HUDSON VALLEY- The Hudson River came alive Saturday as families, nature enthusiasts, and volunteers gathered at sites from the Capital Region to New York City, including here in the Hudson Valley, for the 15th Annual Great Hudson River Fish Count.
Hosted by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Management Program and its environmental partners, the free, family-friendly event gave participants a hands-on opportunity to discover the more than 200 fish species that call the Hudson River Estuary and watershed home.
Using seine nets, minnow traps, and fishing rods, participants helped collect fish, crabs, and other aquatic creatures from the river before releasing them back into the water. At many locations, visitors also had the chance to pull in a 30-foot seine net while others watched from shore and learned about the river’s diverse ecosystem.
Information collected during the event was shared with the Department of Environmental Conservation and posted online, helping scientists and the public better understand fish populations, habitats, and the effects of tides and changing salinity throughout the Hudson River.
The annual Fish Count also supported New York’s “Get Offline, Get Outside” initiative, encouraging children and families to spend time outdoors while learning about conservation and the importance of protecting one of the state’s most valuable natural resources.
Comments