The objective of The Seal Census Project is to understand the factors that attract seals to the Norwalk Islands, what they're eating, their numbers and patterns of migration, their preferred locations, their behavioral responses to tides and weather, and their local movements. The program includes both an on-site and a distance learning component. The on-site component involves a limited number of individual teachers each supporting three students who participate directly in the research.

The distance learning program, which will be delivered to the classroom via I-NET or internet, engages the class in the essential questions by providing real-time video and two-way audio. This classroom experience will be supplemented by a Treasure Chest of activities and curriculum loaned to the school.
Visit the Seal Census website for more information on this project.

By understanding the population dynamics of this species we will be better able to manage their harvest and prevent their extinction.  The horseshoe crab population ecology investigation is currently being supported by a grant from the Long Island Sound License Plate Program, managed by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and Sacred Heart University. Other participants include, Project Oceanology, SoundWaters, Bridgeport Aquaculture School, the Peabody Museum and the Connecticut Audubon Coastal Center. To participate in this study, contact Dr. Mattei at 203-365-7577 or matteij@sacredheart.edu

2008 Horseshoe Crab Tagging Program

May 20 – full moon, lt's @ 6:35 AM & 6:37 PM
Sunrise 5:31 AM            Sunset 8:10 PM       

June 3 – new moon, lt's @ 5:40 AM & 5:45 PM
Sunrise 5:22 AM            Sunset 8:22 PM       

June 18 – full moon, lt's @ 6:49 AM & 6:54 PM
Sunrise 5:21 AM            Sunset 8:29 PM  

Tagging can usually start 2 hours before and extend to 2 hours after low tide.  For those accompanying the TMA staff, we will meet about 4:45 AM to do tagging at Calf Pasture beach.  We usually need to park outside the park and walk in the main entrance.  Gear to the right, follow the road and gather at the Shea monument at the Coast Guard Auxillary/sailing school area at the southwest corner of the park.

Each participant should bring the following:

• Food and water – bring your own please.
• good headlamp or flash light(s) with broad dim light
• pencils
• insect repellent, (midges and mosquitoes are common in most places at these times).
• Waders, hip boots or knee boots, sturdy walking shoes or clothing that can get wet and are appropriate for the weather. 

Some find gardening/flooring knee pads a blessing and a sturdy bucket (6 gal. wine or sheet rock compound) great to sit on.

Training for this activity can be done on location, or prior to the activity.  There will be two training sessions at the Maritime Aquarium for those who wish to attend on Wednesday, May 14 and again on Saturday, May 17 from 7 to 9 PM.  The training will include information on natural history as well as how to tag.

Norwalk River Water Quality: A joint effort with UConn to measure water quality in Long Island Sound.

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk joins in partnership with the University of Connecticut and other organizations to monitor the State of Long Island Sound's water quality. The water quality monitoring sensor, located in the Norwalk River at the dock at the Maritime Aquarium provides near-realtime data, updated live every five minutes, including water temperature, salinity (from conductivity) and dissolved oxygen.