MATES

Many of the Juniors from the Marine Academy had been to Sedge as Freshman. Still, they were anxious to return to the island for some new experiences. As usual fishing was a popular activity. Students caught and released two short (14 and 22 inch) Striped Bass. Many other smaller fish were collected using both seine and cast nets.

Teacher Tina Held setup a microscope that projected images of tiny micro organisms on a computer screen. These organisms were collected in plankton nets at various times throughout the night. This intensive study is by far the most scientific investigation of any group visiting Sedge.

The work of the MATES with part of our conservation project at Sedge is much appreciated. The students sorted through thousands of tiny clams (8mm) which had been wintered over in heavy nylon bags at the bottom of the bay. Unfortunately, many of these clams appear to have smothered in the thick mud and silt. As a result of this mundane work the live clams they picked out of the bags will now have a new lease on life as they have been transferred to upwellers where they will get more food in a protected environment.

It is always a pleasure to have MATES students out on Sedge Island, and this trip was great too!

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Long Branch High School

Long Branch High School students visited Sedge for the first time this year. With guidance by Project Use staff the students had an opportunity to kayak, clam and seine. This was difficult since the group was on the island for less than five hours. We hope they will be able to come for an overnight stay next year.

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Montclair Cooperative School

The sixth graders arrived at Sedge with predictions for horrible weather. Because one of their priorities was to kayak, we set out in less than ideal conditions. Paddling with a strong wind and tide we tried to find shelter in a cove just to the southwest. Despite the fact that we were somewhat sheltered from the strongest wind many students found it almost impossible to make it around a point were the conditions were most difficult. But they all made it safely back to the island.





Our next kayak trip on the following day was a completely different experience. We paddled south through several of the larger marsh channels. We hiked across one section and had to build a bridge to cross one of the mosquito ditches. When we stopped for lunch the sun came out. Our paddle back to the house was quite enjoyable.

This group spent the entire time without using lights to simulate conditions as they were some years ago at Sedge and indeed are today in many parts of the world. Students made their way around in the dark found that by the second night they were able to function quite well without even turning on their flashlights. This is a challenge for anyone but is especially difficult for young people who play electronic video games 24-7.

A good time was had by all, and we can't wait to read your comments!

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Cora Hartshorn Arboretum

A mix of students some as young as 3rd grade and parents arrived at Sedge Island on Friday night. Even though some of the students were small and had no prior kayak experience, they all managed to paddle into the marsh and pass close to the peregrine falcon hacking tower before stopping for lunch on a sandy beach on the western side of the Marine Conservation Zone. On the way back to the house we stopped to dig some soft clams in one of the sandbars. While we didn’t get many, we did manage to rake some hard clams and as a result we had a wonderful clams and spaghetti dinner on Saturday night.

The biggest disappointment for some of the participants was not catching any fish. Many of the students and some of the adults fished every spare moment. Although some had the tails bitten off the pink Fin-s, or had their grass shrimp taken off their hook no one landed a fish.

This group picked up where the previous group left off with the clam aquaculture conservation project. Students sorted through thousands of 8mm size clams to find any that had survived the winter in mesh bags staked down in the waters off the west side of the island. Unfortunately, their findings confirmed that many of the tiny clams did not make it over the winter. Thanks for helping with this tedious but important task.

Jim Merritt

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Watershed Ambassadors

The first group to be in residence at Sedge Island this year was the twenty member group of Watershed Ambassadors. While many of these students have been teaching water related concepts in various districts throughout the state, they found that they could further enhance their knowledge of aquatic systems by living on a salt marsh island for two days.

In addition to fishing and clamming the group experienced a lengthy kayak trip through the Marine Conservation Zone led by DEP staff members Lynette Lurig and Kerry Kirk Pflugh along with Sedge Island staff Katina Tsakiris. After learning about the Army Corps of Engineers dike everyone hiked along the rock wall along the north side of Barnegat Inlet. Several Ambassadors took a quick dip in the frigid ocean water before returning to their boats to paddle back to Sedge.

While on the island the Ambassadors took part in an important conservation project. They helped clean, sort, and count tiny clams which were placed in heavy mesh bags by volunteers from the Barnegat Bay Shellfish Restoration Program. Thank you so much for helping with this dirty, time consuming job.

Jim Merritt and Katina Tsakiris

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