Category: Marine

Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Week (Part 2 of a 5-part Series)

Posted on by mikedavenport

With Memorial Day Weekend upon us, summer is unofficially here for New Jerseyans. That means plenty of tourists enjoying shore, sand, surf, and sun – but it also means other types of annual summer visitors to our coast: bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and whales. However, what may be inspiring sightings from a healthy distance can become tragic encounters when marine animals become stranded or entangled in nets.

This story marks the second of five blog stories spotlighting New Jersey’s marine mammals and sea turtles – and educating people how to help animals in need, rather than make a bad situation worse.

Part 1 yesterday revealed the bottlenose dolphin die-off striking the Eastern Seaboard. Part 3, on Wednesday, will look at how people can safely help stranded wildlife. Part 4, on Thursday, will investigate the fascinating condition of cold-stunned sea turtles. And Part 5, on Friday, will reveal the importance of reporting sightings – both for live or dead marine mammals.

MARINE MAMMAL & SEA TURTLE WEEK: Ask the Experts – NOAA’s Mendy Garron sheds light on bottlenose dolphin die-off

By Stephanie Feigin, Program Coordinator

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) declared an unusual Mortality Event (UME) in early July 2013 for bottlenose dolphins along the Atlantic Coast. There have been an elevated number of strandings in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. These strandings have ranged from a few live animals to mostly dead animals and many very decomposed. These dolphins usually show lesions on their mouth, skin, joints or lungs.

Bottlenose dolphin. Photo by Cordell Brown.
Bottlenose dolphin. Photo by Cordell Brown.

In New Jersey, there have been 135 documented strandings from July 1, 2013 – April 20, 2014. Research attributes this UME to cetacean morbillivirus, a naturally occurring virus in marine mammal populations. It suppresses the immune system and affects the brain and lungs, and causes the death of the animal from other secondary infections. This virus has now affected about 50% of the coastal migratory bottlenose dolphin stock leading to the classification of “Depleted” for this stock under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. I spoke with Mendy Garron, the Marine Mammal Response Coordinator for NOAA Fisheries, about this dolphin die-off.

CWF: What is the unusual mortality event that is occurring for bottlenose dolphins?
MendyGarron, NOAA: In July 2013, NOAA’s Marine Mammal Stranding Network partners documented an increase in bottlenose dolphin strandings occurring in the Mid-Atlantic region (New York through Virginia). Since that time, bottlenose dolphin strandings have remained elevated.

CWF: How widespread is this event? And how is it affecting the New Jersey population of bottlenose dolphins?
MendyGarron, NOAA: The increase in bottlenose dolphin stranding events has extended down through Florida. Coastal migratory bottlenose dolphins migrate south during the winter months and are located off the coast of NC, SC, GA and FL during the winter. In late spring and early summer, the dolphins will migrate back up north and be found in coastal waters of mid-Atlantic states (NY through NC).
Research efforts are underway to understand the impacts the die-off will have on the coastal bottlenose dolphin population, including those that are found in New Jersey waters.

CWF: What are the results, so far, of your investigation into this UME?
MendyGarron, NOAA: This Unusual Mortality Event (UME) has been attributed to an outbreak of cetacean morbillivirus. More information on morbillivirus can be found on the following website:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/health/mmume/midatldolphins2013.html
Morbillivirus is highly contagious among animals in an infected population. The virus spreads through inhalation of respiratory particles or direct contact between animals. Animals can also be exposed to the virus through other entryways such as the eyes, mouth, stomach, skin wounds, and urogenital tract. Secondary or co-infections caused by fungus, bacteria, parasites and protozoa have also been documented in some animals.

CWF: How can we help protect the New Jersey population?
MendyGarron, NOAA: Bottlenose dolphins are faced with many negative impacts in their daily lives including, but not limited to: fishery interactions, boat strikes, and contamination. There are many things that can be done to help protect these animals. Here is a link to the NOAA Fisheries Service regional website that houses information on responsible wildlife viewing practices for dolphins, as well as guidance for recreational fishermen and boaters: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/Protected/mmp/
An informational video can also be found at: http://www.dontfeedwilddolphins.org/

Marine Mammal & Sea Turtle Week (Part 1 of a 5-part series)

Posted on by mikedavenport

With Memorial Day Weekend upon us, summer is unofficially here for New Jerseyans. That means plenty of tourists enjoying shore, sand, surf, and sun – but it also means other types of annual summer visitors to our coast: bottlenose dolphins, sea turtles, and whales. However, what may be inspiring sightings from a healthy distance can become tragic encounters when marine animals become stranded or entangled in nets.

