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Post-Meeting Notes from Lake Placid

Contributed by Karin Limburg, posted 2-10-20: The 54th annual meeting of the New York Chapter went off flawlessly, with over 300 attendees.  But, uncannily true to form, it coincided with the season’s largest winter storm (why does it always happen?).  Although many were able to depart, some members stayed another night to play it safe.  Lake... Read More

Freshwater Mussel Die-offs

Contributed by Doug Carlson, posted 12-19-19: A recent piece by NPR discusses major die-offs of already-imperiled freshwater mussels in Virginia and other parts of the U.S. A number of potential causes are under investigation but perhaps of greatest interest is mounting evidence from epidemiologists that a novel virus and bacteria may be at least partly... Read More

Invasive Species Centre

Invasives cost Ontario $3.6 billion/yr

Contributed by Scott George, posted 12-19-19: A recent study by the Invasive Species Centre in Ontario, Canada found that an estimated $50.8 million is spent annually on invasive species management in the province. More than half of this expenditure relates to Emerald Ash Borer.  Additionally, the impacts of invasive species to agriculture, fisheries, forests, healthcare,... Read More

17th annual ‘Day in the Life of the Hudson’

17th annual ‘Day in the Life (DIL) of the Hudson River -Watershed’: contributed by Scott Wells Posted 11-13-19: For a fifth straight year, DEC’s Region 4 Fisheries organized a group effort in support of this growing public outreach event. Our expanded range now included the upper and lower Hudson River and the lower Mohawk River... Read More

Lake Ontario Bloater restoration: hints of success

Lake Ontario Bloater restoration: hints of success: contributed by Brian Weidel Posted 11-12-19: Bloater (Coregonus hoyi) are a pelagic fish species native to Lake Ontario that inhabited deep, offshore habitats. Commercial fishery records suggest the species was historically abundant in Lake Ontario, but by the 1970s, was rare. Lake Ontario restoration began in 2012 by... Read More

Eels on the Radio

Eels on the Radio: contributed by Karin Limburg Posted 10-1-19: NYC AFS members Chris Bowser and Sarah Mount are featured (around 20:50 minutes:seconds into the interview) in this radio piece exploring the mystery of American Eel reproduction. Follow the link below and then click on the “Silky Love” episode. https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/radiolab Read More

2019 Great Hudson River Fish Count

2019 Great Hudson River Fish Count: contributed by Scott Wells Posted 9-4-19: Multiple state agencies and affiliated offices were represented at the 8th annual Great Hudson River Fish Count event held on Saturday August 10 at Peebles Island and the Corning Preserve. DEC Fisheries staff led a team of 11 to sample via eboat prior to... Read More

Spotted Gar in Oak Orchard Creek

Spotted Gar in Oak Orchard Creek: contributed by Scott George A spotted gar was captured in Oak Orchard Creek (a Lake Ontario tributary) on June 12th during a fish community survey conducted by personnel from the USGS, NYS Museum, and DEC Great Lakes Program. This species is not found in New York and this specimen represents... Read More

Global Effects of Climate Change on Fish

Global Effects of Climate Change on Fish: contributed by Karin Limburg Past-president of the NYCAFS Karin Limburg recently authored a popular science piece in The Conversation, entitled How is climate change affecting fishes? There are clues inside their ears. This article explores what otolith chemistry can tell us about how fishes fare under climate change.  The full article is... Read More