Public Programs

Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS

Spring 2012 American Eel Survey Project

Gain valuable science research experience outdoors when you join the New York Aquarium and the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation’s Hudson River Estuary Program to study eel migration in local waterways.  

The American eel, Anguilla rostrata, is a migratory fish that begins life in the Atlantic Ocean and travels over 1600 miles to enter brackish and fresh waterways along the North American coast as tiny “glass eels” each spring. After a few years, the adult ore “silver” eels return to the Sargasso Sea in the Atlantic Ocean to reproduce. Right now, the species is in decline over much of its range. 

To ensure their populations survive, we need your help conducting baseline studies as we learn more about eels in our backyard! You'll be helping to survey glass eels using collection devices in Brooklyn waterways close to the aquarium. Once collected, these juvenile fish are counted, weighed, and then released, while we record data about the fish and the environment. 

Participation Requirements

• Volunteers (age 15 and over) must participate in at least two field days (Wednesdays or Saturdays) from 1:00–4:00 p.m. between February 29 and May 26.
• Volunteers must also be available to attend an orientation session prior to their first field day.

Click here to complete the online form telling us more about yourself. NOTE: If you are under the age of 18, you will need to submit a completed Parent/Guardian Release Form.

Questions?

Contact the Volunteer Office at (718) 265-3450 or nyadocent@wcs.org.