Summer 2023 Fish Inventory of the Hackensack River Drainage (2023)
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Andrew Ruiz
College:
The Dorothy and George Hennings College of Science, Mathematics, and Technology
Major:
Environmental Sciences
Faculty Research Advisor(s):
Cailin O'Connor Fitzpatrick
Abstract:
This project summarizes the results of the summer 2023 iteration of the Meadowlands Fish Inventory in and around the Hackensack River. The Hackensack River is a brackish, tidal river surrounded by urbanized areas and invasive Phragmites flats. These inventories are conducted by the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority to understand changes in the ichthyofauna of the Meadowlands over time. All sampling was completed within the regulations and limits of NJSEA’s state approved sampling permit. Sampling took place 3-4 times per week in accordance with favorable tidal conditions from June - September with a set number of collections for each sampling type. Sampling types included trawls, seines, and trap-nets. Over the course of the season, 934 individuals of 28 species were recorded. The most common species encountered were White Perch, Spot Croaker, Mummichog, and Atlantic Menhaden, together comprising 80% of all individuals. Many new species that had not appeared in previous Meadowlands Fish Inventories were found during this survey, such as non-larval Atlantic Croaker, Black Sea Bass, and Black Drum. Reasons for noted changes in the compiled ichthyofauna data are presently unknown.