NJ Seismic Study is Back!

Despite opposition from New Jersey, federal, state, and local officials and thousands of citizens, NOAA Fisheries recently published a proposed Incidental Harassment Authorization in the Federal Register for the taking, harm or harassment, of marine mammals for the seismic survey offshore of New Jersey scheduled for June through August of 2015. This seismic study conducted by Columbia University’s Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory and National Science Foundation along with University of Texas and Rutgers University lead researchers, was supposed to take place last summer, but due to public opposition and vessel issues, the study was delayed. The authorization allows over 32 marine mammal species, six of which are endangered, to be exposed to seismic air guns and three other acoustic blast technologies, all are known to be harmful to marine life. Clean Ocean Action has been working vigorously to stop this dangerous seismic study and we encourage you to join us in the fight.

Public comments on the Incidental Harassment Authorization can be submitted by April 16th. Instructions on how to send in your comments:

Mail Comments to:

Jolie Harrison

Supervisor, Incidental Take Program

Permits and Conservation Division,

Office of Protected Resources

National Marine Fisheries Service

1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910.

Email Comments to:

ITP.Cody@noaa.gov.

Please include 0648-XD773 in the subject line.

One Fish, Two Fish, Dead Fish, Blue Fish

On the morning of May 12, thousands of dead menhaden or “bunker” fish washed from the Shark River as the tide went out, and littered nearby beaches.  Throughout the day, fish continued to drift from the inlet and wash-up on the shore, primarily in Avon and Belmar.   Early in the day, fishermen and local businesses reported the event, and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Monmouth County Health Department collected water quality and fish tissue samples for examination.   

Though it is challenging to diagnose an issue after it actually occurs, scientific consensus is that the kill was a naturally occurring event.  Some thought that the warming temperatures and heavy rains throughout the week stirred up nutrients in the water, causing small algae to bloom.  When the algae dies, bacteria break it down, and this uses up much of the oxygen in the water, which can stress fish and shellfish.  High levels of algae were not found in the water column hours after the event, so others focused on the large size of the bunker school, and how they were chased into the shallows of the Shark River, where oxygen was likely lower than out in the ocean. The sheer number of skittish bunker moving around in a small area could have used up much of the oxygen through the overnight hours. Both of these situations are plausible explanations for a late spring fish kill, and both focus on the fish not being able to survive low oxygen levels.  

The public is often on the front line for spotting and reporting environmental health issues, whether dead fish, discolored water, algae blooms, or debris and medical waste. If you see anything unusual along a river, bay, beach, or in the ocean, call the NJ DEP hotline at 1-888-WARN-DEP. You should write down the report number, take photos of what you observe, and note the day, time, and water conditions.