Category: Studies & Reports

Assessment of Nutrient Loading and Eutrophication in Barnegat Bay (Rutgers Report)

posted on: October 20, 2014

Acknowledgements We thank the New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission (Susannah King, project manager) for providing the funding to conduct this project and for overseeing administrative components. Members of the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), who provided valuable guidance on the project, are gratefully acknowledged. The following government agencies played an integral role in development […]

Characterization of phytoplankton functional taxonomic groups in relation to juvenile hard clam production in the Barnegat Bay-Little Egg Harbor Estuary (BB-LEH)

posted on: May 13, 2014

This study, led by Dr. Monica Bricelj of Rutgers University, focused on identifying the phytoplankton functional taxonomic groups (FTGs) present in Barnegat Bay through a novel process involving chemical analysis of photopigments and comparing the results of that process to that of standard microscopy. Furthermore, the investigators then relate FTG data derived from this project […]

Sea Nettle Polyp Settlement Pilot Study

posted on: February 12, 2014

In the summer of 2013 Barnegat Bay Partnership technicians undertook a pilot study to assess the feasibility of using underwater photography to determine preferred materials and locations for sea nettle polyp settlement. This report summarizes the methodology and findings, and includes recommendations for utilizing this technique in the future.

Derelict crab trap identification and removal in Barnegat Bay

posted on: January 21, 2014

This study by Dr. Mark Sullivan and colleagues at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey assessed the prevalence of derelict, or ghost, crab pots in heavily fished waters of Barnegat Bay. Using advanced side-scan sonar techniques, the researchers were able to document the relative abundance and location of lost or discarded crab pots, which […]

Ocean County College Experimental Watershed Final Report

posted on: October 18, 2013

This report was prepared to document the findings of activities conducted by Birdsall Engineering, Inc. (BEI) as part of the Barnegat Bay National Estuary Program’s Experimental Watershed Project, which focuses on the Ocean County College campus, located in Toms River, New Jersey. The report provides an overview of fundamental watershed management practices; a detailed description […]

Artificial nesting habitats as a conservation strategy for turtle populations experiencing global change

posted on: August 1, 2013

In Barnegat Bay, New Jersey, USA, there is a mosaic of natural and degraded terrapin nesting habitats. We investigated the effects of dredge soil and shade on the hatching success of diamondback terrapins to determine whether nesting habitat could be increased by using dredged bottom sediments.

Shellfish stock assessment of Little Egg Harbor Bay (2011)

posted on: May 2, 2013

The New Jersey Bureau of Shellfisheries conducted a hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) stock assessment of Little Egg Harbor Bay. The Bureau sampled 196 stations from 24 August to 18 October 2011 using a hydraulic dredge to determine the Bays standing stock and relative distribution of hard clams. The hard clam resource in Little Egg Harbor […]

2012 Sea Nettle Barrier Project Final Report

posted on: May 2, 2013

In the summer of 2012 the BBP continued to set two barrier nets at local bathing beaches to test their effectiveness in excluding sea nettle medusa from interacting with bathers. This year included a reduced mesh size compared to 2011. The results of the net’s effectiveness across mesh sizes, as well as it’s interactions with […]

Economic Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Hazards and Climate Change: Building Resilience in the Barnegat Bay Region

posted on: April 9, 2013

This study identifies key economic vulnerabilities to climate change and options for adaptation in the Barnegat Bay region of New Jersey. This study draws on stakeholder knowledge of the region, including understanding of existing development stresses, in order to identify critical economic vulnerabilities to climate change and to identify feasible options for adaptation. The study […]

An Initial Assessment of the Economic Impacts of Sandy on New Jersey and New York Commercial and Recreational Fishing Sectors

posted on: March 18, 2013

This report provides results from a rapid appraisal of impacts to fishing communities in New York and New Jersey from Sandy. This report also serves as NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) 60 day assessment of impacts from Sandy, a requirement for disaster declarations filed under MSA 315. More specifically, MSA 315 requires that within two months after […]