Hope Floats

The struggles of environmentalists — both professionals and those citizens who are propelled into action out of an internal desire to save the planet — must seem daunting at times, given the ever-growing crises surrounding climate change, new species of algae clogging up local bays and waterways, and declining fish and shellfish populations.

But hope floats.

Earlier this month, an international environmental group recognized the hard work of local environmentalists who have, over the past decade, toiled to improve the water quality of Shinnecock Bay.

Mission Blue, a California-based group that advocates for protection of the world’s oceans and marine species, named the bay as one of its “Hope Spots,” for showing signs of recovering from water quality degradation and serving as a fountain of biodiversity.

Pointing specifically to the work of scientists from Stony Brook University, the group called Shinnecock Bay a “hidden gem of biodiversity” and an important breeding ground and nursery for a wide number of marine species.

The Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program, a privately funded effort led by the university in an effort to combat harmful algae blooms and boost shellfish populations, has focused on the 9,000-acre bay for the past decade, and the results have been astounding — the seeding of clams in the western portion of the bay have all but eliminated the “brown tide” and “red tide” annual algae blooms. The shellfish filter the water’s pollutants.

The program is led by marine biologists Dr. Ellen Pikitch, Dr. Christopher Gobler and Dr. Bradley Peterson, who hailed the designation as welcome evidence that their hard work was paying off.

“The Hope Spot distinction for this unique bay on Long Island is the result of meticulous work and proof that the Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program has succeeded in bringing the bay back to the healthier state it was in many decades ago,” said Pikitch, who suggested that Shinnecock was now, most likely, the healthiest bay in New York State. Which is remarkable.

Mission Blue has identified 143 Hope Spots to date, covering more than 57 million square kilometers of ocean. East End residents should take note that, thanks to Stony Brook’s continued interest and investment in the area, the bay is one of them, and has gained the well-deserved attention of the organization — but, more importantly, that the work of its scientists has resulted in a cleaner and more productive waterway.

Hope truly does float on the waters of Shinnecock Bay, proving that hard work and commitment can truly make the world a better place, one bay at a time.