This story marks the first of five blog stories spotlighting New Jersey’s marine mammals and sea turtles – and educating people how to help animals in need, rather than make a bad situation worse.

Part 2, on Tuesday, will feature a Question-and-Answer on the dolphin mortality event with NOAA’s Mendy Garron. Part 3, on Wednesday, will look at how people can safely help stranded wildlife. Part 4, on Thursday, will investigate the fascinating condition of cold-stunned sea turtles. And Part 5, on Friday, will reveal the importance of reporting sightings – both for live or dead marine mammals.

MARINE MAMMAL & SEA TURTLE WEEK: Dolphin die-off kills over 1,000 bottlenose dolphins along Atlantic coast

By David Wheeler, Executive Director of Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey

At least 136 bottlenose dolphins became stranded in New Jersey over the past year. Most of the strandings were fatal, and many dolphins showed lesions and other infections. Over 1,200 dolphins have stranded along the entire Eastern seaboard – a situation bleak enough that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) declared an Unusual Mortality Event.

Bottlenose dolphin. Photo by Cordell K. Brown.
Bottlenose dolphin. Photo by Cordell Brown.

The cause is Cetacean morbillivirus. About half of coastal migratory bottlenose dolphins are affected, leading to this stock’s federal classification as ‘Depleted’ under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Bottlenose dolphins were already considered species of special concern in New Jersey, and this only further threatens their population.

In stark contrast with the 136 dolphins stranded in New Jersey since last July 1, the average number of strandings in the state for a given year is 10.

The last major morbillivirus mortality event among bottlenose dolphins occurred in 1987-88, which ultimately helped lead the U.S. Congress to establish the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program.

The dolphin virus was among the issues discussed atConserve Wildlife Foundation’s inaugural marine mammal stranding workshops last month at Monmouth University and Richard Stockton College.

Speakers at our recent stranding response workshops led interactive discussions to educate first responders on how to handle marine mammal and sea turtle strandings. Jen Zebrowski from Jenkinson’s Aquarium educated responders on how to identify some 13 species of marine mammals and 5 sea turtles they might encounter on the New Jersey coast. Mendy Garron, Kate Sampson and Scott Doyle from NOAA explained what a responder should do once they encounter the animal, how to make the situation safe, and the legal obligations facing first responders with a stranding.

Now we enter this summer hoping that cetacean morbillivirus will not claim nearly as many dolphins this year. Keep your fingers crossed!

Jen Zebrowski from Jenkinson’s Aquarium providing an overview of NJ's marine mammal & sea turtle species at CWF's recent stranding response workshop at Stockton College. Photo by Stephanie Feigin.
Jen Zebrowski from Jenkinson’s Aquarium providing an overview of NJ’s marine mammal & sea turtle species at CWF’s recent stranding response workshop at Stockton College. Photo by Stephanie Feigin.

Helpful Links:

Bottlenose Dolphin Field Guide

NOAA Unusual Mortality Event page for Bottlenose Dolphin Morbillivirus

NOAA Marine Mammal Stranding page

Marine Mammal Stranding Center, Brigantine, New Jersey

Jenkinson’s Aquarium

Freshwater vs. Marine Mussels

Posted on by mikedavenport
THE CENTENARIANS VS. THE GREAT APPETIZERS

By Michael Davenport, Marine Species & GIS Programs Manager

“Can you eat them?”  That’s the question I get most often when I tell people that I search for rare freshwater mussels.  Most people don’t realize that freshwater mussels even exist and those who do often don’t know how they are related to and different from their marine cousins.  I’ve been guilty of mussel misconceptions – as a child, I had believed that all the mussel shells I saw along lake shorelines and shallow waters were discards from a clam (mussel) bake of marine shellfish.

On the left is the freshwater eastern floater mussel and on the right is the marine blue mussel. Photo by Mike Davenport.

Let’s start with mussel similarities – both freshwater and marine mussels are bivalve (two-shells connected with a hinge) mollusks (soft-bodied invertebrates).  Both live in water and are filter-feeders, straining plankton (microscopic plants and animals), bacteria and other particles from the water column.  And both are known as “mussels” because they somewhat resemble each other, having shells which are longer than wide.  That ends the similarities.

Within the phylum Mollusca and the class Bivalvia, freshwater and marine mussels are within separate subclasses:  Palaeoheterodonta = freshwater mussels; Pteriomorphia = marine mussels.  Based on this separation, marine mussels are more closely related to oysters and scallops than they are to freshwater mussels.

