Sawkill Eel Project Presents

Sawkill Eel Project - Volunteer Opportunities!

Every Spring, the NYSDEC deploys special nets where volunteers count, weigh, and release the migrating eels every day. We have one of these sites right on Bard College campus, in front of the Ecology field station!

Every member of the Bard community is encouraged to "voluntEEL!"

Hello Bardians!

Springtime brings a lot to look forward to--the most exciting of which is eel migration! Every spring, the American Eel migrates from the Atlantic Ocean into freshwater rivers or estuaries. However, the threats of overfishing, pollution, and barriers to migration routes have caused a decline in eel populations. The communuty science Hudson River Eel Project, started by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation ten years ago, monitors the population size of eels migrating up the Hudson River and into tributaries such as the Saw Kill in order to inform management and conservation decisions. 

Every spring the NYSDEC deploys special nets at different sites along the Hudson River from Staten Island to Troy, where volunteers count, weigh, and release the migrating eels every day. Luckily, we have one of these sites right on our campus, in front of the Ecology field station!

Because we are largely volunteer-based, spreading the word about this project is important.and we are asking you to sign up again this year! https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13FYxREEdcZ0MAMm0rjawXoQ9xr1V6XS0UNadGHx2rA4/edit#gid=0. You can sign up for as many shifts as you want. Once you sign up for a slot we depend on you being there, so please let us know if your plans change and you can no longer come as soon as possible.

The project:
Every spring, the American Eel migrates from the Sargasso Sea into freshwater rivers and estuaries. However, the threats of overfishing, pollution, and barriers to migration routes have caused a decline in eel populations. The citizen science Hudson River Eel Project, started by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation fifteen years ago, monitors the population size of eels migrating up the Hudson River and into tributaries such as the Saw Kill in order to inform management and conservation decisions. 

Every spring the NYSDEC deploys special nets at different sites along the Hudson River from Staten Island to Troy, where volunteers count, weigh, and release the migrating eels every day. Luckily, we have one of these sites right on Bard College campus, in front of the Ecology field station!

Eeling process:
From March to May eeling is done daily at low tide (different time everyday). Eeling entails wading into the water, checking the net for eels (and other animals), tying the knots to secure the net, writing down the data, and releasing eels upstream over the dam. There will be at least one experienced eeler present who will teach you the steps. On average, eeling shifts take an hour depending on the number of eels caught. 

What you should bring:
Although you don’t need any special gear please be aware that eeling involves wading into the water (with provided water protective gear) and searching through the net. Please dress warmly and comfortably.

Directions:
We will meet at the field gear cabinets under the deck at the Bard College Ecology Field Station located at the end of Bay Road, which connects to Blithewood Avenue before Jim Ottaway Jr. Film Center. We recommend you leave your car in the parking lot located just before the turn onto Bay Road.

Safety:
Remember to check yourself for ticks. Never sample alone or in unsafe conditions (lightning, high flow, etc.). Be aware of debris on the bottom when you are wading in. Please note that you might not be able to get inside the field station; this means that you won’t be able to use restrooms or warm up indoors.

Please contact us at [email protected] with any questions and follow us on Instagram @bardeels for updates!

Check out this RadioLab episode from fun eel information: https://radiolab.org/episodes/silky-love    
We look forward to seeing you!
Best,

The Eel Interns

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Follow us on Instagram for updates!
@bardeels

For more information, call 845-758-6822, or e-mail [email protected].

Location: Bard College Ecology Field Station

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