77 



For example, it had been noted years ago that lenses of cold water 

 move shoreward during summer months off the south shore of Long 

 Island. But only very recently has it been recognized that this could 

 have enormous implications for the design of sewage disposal systems 

 for the communities on Long Island. This is just one example of the 

 need to better understand and interpret these oceanic phenomena. 



This spring the NOAA launched a major 5-year prototype project 

 to study the Xew York Bight. This is entitled the "ISIarine Ecosystems 

 Analysis — MESA — New York Bight Program." The objectives of 

 the project are (1) to develop a better understanding of the physical, 

 chemical, and biological properties of bight; (2) to assess the impacts 

 that man is having on the system; and (3) to improve our ability to 

 predict the consequences of man's actions. 



The project will attempt to establish environmental baselines for 

 the bight. It should tell us something about the distribution of fish, 

 shellfish, and bottom organisms. It should establish the basic speed and 

 direction of current movement — a critical mechanism in the transport 

 of pollutants. 



It should tell us something about the patterns of plankton develop- 

 ment and how the bottom sediments are distributed. It should tell us 

 where areas of high wave energy are located that could interfere 

 with shoreline development or construction of offshore structures. 



We will address and hope to answer such questions as the overall 

 source, fate, and effect of certain critical contaminants in the New 

 York Bight. 



For example, how much toxic metal is getting into the bight and 

 from where? We will expect to study the contribution of river inputs 

 to the system. We will address the question of how these metals behave 

 in the system and where they go. 



How much of the total input is transported through the water col- 

 umn and out of the system into the deeper ocean? How much is de- 

 posited in the sediments and at what rate does it move and where? 



And how much is taken up in the biomass? Ultimately, then, we must 

 ask what the effect of these materials is on the ecosystem, and if these 

 quantities are projected to increase over the years, what effect will 

 that have? 



If we can answer such questions, we will have provided information 

 whicli will guide long-range management decisions on the use of the 

 bight. 



INIany NOAA scientists in academic and other institutions supported 

 by NOAA funding will be involved in this study. In addition, many 

 other agencies. Federal. State and local, and research institutions are 

 already involved in studies of the New York Bight in their own right. 



Thesp include, for example, the ,EPA the Corps of Engineers, the 

 New York City Environmental Protection Agency, the New York 

 O^ean S-^iences Laboratory and so on. 



So we are in the process of establishing a coordinating committee. 

 This committee will fulfill, we hope, two basic tasks: It will provide a 

 focus for coordinating ongoing scientific studies. Perhaps even more 

 important, it will serve as a basis for identifying the needs of users 

 for information on the bight. 



The basic purpose of the New York Bight MESA project is to pro- 

 vide understandings which will guide future decisions concerning 



