The New York Bight encompasses more than 16,000 square miles of coastal and ocean waters from Montauk, New York, to Cape May, New Jersey. It is an ecological treasure trove, providing critical migration routes for globally threatened species, including sea turtles, whales, and sharks, as well as a nursery ground and critical habitat for hundreds of other marine species. With over 20 million people living along this coastline and one of the busiest ports in the world, these waters and wildlife face significant challenges. The Wildlife Conservation Society’s NY Seascape program, based at the New York Aquarium, seeks to protect and restore threatened species and critical habitat, encourages smart ocean planning to ensure a place for wildlife in our busy waters, and works to build ecological resilience in nearshore and river habitats.
Jake LaBelle is the Research Program Officer in the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Seascape Program. He oversees various field studies underway in the New York area, including acoustic and satellite tagging of several shark species in NY waters as well as monitoring American eels in the rivers of southern New York. Jake holds an M.A. in Marine Conservation and Policy from Stony Brook University.
Dana Tricarico, Program Officer for the Wildlife Conservation Society graciously presented Jake LeBelle’s presentation, who was unavailable to attend this evenings program.