models in the tank can save months of work gear we use. We are looking for the very best data so New York Sea Grant has provided leadership in on the water with full-size trawls. “We are we can anticipate the fishery 30 years into the future.” educating fisheries researchers and assessment here to share what we know about fishing Gary Czypinski of US Fish & Wildlife Service in Ashland, biologists about trawl design and dynamics in the gear design and how you can increase both Wisconsin came to learn a technique for catching Great Lakes and abroad. After a 2008 workshop trawl and fuel efficiencies, reduce ecological Asian carp which have the ability to evade the trawl. organized by NYSG with MUN and Rhode Island Sea impacts, and obtain the quality of data you Michael Keir of Environment Canada came to learn Grant, Dr. Tomas Juza from the University of Southern need for fisheries science” Dr. Winger said. how the mechanics of trawling can be used to study contaminants in fish populations. Bohemia’s Hydrobiology Institute, returned to the Collecting fish samples with large underwater Czech Republic where he applied the training to nets (trawls) provides essential information The three-day intensive workshop included hands- designing a new trawling vessel and trawl now in use for understanding food webs and managing on trawl exhibits that filled a yard at the Biological there and in several other European Union countries. valuable fisheries resources. Spring-fall trawls Station and classroom time on design configurations, —Kara Lynn Dunn have been cooperatively conducted by U.S. hydrodynamics, fish behavior impact on catch federal and state and Canadian provincial efficiency, environmental variability, and new agencies on Lake Ontario since the 1970s. opportunities for evaluating trawl designs for use in the Great Lakes.

cards illustrated with New York State fishes which NYSMEA’s ‘Share-A-Thon’ A Success teach students about fish diversity and classification. New York Sea Grant and longtime partner trainer” approach to teaching marine science. NYSG Communications Manager Barbara Branca New York State Marine Education Association A recent joint venture was the March 2012 offered tips for bringing hot research topics to the (NYSMEA) share the value of the “train-the- Marine Science Share-A-Thon held at Columbia classroom (see p. 3 article). University’s Teachers College, where teachers “This pilot program is a good opportunity to network shared and acquired innovative lesson plans with colleagues and for NYSMEA members new and and other materials for students while earning old to learn some unique educational techniques,” professional development credits. says Holochuck. She sees this event as a catalyst to As chair of NYSMEA’s Education Committee, NYSG inspire similar resource sharing events throughout the NY Harbor Estuary watershed and along LIS. Hudson Estuary Specialist Nordica Holochuck coordinated the event which featured lessons from In May 2012 Holochuck was honored for her over a half-dozen presenters, from an elementary contributions made to NYC science education “Sing Along to the Ocean” to “Beneath the Sea’s through her work with NYSMEA. “I was very Marine Careers and Scholarship” program for upper pleased to be nominated for and receive the 2012 Attendees of NYSMEA-NYSG’s teacher “Share-A-Thon” included level students. Teachers checked the Hudson River’s (l-r) NYSG Long Island Sound Study Outreach Coordinator Larissa Science Council of New York City (SCONYC) Graham, hydroponics gardening and sustainability presenter Shakira “vital signs” using near real-time data and traveled Resnick Award by NYSMEA, a longtime Sea Castronovo from Manhattan Childrens School, NYSG Hudson Estuary beneath the waves using Google Earth Ocean. I FISH Grant partner and one of SCONYC’s nine member Specialist Nordica Holochuck and I FISH NY’s Melissa Cohen. Photo by Paul C. Focazio NY’s Melissa Cohen played a version of Go Fish! with organizations,” said Holochuck. —Paul C. Focazio NEW YORK COASTLINES 4 SPRING/SUMMER 2012 Continued from page 2

