Ocean Gate Tries New Nitrogen Removal System.

The people of Ocean Gate have once again led the way with an environmentally friendly public works project. Today's Asbury Park Press article details the experimental nitrogen removal system that may be another useful agent in our efforts to clean up Barnegat Bay. Our own shellfish gardener, Councilwomen Joella Nicastro was one of the six members to vote for the project.

Barnegat Elementary Kids to Aid ReClam the Bay

Each year the Barnegat Elementary School District’s “Leadership In Training” program’s fifth graders work hard on their goal of raising money for worthy charities. Last year the children raised funds for the earthquake victims in Haiti. This year they decided to work for a more local and community based program and have chosen ReClam the Bay and the purchase of a Giant Clam to be their goal. Yesterday, Feb. 9th teachers Leigh Sharpless, Bonnie Harris, Sara Flynn and Billie Ambrose from the Cecil S. Collins School, Robert L Horbelt School, Joseph T. Donahue School and the Lillian M Dunfee School and the children of the Leadership In Training program met for an assembly program at the Collins School with volunteer members from ReClam the Bay. Dr. Jim Merritt began the program with an overview of our program, a brief history of the bay, the importance of shellfish to the bay and what we can do to help keep the bay healthy. Wes Dalzell and Frank Vives distributed live oysters to the children and gave a hands- on lesson on measuring oysters. The program’s last presenter was Rick Bushnell who talked about the Clam Trail and the Giant Clams of Ocean County. He also gave the children fund raising ideas and thanked them for their interest in ReClam the Bay.

New Pollution limits for Bay

The Asbury Park Press has reported on the current actions of the DEP regarding pollution levels in the bay. The article appears in today's Press.

Wes send me the following article from last months' National Geographic Magazine about one way to rid the Chesapeake Bay of cownosed rays. Our friends at garbagefish.com will like this story.

Lavallette Kids Nix Nitrogen 'N Nettles Now

This morning's (Saturday, Feb. 5) Asbury Park Press has an article that I would like to share with you. The concept of getting young people interested and involved in learning about Barnegat Bay is rapidly catching on thanks to the efforts of Jim Merritt and other environmental activists. Our Shellfish in the Classroom program has now distributed oysters to children in Waretown Pritt Elementary School and Mt. Laurel Middle School. Look for more info on these programs in a future blog post.

Oysters in the News

As I was browsing the Internet I came across several interesting articles dealing with the plight of oysters world wide.

The first article deals with the oyster restoration projects in the Gulf of Mexico.

The second is closer to home concerning efforts of oystermen in the Delaware Bay.

The third article deals with the decline of the oyster population everywhere in the world.