Fish

Please Note:

  • Do not handle or go near wildlife, for your safety and theirs!
  • The time of year is important to consider when monitoring. Note the active season for each species.
  • If you are unsure of how to identify a sighting, contact the host organization or review the provided resources before you submit data.
  • Note that certain surveys require a type of training to participate.
  • Rescue information is provided for certain species if found injured or distressed.

If you would like to use data from the wildlife monitoring surveys for school projects or other purposes, please reach out to the host of the survey to gain permission to use.

River Herring Monitoring

Host/Lead Collaborators:
Seatuck Environmental Association
Peconic Estuary Partnership
Long Island Sound Study

Resources:
River Revival Story Map

Training:
Training events held in early March by the hosts
Training Workshop South Shore
– Training Workshop East End
Training Workshop North Shore

Active Season:
Spawning season (early March-mid May)

Habitat:
Travel from ocean through brackish water to freshwater streams for spawning habitat. Freshwater streams is heavily focused on for survey goals.

Survey Contact:
staff@seatuck.org

Coastal Shark Monitoring

Host/Lead Collaborators:
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Resources/Information:

The Shark Spotter survey is available for the public to submit observations of sharks in NY waters. The observations you submit will help biologists record the presence of sharks and will also help to further the understanding of local shark ecology and behavior. To see other shark sightings, visit the Shark Spotter Public Viewer: https://arcg.is/OKr8a

Training:
Not required

Active Season:
Spring – Fall

Habitat:
Atlantic Ocean and bays and estuaries around Long Island

Survey Contact:
fw.marine@dec.ny.gov

Artificial Reef Fishing/Diving Monitoring

Active Season:
All Year

Habitat:
– Two in Long Island Sound
– Two in Great South Bay
– Eight in the Atlantic Ocean on the south shore of Long Island.

Survey Contact:
artificialreefs@dec.ny.gov

Blackfish (tautog) and black sea bass viewed by scuba diver at Moriches Reef. Photo by: Rob Schepis

Striped Bass Monitoring

Host/Lead Collaborators:
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

Resources/Information:
Striped Bass Cooperative Anglers Program

Training:
REQUIRED* – contact SBCAprogram@dec.ny.gov

 

Active Season:
Spring – Fall

Habitat:
Atlantic Ocean and bays and estuaries around Long Island

Survey Contact:
SBCAprogram@dec.ny.gov

Photo: NYSDEC - DEC staff tagging a Striped bass in Long Island Sound

Atlantic Sturgeon Monitoring

Host/Lead Collaborators:
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
NOAA Fisheries

Resources/Information:
Sturgeon are particularly susceptible to being caught as bycatch in gillnet and otter trawl fisheries, or potentially getting struck by moving vessels during their migrations. Deceased sturgeon may wash up on beaches on Long Island, and it is important to collect information about these mortality events. NYSDEC relies on assistance from the general public and encourage individuals to report any sturgeon they may come across for the Atlantic Sturgeon Salvage Program

Training:
Not required

Active Season:
Spring – Fall

Habitat:
Atlantic Ocean and bays and estuaries around Long Island

Survey Contact:
Report sturgeon by calling 631-444-0444 or emailing fw.marine@dec.ny.gov