Last Wave Sound Research “Gets to the Ordering Publications Bottom” of Hypoxia, Red Tide Go to www.nyseagrant.org, click on “Publications”> “Search & Request” and fi ll out Aside from the problem of LIS hypoxia, Dr. Christopher our publications request form or email requests to: [email protected]. Gobler is also investigating an emerging issue: the Sign up at ”Publications”> “NY Coastlines” to become an on-line subscriber. causes and impacts of recent blooms of the red tide Information provided to NYSG will not be shared with any third party. organism Alexandrium fundyense in the Sound. A. fundyense produce saxitoxin which may be ingested Journal Reprints and accumulated in shellfish. The consumption of Bokuniewicz, H.B., J.J. Tanski and L. Bocamazo. 2011. Sand resources offshore contaminated shellfish by humans or other predators, of Long Island (NY). Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Coastal can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and thus Engineering and Science of Coastal Sediment Processes (Coastal Sediments ‘11), presents a serious human health threat. P. Wang, J.D. Rosati and T.M. Roberts (eds.). Miami, FL. USA. World Scientific Gobler and his team report that from 2007 through Publishing Company. 1021-1033. 2011, A. fundyense has been detected at over 50 Cornwell, E.R., G.H. Groocock, R.G. Getchell, and P.R. Bowser. 2011. Residual tannic locations across NY and CT with the largest blooms acid destroys virucidal properties of iodine. North American Journal of Aquaculture being found in Northport Bay and other locations in NY 73(1): 8-12. with large nitrogen loads. Blooms in Northport persisted Di Liberto, T., and B.A. Colle. 2011. Verification of a multimodel storm surge ensemble for up to six weeks achieving high cell densities, and around New York City and Long Island for the cool season. Weather and Forecasting forcing month-long annual closure of shellfish beds 26(6): 922–939. due to high saxitoxin concentrations in mussels and wild soft shell clams. Blooms have recurred annually Hattenrath-Lehmann, T.K., and C.J. Gobler. 2011. Allelopathic inhibition of competing and the researchers documented that a persistent phytoplankton by North American strains of the toxic dinoflagellate,Alexandrium cyst bed was established in Northport Bay in 2008 fundyense: Evidence from field experiments, laboratory experiments, and bloom and has remained there since. In the cyst stage of events. Harmful Algae 11:106-116. A. fundyense’s life-cycle, the cells can persist until Jiang, X., D. Lonsdale, and C. Gobler. 2011. Rapid gain and loss of evolutionary conditions are right for them to bloom again. resistance to the harmful dinoflagellateCochlodinium polykrikoides in the copepod In two recent journal articles, the research team Acartia tonsa. Limnology and Oceanography 56(3): 947-954. reported that A. fundyense blooms in Northport were Matteson, A.R., S.N. Loar, R.A. Bourbonniere, and S.W. Wilhelm. 2011. Molecular supported by a source of wastewater nitrogen such as enumeration of an ecologically important cyanophage in a laurentian great lake. septic systems or the sewage treatment plant which Applied and Environmental Microbiology 77(19): 6772-6779. discharges into Northport Harbor. Also, warmer than Rubin E., A. Tanguy, M. Perrigault, B. Allam. 2011. Virulence-related genes of in average atmospheric temperatures in the late winter QPX, the thraustochytrid parasite of the hard clam Mercenaria mercenaria. Journal of and early spring and cooler late spring temperatures Shellfish Research 30(2): 550. can contribute to extended periods of temperatures optimal for A. fundyense growth and thus may Wang K., M. Perrigault, and B. Allam. 2011. Effects of temperature and QPX (quahog have also contributed toward the large blooms. The parasite unknown) infection on the transcription of defense-related genes in the hard researchers further suggest that allelopathic chemicals clam Mercenaria mercenaria. Journal of Shellfish Research 30(2): 560-561. produced by A. fundyense that inhibit other algae may Wurch, L.L., S.T. Haley, E.D. Orchard, C.J. Gobler, and S.T. Dyhrman. 2011. Nutrient- also aid in bloom formation. Finally, preliminary findings regulated transcriptional responses in the brown tide forming alga Aureococcus indicate that organic matter loading may also contribute anophagefferens. Environmental Microbiology 13(2):468-481. toward bloom formation. Together all of their findings suggest that sewage-derived nitrogen loading, above Guides and Brochures average spring temperatures, organic matter loading, MacNeill, Dave, Mary Penney (New York Sea Grant); and the production of allelochemicals can all promote Dan Bishop, Fran Verdoliva (NYSDEC); and Jim Johnson intense and toxic A. fundyense blooms in NY estuaries. (USGS). Artwork by Peter Thompson. Salmon and Trout A portion of the funding for these projects came from of Lake Ontario: A Visual Identification Guide, 2012. New two Sea Grant programs: Connecticut and New York York Sea Grant Brochure. New York Sea Grant Extension which receive federal funding through the National Program. Oswego, NY. 8 panels. Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Most This brochure identifies each trout and salmon species of the funding came from the Long Island Sound Study, in the Lake Ontario watershed based on the accurate a cooperative effort between the EPA’s National Estuary color artwork of Peter Thomson. Pictures of each of Program and the states of Connecticut and New York to the nine species is correctly labeled with its distinctive restore and protect the Sound and its ecosystems. features and seasonal coloration patterns. Unlike line art — Barbara A. Branca found in other publications, this unique 14” x 17” 4-color brochure suitable for the angling public is printed on waterproof paper and folds down to 3.5” x 8.5” to store easily in a tackle box. Contact Oswego office for more info. nyseagrant.org 315.312.3042 or download at http://www.seagrant.sunysb. Facebook, Twitter & RSS ...for more on this edu/glsportfish/pdfs/SalmonTrout-LakeOntario2012.pdf issue’s stories, other news items, and links to our Facebook, Twitter, YouTube pages and RSS feed. NEW YORK COASTLINES 5 SPRING/SUMMER 2012 New York Sea Grant NONPROFIT 121 Discovery Hall U.S. POSTAGE Stony Brook University PAID Stony Brook, New York UNIVERSITY AT 11794-5001 STONY BROOK Director James Ammerman ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Associate Director Katherine Bunting-Howarth Assistant Director Cornelia Schlenk NEW YORK COASTLINES Vol. 41, No. 1 Spring/Summer 2012 Managing Editor/Writer Barbara A. Branca [email protected] Web Content Manager/Writer Paul C. Focazio [email protected] Contributing Writers Kara Lynn Dunn

