Coastal Steward

There are many ways to help support our efforts. The various programs and projects involve volunteers, sponsors, organizations and government agencies. Everyone is welcome, from elementary students to retired men and women. Some come for an hour or two, some stay all day. What ever you can do is appreciated.

The Adopt-A-Beach program is a volunteer program. Individuals or organizations adopt a beach that they choose. They are responsible for cleaning that beach on a regular basis, which depends on a number of factors such as migratory patterns of the species that inhabit the area, size and condition of the beach, etc. They are also responsible for any expenses related to the cleanups.

The Sponsor-A-Beach program is based on monetary donations from individuals, businesses, organizations or government agencies. The sponsor picks a beach and the Coastal Steward organizes everything from recruiting and training volunteers to getting permits and directing the event. Normally a beach is defined as up to one half of a mile by fifty feet. Each beach is looked at on an individual basis. The Coastal Steward is responsible for the cleanups.

The Shellfish Restoration Project is a hands on project. Volunteers assist in the growing of the shellfish seed and placing them into protected sanctuaries. Generally shellfish seed, usually oysters, bay scallops or clams are donated or purchased. When we get them, they are only an eighth to a quarter of an inch in size when they are put into protective cages. The cages need to be cleaned every two weeks. At which time data is collected to determine water temperature, growth rates, predator and disease frequency and mortality.

The Coastal Steward has been involved with Shellfish Restoration Project since 2000. To date more than 230,000 adult shellfish have been released into Port Jefferson and Mt. Sinai Harbors. Volunteers must clean the protective cages every two weeks. While cleaning the gear volunteers sort and reduce the density of the oysters and bay scallops. Survival rates are also recorded. Our goal is to establish a self-sustaining population of oysters in the harbors.

The shellfish, American oysters that we use are from a disease resistant strain that also has a visible genetic marker which is black stripes on their shell. This marker allows us to gauge our success verses natural stock. The marker is found naturally but in very low numbers. Oyster populations around Long Island are only at an estimated 1% of their historical high. The bay scallop portion of the project is still in the preliminary stage.

The results of our efforts are starting to show success. Initial surveys indicate that 95% of the oysters found at low tide have the black stripes. Harvest levels are still significantly low but improving. Continuing the shellfish restoration project is critical to establishing a self-sustaining population of disease resistant oysters. Water quality also benefits from this project, since an adult oyster can filter more than 50 gallons of water per day, thus removing organic and inorganic material from the water column. The oysters are released into sanctuaries that the CS created with the town. We work closely with the Town of Brookhaven. They supply us with the oyster seed, a facility to place and work our gear, which include three aquaculture platforms, two boats, thousands of shellfish cages, a storage trailer and various other equipment that we use in the project.

The Osprey Platform Program is a program that can be sponsored or a group can erect platforms for osprey to build nests on that protect their young and give them a good vantage point for spotting food.

The new Fish Tagging Program is in support of the American Littoral Society's program.