Stevens experts LIVE! from the Bottom of New York Harbor, Sept. 15

Stevens and The River Project explore the ‘lands underwater’ at Pier 40

HOBOKEN , N.J. — Three maritime science experts from Stevens Institute of Technology joined forces with The River Project, Saturday, Sept.15, 2007, to explore life underwater in New York State’s newest estuarine sanctuary, the ‘lands underwater’ of Hudson River Park.

From 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. , Saturday, Sept. 15, divers filmed live from under The Picnic House, Pier 40 (at Houston Street ), Hudson River Park , and displayed recent footage of how the animals live in the habitats off Manhattan Island .

Professor Alan F. Blumberg, Director of Stevens Institute of Technology’s Center for Maritime Systems, and Professor Michael S. Bruno, Dean of Stevens’ Schaefer School of Engineering & Science, described the conditions in the harbor and narrated live video images captured underwater by Research Engineer Michael Raftery, who dove into the harbor from Pier 40.

Clay Hiles, Executive Director of the Hudson River Foundation, acted as Master of Ceremonies, leading an exploration of the diversity and health of the populations, migrations and mating. The experts also reviewed findings from The River Project and other sponsored research, including data on the return of oysters to the harbor, sounds associated with particular fish species, and data from sensors linked to the Stevens’ NY Harbor Observing and Prediction System (NYHOPS), based in the Center for Maritime Systems. Data from NYHOPS have been featured recently as part of the National Weather Service’s daily marine online forecast. (http://www.stevens.edu/maritimeforecast/)

About The River Project

The River Project is a non-profit field station for marine sciences dedicated to the protection and restoration of wildlife and habitat through research, education and hands-on programs in urban ecology. (www.riverproject.org)