Layout and Production New York Coastlines is printed on recycled paper Sharon A. O’Donovan and may be made available in an alternative format LC Graphics Publications Leigh Hubbard

From the Director...

Long Island Sound is truly America’s Urban projects focused on Long Island Sound address New York Coastlines is a product Estuary, with more than 23 million people living of NYSG’s project C/PC-11 funded important scientific issues that will contribute to under award NA10OAR4170064 within 50 miles of its 600 mile coastline. The “Sound” management for the benefit of all the granted to the Research Foundation economic value of Long Island Sound to the region’s citizens. of SUNY on behalf of NYSG from the local economy is nearly $9 billion per year, National Sea Grant College Program and it has been the subject of research and Also in this issue is an important story about of the US Dept. of Commerce’s restoration efforts for many years. The year Atlantic Sturgeon, an ancient species whose NOAA. Sea Grant is a national 2012 will also mark the release of a major population has seriously declined. With New network of 32 university-based York Sea Grant (NYSG) support and using novel programs whose research and synthesis volume focused on Long Island outreach programs promote Sound research findings and their management molecular methods, Dr. Issac Wirgin has been better understanding, conserva- implications. able to distinguish several distinct population tion and use of America’s coastal segments of Atlantic Sturgeon, which has resources. NYSG is a joint program Profiled in this issue are five recently- important implications for their management. of the State University of New York completed Long Island Sound research Another “fish story” from the Great Lakes and Cornell University. projects administered jointly by New York and describes a recent trawl workshop conducted Copyright © 2012 NYSG. Connecticut Sea Grant with funding provided by by NYSG Fisheries Specialist Dave MacNeill Text and images in this publication the Long Island Sound Study, the EPA National and colleagues to improve stock assessment in or its electronic form may be used, Estuary Program for Long Island Sound. Three reproduced or transmitted for Lake Ontario and the other Great Lakes. The educational purposes, giving credit of these projects focused on various aspects US Geological Survey presented Dave with a to NYSG. Contact NYSG’s of the hypoxia, or low dissolved oxygen, that Communications (631) 632.6916 to certificate of appreciation for this workshop. obtain permission from originators of plagues the western Sound in the summer. A In addition, several NYSG educators and all photos and artwork prior to use in fourth looked at winter temperature impacts on communication staff recently participated in a any other publication or Web site. the Sound’s food web, and the fifth examined This newsletter is also available at: “Share-A-Thon” at Columbia Teachers College www.nyseagrant.org red tide blooms in Long Island’s North Shore with their partners in the New York State Marine embayments. These projects have been New York Sea Grant provides Education Association. equal opportunities in employment an outstanding example of the collaboration and programming. between the two Sea Grant Programs, and the Finally, it is not too late to provide input for the Long Island Sound Study, in which the Sea new NYSG strategic plan—just contact me. New York Sea Grant Institute 121 Discovery Hall Grant Programs lead the peer review process Stony Brook University and administer the projects. An additional set Stony Brook, NY 11794-5001 631.632.6905 of six projects started in 2011. And another request for proposals for Long Island Sound For a list of NYSG’s offices and staff, click on “Contact Us” > “Staff” at research was recently released. These research www.nyseagrant.org NEW YORK COASTLINES 6 SPRING/SUMMER 2012