Community Corner
Marine Life Tide: Howard Lab Milestone
A NOAA facility, the James Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory on Sandy Hook celebrates 50 years of researching marine recreational species and the conditions of its environment.
Our environmental world is ever-changing. The changes, from the infinite height of the skies to the plunging depth of the seas, are often filtered into our national and international dialogues.
So, when powerful weather systems pass through and sea life is strangely plentiful or frighteningly deficient, there is characteristically much chatter about the world's condition that ensues.
Though it's a universal mission that we often hear about through national media, oversight and tracking of these critical sea life and water changes is occurring right in our back yards and has been for a long time now.
Monitoring changes in the health of our seas and sea life has been the mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory, on Sandy Hook, for fifty years.
On Tuesday, Sept. 20, the laboratory, originally named the Sandy Hook Marine Laboratory when it opened in 1961, celebrated its half-century mark with a full day of events and a full dais of speakers from the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, NOAA and the American Littoral Society (a neighbor and affiliate of the lab on Sandy Hook).
"This foundation has matured into an enduring knowledge base, uniquely positioning the laboratory to address current and emerging environmental issues, in order to promote sustainable fisheries and maintain healthy fish habitats for future generations," Howard Laboratory Director Thomas T. Noji, Ph.D said.
When it was originally dedicated in September of 1961, the facility was the first federal scientific laboratory devoted solely to research on marine recreational species. Research expanded to include studies of ecosystem responses to toxins and other environmental degradation.
The work of the laboratory was interrupted in 1985 when a fire destroyed most equipment, research files and documentation.
At the 1989 groundbreaking ceremony, the new lab was named the James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory after the late James Howard, U.S. Representative of New Jersey's 3rd District, who
led the lab rebuilding effort.
Today the Howard Laboratory houses an extensive sea water system supporting research in 11 sea water labs and a 32,000 gallon aquarium, with a focus on feeding, reproduction, migration and other life habits and behavior of coastal marine species.
Several dedicated laboratory suites are available to support research on ocean acidification, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, benthic taxonomy and microbiology.
In addition, lab research currently also focuses on the effects of climate change and human activities such as fishing and renewable energy production on coastal habitats and fisheries, assessment of fish habitat condition, and coastal and marine spatial planning.
As part of the 50th anniversary event, the laboratory opened its doors and granted tours of the facility.
See the above video to get a glimpse into more of the lab and the important work of its researchers.
