RE-CLAM-ATION OF THE RE-CLAM-ATION OF THE BLUEPOINTS BOTTOMLANDS:BLUEPOINTS BOTTOMLANDS:THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF A LARGE SCALE THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF A LARGE SCALE

EFFORT TO RESTORE SUSTAINABLE HARD CLAM EFFORT TO RESTORE SUSTAINABLE HARD CLAM POPULATIONS TO GREAT SOUTH BAY, NYPOPULATIONS TO GREAT SOUTH BAY, NY

Carl LoBue, Chris Clapp - TNCCarl LoBue, Chris Clapp - TNC

and Mike Doall – SUNY Stony Brookand Mike Doall – SUNY Stony Brook

TNC’s interests in shellfish are based on TNC’s interests in shellfish are based on ecosystem services and their historic ecosystem services and their historic

dominance at our sitesdominance at our sitesNo clams 2 clams

4 clams

8 clams 16 clams

No clams 2 clams

4 clams

8 clams 16 clams

Hard clams and bay scallops in Peconics since 2001Hard clams and bay scallops in Peconics since 2001

Hard clams in Great South Bay since 2004Hard clams in Great South Bay since 2004

In 1970s, there were enough hard clams In 1970s, there were enough hard clams in Great South Bay to filter the entire in Great South Bay to filter the entire

volume of the bay in volume of the bay in ~~2.5 days, and over 2.5 days, and over 50% of US clams came from GSB50% of US clams came from GSB

Great South Bay clam harvesting circa 1970

Today harvest is down by over 98% and it takes clams ~36 days to filter the bay ~36 days to filter the bay

Annual Hard Clam Harvest from Great South BayData from NYS DEC

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

19

70

19

72

19

74

19

76

19

78

19

80

19

82

19

84

19

86

19

88

19

90

19

92

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94

19

96

19

98

20

00

20

02

Year

# o

f B

us

he

ls

Brookhaven

Islip

Babylon

Brown tide 1985Brown tide 1985

Other shellfish Other shellfish have not have not replaced clamsreplaced clams

Apparent shift in Apparent shift in the composition the composition of dominant of dominant algal speciesalgal species

These 13,000 acres in central GSB, have been in private These 13,000 acres in central GSB, have been in private ownership for over 300 yearsownership for over 300 years

Much of New York’s bay bottom was Much of New York’s bay bottom was deeded prior to statehooddeeded prior to statehood

•The lands were used for The lands were used for private shellfishing and private shellfishing and aquaculture, including aquaculture, including mechanical harvest (since mechanical harvest (since 1912 by the Bluepoints Co.) 1912 by the Bluepoints Co.)

•Bluepoints Co. divested Bluepoints Co. divested from GSB in 2003from GSB in 2003

•In 2004 TNC completed In 2004 TNC completed purchase of all Bluepoints purchase of all Bluepoints Co. submerged land in NYCo. submerged land in NY

Large Scale Large Scale Shellfish SurveysShellfish Surveys

Eastern Great South Bay, Hard Clam Abundance Indicies

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

91

98

7

19

88

19

89

19

90

19

91

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92

19

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19

94

19

95

19

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99

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00

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01

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03

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Ab

un

da

nc

e In

de

x .

Seed

> Legal size

Results of 2004 survey show system is “recruitment limited”

74% TNC sites had no clams

TNC average 0.18 clams / m2, 0.04 cherrystone-chowder / m2

At 0.75-1.25 C/ m2 recruitment = 0

Annual Hard Clam Harvest from Great South BayData from NYS DEC

0

100,000

200,000

300,000

400,000

500,000

600,000

700,000

19

70

19

72

19

74

19

76

19

78

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80

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82

19

84

19

86

19

88

19

90

19

92

19

94

19

96

19

98

20

00

20

02

Year

# o

f B

us

he

ls

Brookhaven

Islip

Babylon

Objective: Reestablish the hard Objective: Reestablish the hard clam population in GSB to an clam population in GSB to an average density of 6 clams/m2 average density of 6 clams/m2 by 2020 for the purpose of by 2020 for the purpose of ecosystem health/enhancement ecosystem health/enhancement and sustainable harvestand sustainable harvest

TNC established the Bluepoints Bottomlands TNC established the Bluepoints Bottomlands Council, consisting or Federal, State, County Council, consisting or Federal, State, County and Town resource managers, academic and Town resource managers, academic scientists, baymen, marine extension and scientists, baymen, marine extension and aquaculture experts, community stakeholdersaquaculture experts, community stakeholders

1.1. Manually rebuild spawning potentialManually rebuild spawning potential2.2. Passively rebuild population by protecting natural Passively rebuild population by protecting natural

clam sets clam sets 3.3. Improve post-release survival of hatchery reared Improve post-release survival of hatchery reared

clamsclams4.4. Maximize survival through ecosystem-based Maximize survival through ecosystem-based

approaches to managing predationapproaches to managing predation5.5. Increase understanding of temporal changes in the Increase understanding of temporal changes in the

composition and concentration of nutrients in the composition and concentration of nutrients in the GSB, local and system-wide ecological effects from GSB, local and system-wide ecological effects from changes, and rank major nutrient sourceschanges, and rank major nutrient sources

6.6. If deemed necessary, mitigate thru SSERIf deemed necessary, mitigate thru SSER7.7. Assure that harvest management and enforcement Assure that harvest management and enforcement

are consistent with rebuilding and sustainabilityare consistent with rebuilding and sustainability8.8. Foster better community stewardshipFoster better community stewardship

Eight Broad StrategiesEight Broad Strategies

Restoration and MonitoringRestoration and Monitoring• Approximately 1.25M adult clams Approximately 1.25M adult clams

stocked in over 20 areas on TNC stocked in over 20 areas on TNC lands in GSB since 2004lands in GSB since 2004

• Clams monitored for survival and Clams monitored for survival and spawningspawning

• Water monitored for larval Water monitored for larval abundanceabundance

• Large scale population Surveys Large scale population Surveys done in 2004 and 2006 done in 2004 and 2006 (Brookhaven and TNC (Brookhaven and TNC cooperatively)cooperatively)

• Water temp, water clarity, + YSI in Water temp, water clarity, + YSI in 20042004

BR 1

Y

BR 2

TNC Spawner Sanctuary Network

Size, Density, SourcesSize, Density, SourcesFirst few sites were several acres, now the sizes of First few sites were several acres, now the sizes of the sanctuaries are between 0.5 and 1 acre eachthe sanctuaries are between 0.5 and 1 acre each

Stocking density varies, but is typically between Stocking density varies, but is typically between 10 – 20 clams / m10 – 20 clams / m22 – higher when clams are smaller – higher when clams are smaller

To date clams have come from Greenwich Cove CT To date clams have come from Greenwich Cove CT in spring and late fall, north shore bays in summerin spring and late fall, north shore bays in summer

North shore clams are North shore clams are generally smaller in size generally smaller in size

Survival AssessmentsSurvival Assessments•The first season’s stocking had 66% survival (5 months).The first season’s stocking had 66% survival (5 months).

•Modifications to handling resulted in improvements in Modifications to handling resulted in improvements in initial (3-8 month) survival rates initial (3-8 month) survival rates (typically above 90%)(typically above 90%)

•Although at some sites we see high predation rates by Although at some sites we see high predation rates by whelks, accounting for over 90% of the observed mortality whelks, accounting for over 90% of the observed mortality

•Knobbed whelk far outnumber Knobbed whelk far outnumber channel whelk in SCUBA sampleschannel whelk in SCUBA samples

•Smaller clams from the north Smaller clams from the north shore have higher mortality rates shore have higher mortality rates than large clams from than large clams from Greenwich CoveGreenwich Cove

Larval AnalysesLarval Analyses• In 2004 – larval sampling was done in both GSB and PE In 2004 – larval sampling was done in both GSB and PE

– (Analyses by Dr. D. Padilla and L. Perino)– (Analyses by Dr. D. Padilla and L. Perino)• Nine Larval sampling stations in GSB, sampled weekly Nine Larval sampling stations in GSB, sampled weekly

May-OctoberMay-October• Visual ID Visual ID live, live,

preservedpreserved• MolecularMolecular• A modified A modified

sampling design sampling design continued in 2005continued in 2005

Results from visual and molecular Results from visual and molecular identification and enumeration of identification and enumeration of clam larvaeclam larvae •Visual identification of live larvae is Visual identification of live larvae is

accurate but its not possible to accurate but its not possible to enumerate themenumerate them•Visual identification of preserved Visual identification of preserved samples results in too many false samples results in too many false positives to be useful (Perino 2006)positives to be useful (Perino 2006)•Molecular identification is accurate but Molecular identification is accurate but labor intensive and expensivelabor intensive and expensive•2005 samples are in storage2005 samples are in storage•First appearance and duration of live First appearance and duration of live larvae in samples is consistent with CI larvae in samples is consistent with CI & Gonad ripeness indices& Gonad ripeness indices

Sampling is designed to Sampling is designed to evaluate; evaluate; 1) Temporal (1) Temporal (within and within and among yearsamong years) variability ) variability 2) Spatial ( 2) Spatial (within within and among baysand among bays) ) variability, 3) Differences variability, 3) Differences among two source locations among two source locations (GC, CT and OB, NY)(GC, CT and OB, NY)

Samples of 20 clams are collected weekly or Samples of 20 clams are collected weekly or bi-weekly for Condition and Gonad ripeness bi-weekly for Condition and Gonad ripeness evaluation to see if, when, and how well the evaluation to see if, when, and how well the clams are spawningclams are spawning..

Spawning EvaluationSpawning Evaluation

Laboratory Analyses Laboratory Analyses as of Sept. 2006as of Sept. 2006

• Condition Index, Condition Index, Gonad Ripeness Gonad Ripeness Index, Sex, and Size Index, Sex, and Size calculated for over calculated for over 4,800 individual 4,800 individual clams to date.clams to date.

• Lab work Lab work preformed by M. preformed by M. Doall at SUNY’s Doall at SUNY’s Functional Ecology Functional Ecology LaboratoryLaboratory

SourceSource # Clams# Clams # Sites# Sites

GSB GSB ReplantsReplants

2,6582,658 88

GSB GSB NativesNatives

156156 11

GC NativesGC Natives 6363 11

OB NativesOB Natives 195195 11

Peconic Peconic ReplantsReplants

16751675 22

Example of seasonal trends in Example of seasonal trends in Gonad Ripeness IndexGonad Ripeness Index

Rankings of gonad ripeness over time (PB)

0%

10%

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100%M

ay

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y 1

7

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n 1

6

Ju

n 3

0

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l 15

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l 30

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g 1

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Week

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rce

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GSB Station A

Inter-annual Variability in Spawning Magnitude

Interannual Seasonal Variability in Spawning Times

Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Date

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LegendY-MeanY-MeanY-Mean

200420052006

GSB Station A

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5/23 6/6 6/20 7/4 7/18 8/1 8/15 8/29

Date

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(C)

2004

Spring-Summer bottom water temperature in GSB

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2005

Spring-Summer bottom water temperature in GSB

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5/23 6/6 6/20 7/4 7/18 8/1 8/15 8/29

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2005

2006

Spring-Summer bottom water temperature in GSB

No

v-04

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LegendY-MeanY-MeanStation AStation J

GSB Station A vs. Station J

Inter-annual Variability / Spatial Variability within GSB

Temporal and Spatial Variability Among Temporal and Spatial Variability Among Estuaries

Ap

r-0

4

Ju

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g-0

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t-0

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LegendY-MeanY-MeanGSB - Site APB - Coecles

Great South Bay vs. Peconic Estuary

0

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6/2/2004 6/22/2004 7/12/2004 8/1/2004 8/21/2004 9/10/2004

Date

Ch

l (u

g/l

)

GSB

PB

Continuous chlorophyll readings from GSB and PB clam restoration sites, 2004

Conclusions from Spawning Evaluation: Conclusions from Spawning Evaluation: Temporal variationTemporal variation

1.1. There is large inter-annual variability in clam condition and There is large inter-annual variability in clam condition and spawning, reflecting variability in environmental factors. spawning, reflecting variability in environmental factors.

2. Environmental conditions in Fall appear to have a major 2. Environmental conditions in Fall appear to have a major influence on condition and spawning the following year.influence on condition and spawning the following year.

3.3. Over the past 3 years, 2006 was the best year for clam Over the past 3 years, 2006 was the best year for clam conditioning, this was correlated with good clam growth conditioning, this was correlated with good clam growth throughout the bay. throughout the bay.

4.4. 2006 was the worst year in Coecles harbor (PB), may be 2006 was the worst year in Coecles harbor (PB), may be associated with a red dinoflagelate bloom in the Fall of 2005 associated with a red dinoflagelate bloom in the Fall of 2005 (Gobler, in press)(Gobler, in press)

Conclusions from Spawning Evaluation: Conclusions from Spawning Evaluation: Spatial variationSpatial variation

1.1. Similar levels of condition and spawning patterns were Similar levels of condition and spawning patterns were observed at 8 sites across CGSB in 2006. (Site J was the observed at 8 sites across CGSB in 2006. (Site J was the poorest)poorest)

2.2. Largest differences were observed between systems Largest differences were observed between systems (i.e. Great South Bay vs. Peconic Estuary vs. Long (i.e. Great South Bay vs. Peconic Estuary vs. Long Island Sound)Island Sound)

3.3. Site differences can vary between years.Site differences can vary between years.

Overall observations from this large-scale Overall observations from this large-scale shellfish restoration projectshellfish restoration project

• Involving many partners is time consuming, but Involving many partners is time consuming, but essential for sustaining momentum and supportessential for sustaining momentum and support

• Try to anticipate and address all the major threats Try to anticipate and address all the major threats impacting the species ecological requirementsimpacting the species ecological requirements

• Monitoring is expensive yet critical for evaluating Monitoring is expensive yet critical for evaluating success and being success and being adaptiveadaptive to unforeseen to unforeseen circumstances (monitor at scale)circumstances (monitor at scale)

• By incorporating a BACI project design you can By incorporating a BACI project design you can interest researchers and pool research and interest researchers and pool research and restoration $ restoration $

• Long-term success requires preventing past threats Long-term success requires preventing past threats from re-occurring. (Could require a philosophical, from re-occurring. (Could require a philosophical, political, and/or environmental shift)political, and/or environmental shift)

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements• Suffolk CountySuffolk County

• NOAA CRPNOAA CRP

• NYS DOSNYS DOS

• NYS DECNYS DEC

• Brookhaven TownBrookhaven Town

• Greenwich Shellfish Greenwich Shellfish CommissionCommission

• Brookhaven Baymen’s Brookhaven Baymen’s AssociationAssociation

• Islip, Babylon, Smithtown Islip, Babylon, Smithtown TownshipsTownships

• FINSFINS

• SSERSSER

•Environmental DefenseEnvironmental Defense

•SUNY Stony BrookSUNY Stony Brook

•Long Island Maritime MuseumLong Island Maritime Museum

•West Sayville Boat BasinWest Sayville Boat Basin

•CCECCE

•A long list of private A long list of private foundations and individuals who foundations and individuals who have contributed to this projecthave contributed to this project

•A dedicated and growing core A dedicated and growing core of Bluepoints volunteersof Bluepoints volunteers