One obvious difference between freshwater and marine mussels is that freshwater mussels live in freshwater streams, rivers, ponds and lakes while marine mussels live in salt water oceans and bays.  There is a higher diversity of freshwater mussel species in New Jersey (12 native species) than marine species (~ 3) and most of the freshwater species are imperiled while the marine mussels are still plentiful.

Marine mussels taste wonderful in a garlic butter or marinara sauce while freshwater mussels taste like an old dirty shoe.  Most freshwater mussels in New Jersey also have a protected status and cannot be harvested or collected.  Even possessing the shell of an endangered or threatened species is illegal without a permit.

Although unpalatable to humans, freshwater mussels are prey for raccoons, otters, and crayfish.  Marine mussels are prey for some birds, sea stars, and some marine snails.

Marine mussels reproduce by releasing their eggs and sperm into the water.  The young then begin life as floating plankton for between one and six months before settling on the bottom as an adult.  With freshwater mussels, the male releases sperm into the water which then enters the female via her incurrent siphon.  The eggs are fertilized within the female’s body and the young mussels, known as glochidia, are then released into the water to attach themselves to a passing fish as a parasite.  After feeding on the fish during their larval stage, they detach themselves, fall to the bottom, and begin their adult stage.

Most marine mussels (and the invasive freshwater Zebra mussel; which is not within either the Palaeoheterodonta or Pteriomorphia subclasses) use threads calls byssus to attach themselves to underwater rocks, jetties, and other structures.  Freshwater mussels are more mobile, using their powerful foot to move along the substrate and bury themselves.

Freshwater mussels are also known for their longevity.  Some species are known to live for over 100 years.  Although some marine clams are thought to surpass the century mark, marine mussel likely do not.

For more information about New Jersey’s freshwater mussels, please visit the links below:

Extinct & Extirpated Species of New Jersey

Posted on by mikedavenport
NEW JERSEY’S LOST NATURAL HERITAGE

By Michael Davenport, Marine Species & GIS Programs Manager

The rusty-patched bumble bee, a species believed to be extirpated within New Jersey.

Conserve Wildlife Foundation of NJ (CWF) has just launched several new web pages devoted to those species which have been lost from New Jersey (and the world in some cases).  Ten species are profiled – five which are extinct and five which are extirpated from the state.   Although their stories are sad, they are also warnings for what may happen to other species which are currently struggling to survive within the state, especially those already on the state’s endangered species list.  CWF’s wildlife conservation projects attempt to avoid more species becoming extinct or extirpated in New Jersey.

CWF would like to thank Joseph Wotasek, a junior at Centenary College majoring in Graphic Design, who volunteered his time and skills in creating images of the ten profiled species for the new web pages.

To learn more about extinct and extirpated species, please visit CWF’s website at:  Extinct & Extirpated Species of NJ.

Observations of Rare Species Wanted!

Posted on by mikedavenport
NATURE WATCHING ISN’T JUST FUN, IT CAN BE USEFUL TOO

By Michael Davenport, Marine Species & GIS Programs Manager

Like many birdwatchers, although I still enjoy seeing the neighborhood cardinal in my yard, it’s the sightings of rarely encountered species, especially those classified as endangered, threatened, or special concern, which really keep my eyes scanning around during a hike.

Observations of Special Concern species, such as this Eastern Box Turtle, may be reported to the NJ Endangered Species Program. Photo by Mike Davenport.

Many birdwatchers, or nature enthusiasts of other species groups such as reptiles or butterflies, share their encounters with rare species on websites or bulletin boards.  In addition, several organizations, such as the Cornell Lab of Ornithology or NJ Audubon, recruit “citizen scientists” who collect species observation data and submit that data electronically via websites such as eBird.  That data is important for those organizations’ scientific research and assists scientists in analyzing population trends over years.  However, more often than not, it never finds its way to New Jersey’s state biologists nor the state regulators whose task it is to protect rare species habitat in the state.

The New Jersey Endangered and Nongame Species Program (ENSP) collects data for, not just rare birds, but all of the state’s endangered, threatened, and special concern species.  A Rare Wildlife Sighting Report Form is available on ENSP’s website for download as well as instructions for completing the form.  A complete list of all of the species tracked by the state can be downloaded here.

A map of the location of your observation, such as this one, should be sent with your Rare Wildlife Sighting Report Form.

Rare species data within the state’s database plays a critical role in wildlife and habitat conservation. It is the foundation of the NJ DEP’s Landscape Project, a GIS product that maps critical areas for imperiled species based upon species locations and land-use classifications. The resulting maps allow state, county, municipal, and private agencies to identify important wildlife habitats and protect them in a variety of ways. This information is used to regulate land-use within the state and assists in preserving endangered and threatened species habitat remaining in New Jersey.

Reporting your rare wildlife observation is easy.  Simply complete the form, attach a map of where the animal was observed, as well as any photographs taken, and then mail or e-mail the form and map to ENSP at the address provided on the form.  For more details about the state’s rare species mapping, please visit our webpage.

Atlantic Sturgeon Added to NJ’s Endangered Species List

Posted on by mikedavenport
A “LIVING FOSSIL” IN DANGER OF BECOMING EXTINCT

By Michael Davenport, Marine Species & GIS Programs Manager

New Jersey’s list of endangered and threatened species increases to 84 this week with the addition of the Atlantic sturgeon.   It is the second fish, along with the shortnose sturgeon, on that list.

A young-of-year Atlantic sturgeon. © Hal Brundage, ERC, Inc.

After a lengthy review process, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric  Administration (NOAA) listed the Atlantic sturgeon as Endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act.  Species which occur in New Jersey and are listed as Endangered on the federal level, automatically become listed as Endangered at the state level as well.

Sturgeon are often referred to as “living fossils” because they are among the oldest groups of bony fishes and have retained primitive characteristics.  Like the shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon are slow-growing, long-lived fish which mature late in life.  Both species have been overfished both for the eggs and their flesh and their populations have yet to recover.  Despite the current ban on their capture, they continue to face threats due to unintentional catch (bycatch), pollution, dredging of critical habitat, and boat strikes.

While both species of sturgeon inhabit the Delaware and Hudson rivers, the Atlantic sturgeon also occurs in marine waters with Delaware and Raritan bays and along New Jersey’s Atlantic coast.  To learn more about this species, please visit our on-line field guide page.

Rare sea turtle nesting!

Posted on by CWF
SURPRISE NEWS FROM THE BEACH

By Stephanie Egger, CWFNJ Wildlife Biologist

Atlantic loggerhead sea turtle. © A.J. Haverkamp

Last summer both New Jersey and Delaware had rare occurrences of sea turtles nesting or attempting to nest on their beaches.  In Stone Harbor, New Jersey this past August, a sea turtle crawled onto the beach and dug two holes in an attempt to nest in an area fenced off for beach nesting birds. Unfortunately, the sea turtle did not lay any eggs and eventually crawled back into the ocean.  Although no one witnessed the event, the turtle left strong evidence behind – its tracks! CWFNJ’s Beach Nesting Bird Program Manager along with other agency biologists was at the scene to evaluate the tracks.  Each sea turtle species has a different track pattern and leaves behind a different shape at their nesting site (their body pit).  It was determined that it was likely a state endangered loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) that attempted to nest. Continue reading “Rare sea turtle nesting!”

100+ Dead Seals in New England Are Cause For Concern in NJ This Winter

Posted on by mikedavenport
NOAA DECLARES AN UNUSUAL MORTALITY EVENT

By Michael Davenport, Marine Species & GIS Programs Manager

Since September, at least 146 harbor seals were found dead along the New England coast.  The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has declared the deaths “an unusual mortality event” and federal officials are now investigating the cause(s) of the deaths.  Five of the dead seals have tested positive for the Influenza A virus.

An injured harbor seal ashore in Ocean Grove, NJ.
An injured harbor seal ashore in Ocean Grove, New Jersey. © Michael J. Davenport

NOAA has ruled-out human involvement in the deaths (such as intentional attacks or entanglement in fishing line).  They also reported that the number of deaths is three times the number of strandings that typically occur this time of year.

The months of November and December are when seals normally return to New Jersey waters from further north (they can usually be found during the winter in NJ until April when they swim north again).   For this reason, there is great concern that our state’s shores may soon also witness a higher than average number of sick or dead seals.

Any dead seals or seals which appear to be ill or in distress should be reported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center at 609-266-0538.  Keep in mind, however, that a seal on the beach is not necessarily sick or injured.  Resting on the beach is normal behavior for seals.  They may haul-out onto beaches, jetties, or floating docks to rest or escape predators.  So, a seal on land is not necessarily a seal in distress.  Obvious indications of illness or injury are open wounds, entangled fishing line, or lack of responsiveness to their surroundings.

Continue reading “100+ Dead Seals in New England Are Cause For Concern in NJ This Winter”