Town of North Hempstead has released a short five-minute documentary that takes a close-up look at the work of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Marine Resources and its critical role in monitoring striped bass populations. The DEC’s mission is to conserve, improve and protect the environment and resources of the State and to work in a collaborative effort with local municipalities.
Striped bass spawn in the Hudson River and then migrate down to the Long Island Sound and use Manhasset Bay as a nursery. The DEC works in Manhasset Bay from May to October conducting “seines,” or catching the fish with a net. Once collected, the fish are measured, weighed and tagged if they are mature enough. This enables the DEC to track their migration and population numbers. The DEC Marine Resources crew includes: Biologist in the Diadromous Unit Jesse Holstein, Technician Kevin Ryan, Head Technician Zach Schuller and Technician Justin Pellegrino.
“North Hempstead is fortunate to have the Department of Environmental Conservation keeping a close watch on the health of our local fish population in Little Neck Bay, Manhasset Bay and Hempstead Harbor,” said Supervisor Bosworth. “Their research is critical to helping the town monitor the quality of our waterways and our marine life. Fishing is important to the town’s economic health, as well as an important form of recreation for our residents. We thank them for their efforts. Together we can keep North Hempstead clean, vital and full of life!”
The documentary, directed by NHTV directed and produced Alan Ginsberg and edited by Samantha Hollinde, depicts a “day in the life” of the DEC crew as they conduct a survey of the fish population in the Manhasset Bay.
“DEC thanks the Town of North Hempstead for the opportunity to share information about our management of fish populations in North Hempstead and across Long Island,” DEC Marine Resources Director Jim Gilmore said. “Knowledge gleaned from our survey in Manhasset Bay and other water bodies gives DEC the data to sustainably manage our marine fisheries resources and maximize our ability to offer fishing opportunities for all New Yorkers.”
Manhasset Bay is home to a wide variety of fish, including striped bass, bunker, porgies, snapper, blues, striped bass and fluke.
For more from NHTV, visit www.mynhtv.com.
