The purpose of this page is to:
1) Increase awareness of ordinary activities that can actually degrade water quality and fish habitat
2) Provide various suggestions that people can follow to help improve water quality, fish habitat and the environment
3) Provide links to other web sites with similar information.

We hope to update this page on a frequent basis as we find new information about the environment and how to improve water quality and fish habitats. This is the first version of this page and it was last updated on September 27, 2008.

Please feel free to send us any related web site links or suggestions that you may know of that fit this strategy.  

You can send us an email with your suggestion(s) to VHFCreports@verizon.net or VHFCInfo@aol.com .

Fertilizers
Fertilizers primarily contains nitrogen. When excess nitrogen reaches the bay it causes algae blooms, which in turn cause several problems including reduced oxygen levels (also known as eutrification). This happens most frequently in the Spring, but can happen any time there are heavy rains after fertilization occurs. In order to minimize the risk of fertilizer run off, apply fertilizers sparingly and do not fertilize before heavy rains are expected. Also, try to find and use organic fertilizers.

Car wash
Many car washes recycle the water they use. If you are not sure if they do, just ask. If you wash your own car, do so on the lawn or on stones. Try to avoid washing your car in the street, where the soap and water will run off into the storm drains and into the watershed.

Toxic chemicals
If you must, please use toxic chemicals carefully and sparingly. Also, please dispose of unused toxic chemicals properly. Most counties have recycling centers where residents can drop off toxic chemicals for proper disposal.

Pesticides
Many pesticides will kill the tiny creatures that make up the button of the marine food chain, if they reach bays and estuaries. If we lose the foundation of life due to pesticides, the predatory fisheries will also suffer as a result. Again, if you must, use pesticides carefully and sparingly. Look for organic alternatives.

Cleaning products
Many cleaning products are also toxic chemicals. Many household product companies are now developing and selling organic alternatives to chemical cleaners. Please seek these products for your cleaning needs.

Pet Waste
Many people love their pets, and love to walk their pets along the street. Please remember to pick up your pet's waste. If you don't, it will eventually run off into the storm drains and into the waterways.

Pump-out
Pump-out facilities are available boats with toilets on board. If you have a toilet on your boat, please utilize one of these facilities.

Pharmaceuticals
Pharmaceuticals in our water systems is a much larger problem than many people realize. Recent studies have linked gender imbalance in fish to pharmaceuticals in the water system. Fish with both male and female organs have also been found. Messing with the reproductive systems of our game fish will eventually have an impact on their populations. Some researchers believe this may already have a significant impact on the winter flounder population.

Recycle, Reuse, Conserve
We have all heard this phrase countless times. Please recycle bottles, cans, plastic bags, newspapers, and motor oil. Composting organic materials also helps...

Plastic
As we all know, plastic can take hundreds to thousands of years to break down. This is not good for the creatures of this earth. The various forms of plastic we have created for human conveniences have killed many fish and sea mammals that are especially threatened by plastic bags in the water. They eat the bags, which get stuck in their digestive system. Eating a plastic bag is usually fatal for the animal that makes that mistake. Please take advantage of the many supermarkets that are now providing recycling bins for plastic bags.

Links to other web sites with helpful information to protect our environment and waterways:

Save Barnegat Bay

Barnegat Bay Estuary Program

ReClam the Bay

Rutgers Cooperative Extension

American Littoral Society

NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife