Wildlife, Fish, and Marine Life Newsletter

Freshwater Mussel Relocation Project Shows Early Signs of Success

DEC is relocating mussels from the lower Grasse River before a cleanup project to remove polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) begins next year. By relocating these mussels away from the dredging project and keeping them healthy, DEC will be ready to return mussels to the river after the dredging project is complete. 4,000 mussels were moved in 2017, 4,700 mussels were moved this year, and around 2,000 mussels were safely placed in cages in other parts of the river. Approximately 98 percent of these relocated mussels survived the winter, which shows the success of this previously untried technique.

Mussels are important for healthy freshwater ecosystems and can make up a majority of the biomass within an ecosystem. In addition, a healthy mussel population directly benefits the water quality of the area. As filter feeders, mussels obtain their food by filtering out microscopic organisms from the water column.

The New York State Museum, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, and SUNY Cobleskill are collaborating with DEC on the project.

4-Year Bear Study Recently Completed

Staff from DEC’s Bureau of Wildlife across the state recently finished up a 4-year black bear population study in collaboration with Cornell University. A total of approximately 240 research sites were deployed on both private and public lands. These sites consisted of a trail camera and barbed wire with bait. The sites were checked every two weeks for photos and hair samples from the barbed wire. The research ended in August.

The goal of the study was to collect information to improve management of New York’s bear population. Biologists will use the data to estimate population size, density, growth, and distribution; survival and reproduction rates; and patterns associated with different land cover types.

Although DEC has concluded its field efforts, the citizen science project iSeeMammals is still ongoing. Members of the public can contribute data to the research project by submitting pictures and one-time observations of bears and bear sign (scat, tracks, hair, and markings), as well as data from hikes they go on or personal trail cameras they set up. Learn more on the iSeeMammals website.

Environmental Conservation Officers Rescue Stranded Sea Turtle

On August 24, Environmental Conservation Officer (ECO) Robert Kaufherr received a call about a sea turtle stranded in the jetty along the Belt Parkway Bicycle Path in Brooklyn. ECO Kaufherr located the turtle, but couldn’t reach it due to the 15-foot drop from the pathway to the slippery jetty. ECO Ryan Grogan arrived to assist, and the two ECOs borrowed a ladder and rope from a construction crew working in the area to safely descend and retrieve the sea turtle. A rope was tied to a large bin and lowered down to the officers. The turtle was lifted to the bike path. The officers identified the turtle as a young Loggerhead Sea Turtle and observed a fishing hook caught in its mouth. The officers contacted the Riverhead Foundation to transport the injured animal to a rehabilitation center. The turtle will be treated and reintroduced to the wild. The Loggerhead Sea Turtle is listed as an endangered species that can live up to 70 years of age and reach weights of up to 1,000 pounds as an adult.

Record-Breaking Fishing in Lake Ontario in 2018

DEC announced that fishing for trout and salmon in Lake Ontario has set records this year with anglers reporting some of the best fishing in decades. Read the full article now. If you are interested in more articles like this, you can sign up for the Camping, Wildlife Viewing & Hiking newsletter!