New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Basil Seggos today announced that the 11th annual Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count will take place at multiple sites along the banks and piers of the Hudson River on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022.
“The annual fish count event provides a great opportunity for New Yorkers and visitors to get outdoors or go online and learn about the many fish species that live and thrive in the Hudson River,” Commissioner Seggos said. “With sites from New York Harbor to Waterford, there are many places for young and old alike to participate in this year’s event.”
New Yorkers from the Capital Region to New York City are invited to explore the variety of creatures usually hidden below the river’s surface. Fresh upriver, and salty at New York City, the Hudson River Estuary and watershed are home to more than 200 fish species, including several that migrate into the river from the Atlantic Ocean each spring to spawn. Eleven sites will offer in-person opportunities for the public and two will live stream the fish count on DEC’s Facebook Live at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.
During the fish count, participating organizations encourage visitors to help collect fish using seine nets, minnow traps, or rods and reels. Seining involves pulling a 30-foot net through the water and checking out the fish, crabs, and other river life caught in its mesh. Participants may watch from shore or jump into available waterproof waders and help pull in the net. The fish are released after everyone has a chance to see them up close.
Participating groups share their catch results by posting to the @NYSDEC Twitter feed with the hashtag #hudsonriverfishcount. Comparing notes builds an understanding of the diversity of fishes and habitats in the Hudson, the vitality of the estuarine ecosystem in urban and rural settings, and the influence of salinity and tides.
A list of participating public and virtual sites follows. For more information, visit the Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count page on DEC’s website at http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/97891.html. While there, watch a clip about seining in the Hudson River on DEC’s YouTube Channel.
All Fish Count programs are family-friendly and free of charge. The event is sponsored by DEC’s Hudson River Estuary Program and Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve in partnership with other environmental organizations.
Sites and Participating Organizations (South to North)
Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 4 Beach: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy
Note: Members of the public will not be able to get into the water, but can help with on-shore activities such as fish identification and scavenger hunts
Manhattan
Pier 40 Wetlab, Hudson River Park Trust: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Hudson River Park Trust
Westchester
Habirshaw Park, Yonkers: 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Center for the Urban River at Beczak
Rockland
Piermont Pier, Piermont: 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University
Putnam
Little Stony Point, Cold Spring: 12 p.m.
DEC Hudson River Estuary Program
Dutchess
Long Dock Park, Beacon: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Scenic Hudson
Note: Seining at 10 a.m., fish activities and display of fish from 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Norrie Point Environmental Center, Staatsburg: 3 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve/Hudson River Estuary Program
Note: The parking lot is currently under construction. Parking is available by the marina, then there is a fenced off path to the Environmental Center. Site is not ADA accessible during this construction phase.
Ulster
Hudson River Sloop Clearwater: sail is not open to the public
DEC Facebook Live, 11 a.m.
Kingston Point Beach, Kingston: 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
DEC Hudson River Estuary Program
DEC Facebook Live, 5 p.m.
Rensselaer
Papscanee Island Nature Preserve: 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
River Haggie Outdoors
Note: Event will be at the south entrance on Staats Island Road. Parking lot is on the right past the train tracks.
Saratoga
Peebles Island State Park, Cohoes: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
DEC Region 4 Fisheries
Note: Display will be under the Second Street bridge by the river. Live fish on display, no guided active fishing.
Waterford Boat Launch, Waterford: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
DEC Region 4 Fisheries
Note: Live fish on display, no guided active fishing.
