Ocean Fun Days June 8 and 9!!!!

[shresearchdude]

Hello All,

This coming Sunday June 9th is Ocean Fun Day at Sandy Hook. There will be a multitude of Nature Conservancy Organizations on hand to educate everyone about the work that they do and many have on hands displays and activities!
The NOAA Lab will open it's doors on just this one day every year to show off what we do!!
Water Chemistry display
Ocean Acidification displays
The importance of Oysters
I'm pretty sure the Shark guy is coming back!
Fish larvae studies and their importance in the ecosystem
Non-Lethal determination of fish health methods
Reef Habitats in deep water
A UAV simulation created using real data
AND MUCH MORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On hand as far as fish???

Over 50 Striped Bass from 25-35"
Black Sea Bass up to 8 pounds!
Summer Flounder
Winter Flounder-and maybe they can show off some of the thousands of larvae that they have on hand!
Other miscellaneous fish?
Spotted Hake
Skates
Spot
Croaker
Sea Robins
Pipefish-if you can find them
Tons of tiny crabs for everyone to get bitten by!! and a few Horseshoe Crabs


And of course someone will be showing off some of the newest technology and how we incorporate it into fisheries research!

[Blackfish Doug]

I would love to see a Whiting in that tank but I guess they are are about as hard to find as a blue back herring .

[Gerry Zagorski]

Been to John's Research Center, it's impressive and our kids loved it.

My favorite is the Fluke Tank... They have them in an all glass tank with sand sloping up to the top of the tank simulating a beach... Very cool to see how the Fluke dig themselves into the sand and change their skins to match the bottom. They blend themselves in so well, if it weren't for the colored tags, you'd be hard pressed to see them.

If you are lucky enough to be there when they through some live baits in, you will be amazed how aggressive they are when they ambush the bait.

VERY COOL and educational too.

[TimM]

Sounds Awesome. What time in the am does it start ?
Also don't think I remember where it is in the Hook ?
Thanks
Tim

[shresearchdude]

http://www.njseagrant.org/about-ocean-fun-days

11-3pm!

You may try to tell the Park Service that are collecting $$ for BEACH Parking that you are attending Ocean Fun Day. They shouldn't charge you-but they might...

Sandy Hook
From Garden State Parkway Heading South:

Use Exit 117. Take Route 36 East.
Follow signs to the Sandy Hook Unit of Gateway National Recreational Area, approximately twelve (12) miles.
Once you enter the park follow the Ocean Fun Days signs to the New Jersey Sea Grant Consortium's headquarters at 22 Magruder Road in the Fort Hancock Historic District.
From Garden State Parkway Heading North:

Use Exit 105. Take Route 36 East, approximately six (6) miles. At the intersection of Ocean Boulevard,
turn left (north). Continue on Ocean Boulevard for approximately eight (8) miles.
Once in the Park:

Once you enter the park follow the Ocean Fun Days signs.

There may be no feeding activities. The fish get used to a certain feeding schedule and presentation which usually isn't possible with a crowd.

[shresearchdude]

The little Bluefish are in!!! less than 2"

Found some at Victory Park in Rumson to put into one of my massive glass fronted tanks.

[shresearchdude]

We added some Puffers from a beach seine trip yesterday! ( 11-3 Sunday)
http://sh.nefsc.noaa.gov/openhouse13.html

[MVP]

Bringing my godson and neice fun Ocean Fun Day w/ Uncle Alex. I think i may have more fun than them.

Thanks for putting this together and opening up to the public.

MVP

[shresearchdude]

Did anyone make it out here for the Open House? Shoot me a message if you want to provide feedback.

Thanks!

[MVP]

Originally Posted by shresearchdude

Did anyone make it out here for the Open House? Shoot me a message if you want to provide feedback.

Thanks!

Made it to the event Sunday afternoon with my nephew (godson) and neice to spend Ocean Fun day with Uncle Alex. All three of us had a great time as you could not have asked for a better day as weather cooperated and kids had a great time. Was very impressed with all the younger kids that were working the event as it was nice to see them so interested and knowledgeable about our local waters. Both the kids and I learned alot about some of the current studys on how the environment effects our waters. Gave kids a quick quiz on the way home and they really seemed to have learned alot and must have been paying attention. Pretty cool as they had fun and learned something at the same time. Many thanks to shresearchdude for the heads up and doing what you do.