The fourth annual Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count will take place at sites along the Hudson on August 15. The public is invited to join naturalists from the Capital Region to New York City as they explore the amazing variety of slippery, wriggly and fascinating creatures usually hidden below the river’s surface.

The Hudson and its watershed are home to more than 200 species of fish. During the Fish Count, participating organizations encourage visitors to help collect fish using seine nets, minnow traps, 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.

Throughout the day’s event, participating groups share their catch results with one another. Comparing notes promotes 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 sites is attached. For more information, please visit the Great Hudson River Estuary Fish Count page on DEC’s website: www.dec.ny.gov/lands/97891.html.

For Information about the Hudson River Estuary Program, please visit the Hudson River Estuary Program page on DEC’s website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/4920.html.