Discovering the Estuary’s Least Visible Aquatic Inhabitants

The CMRC Seining Program

Schedule a seining program at a park with a beach near your school or organization.

Contact the CMRC for location information and scheduling information.

What is Seining?

Seining is the ancient practice of fishing using a large net pulled to shore.

The CMRC conducts seining programs at local parks throughout the region. Programs are available for families, children, adults, groups, young school children, middle and high school students, and teachers. All fish and other organisms are released back to the Estuary.

Participants are amazed by the diversity of aquatic wildlife living right below the surface of the estuary – an estuary surrounded by one of the most densely populated regions of the country.  Recent catch include the northern pipefish, relative of the seahorse; puffer fish; blue crabs and lady crabs; flounder; striped bass, goby, and many others.

During each program, the CMRC’s wildlife biologists provide insights about the habits and life cycles of the catch.  For example, many do not know that seahorses and northern pipe fish males carry eggs after fertilization or that sea robins are named for their underwater
chirping.

Programs can be customized to offer a variety of stimulating activities including beachcombing for intertidal inhabitants, and exploring the connections between humans and the environment by studying chemical, physical and biological parameters.

All of our programs can be customized to suit a variety of age ranges, abilities and educational goals. 

Contact the CMRC for more information and to schedule a program.