New display, live cam helps shed light on plight of eels

Thanks to a partnership between the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, the Susquehanna River Basin Commission, Montour Area Recreation Commission and Fessler IT Consulting, the Montour Preserve in Montour County is a new hosting sight for live juvenile eels (elvers) for educational purposes for families and individuals that visit the educational center.

The display includes a three-panel overview on the important ecological benefits of the species in how it helps transport freshwater mussels across the basin, a history of eels in the Susquehanna River watershed, how native individuals used to catch eels in weir structures that can still be seen today and a wide variety of info on their life cycle and unique facts.

Also, the tank includes a specialized underwater live-streaming camera thanks to help from Fessler IT Consulting so people can observe the eels 24/7 from any browser.

“This whole project is so cool and highlights the power of partnerships we have been mindfully building with the Vernal School effort,” said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky. “Not only does the in-person display and live feed camera connect people with an important species once plentiful in our river basin, but it also gives everyone the chance to study these creatures 24/7 plus helps further the discussion of how we can rejuvenate the migration that has been cut off due to dam structures along the Susquehanna.”

The Montour Preserve, located in Montour County, is the newest addition to the Susquehanna River Basin Commission’s (SRBC) “Eels in the Classroom” initiative thanks to a collaboration with the Montour Area Recreation Commission (MARC), Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association (MSRKA) and Fessler IT Consulting all through the Vernal School Environmental Education Partnership.

“We’re thrilled to have the Vernal School partner with our Eels in the Classroom (EIC) program that has educated tens of thousands of students on the importance of the American Eel in our ecosystems” said SRBC Fisheries Biologist and EIC creator Aaron Henning. “The display at the preserve is an excellent way of spreading the word to both children and adults about the eel population restoration successes we are beginning to see throughout our basin.”

The eels were delivered on Monday, May 20, and are in a 30-gallon tank in the hallway as you enter the educational center just outside the auditorium. The display includes three large educational panels that offer information about the historical and ecological impacts of the eel in our river basin and how the Eels in the Classroom program is helping to offer important awareness.

“Eels were once plentiful in our river to a point where we can still see the weir systems once used to catch them in large numbers, but dams on the river have disrupted their migratory life cycle. Programs like this are helping flip the script, raise awareness and hopefully will trigger positive change,” said Zaktansky. “It is exciting to offer this at the Montour Preserve so that families and people of all ages can engage with this process together much like students in more traditional classrooms have over the past couple of years.”

In addition, this site has incorporated an underwater livestream thanks to technological assistance from Fessler IT Consulting’s Doug Fessler. The Eel Cam is available 24/7 for people to check out the four juvenile eels, called elvers, in the comfort of their own home.

“I’m honored to have helped set up the eel tank at the Montour Preserve, a project that merges information technology with environmental science. It was a privilege for me to offer my skills to get the technology up and running, we now have a live stream camera that allows us to educate the public about the importance of these fascinating creatures and our watershed,” Fessler said. ​​”At one time, the Susquehanna River was thriving with eels, and by raising awareness about water quality and the river, we hope to inspire greater stewardship of Pennsylvania’s natural resources.”

The livestream feed, as well as an online version of the educational display, photos of the eel display being created and the eels being dropped off and important links to the SRBC eels brochure and ways for people to report eel sightings in our watershed is all available at a new page at the Vernal School website vernalschool.org/the-eels.html.

“This project is another example of the bigger benefits of our Vernal School partnership effort at the Montour Preserve,” said Zaktansky. “Bringing together resources and successful programming from the SRBC, the skills and talents of local individuals and businesses like Fessler IT Consulting and merging them with the ongoing efforts to improve the Montour Preserve by MARC and critical river-based education and advocacy by our Riverkeeper association, we now have this cool new display that will hopefully educate and enhance the experience of those who visit the preserve.

“There is much more yet to come and we are excited to bring in new partners and continue to creatively connect people to nature, strengthen the future of the Montour Preserve and inspire the next generation of stewards.”

Floating Classroom season

kicks off Tuesday, June 11

The popular Floating Classroom program aboard the Hiawatha Paddleboat near Williamsport will kick off Tuesday, June 11, with a cruise theme of “Snails on the Susquehanna” — with an overview look at snail species in our watershed and a deeper dive into the invasive New Zealand mud snails.

A wide variety of other themes and presenters are scheduled throughout the rest of the summer.

About Middle Susquehanna

Riverkeeper Association

John Zaktansky said the association’s mission is to protect and promote the health and vibrancy of the Susquehanna River, its tributaries and the creatures that depend on its aquatic ecosystem across 11,000 square miles of watershed.

People can learn more about their work at MiddleSusquehannaRiverkeeper.org.

“We have hundreds of blog posts, including investigative stories into important river pollutants and more than 90 podcast episodes with all sorts of people with a shared passion for the Susquehanna,” Zaktansky said.

They can contact him directly at midsusriver@gmail.com or 570-768-6300, including to report pollution concerns and to find out more about programming.

The group also helped kick off the Vernal School Environmental Education Partnership as a way to reinvigorate programming at and resources for the Montour Preserve. Info about that initiative can be found at VernalSchool.org.

Lastly, the association is seeking people across the watershed, but especially in the North Branch region to help expand their efforts. Those interested in getting involved are encouraged to fill out the Susquehanna Survey at https://forms.gle/WWaRKFQqbGCwh2fX6

PFBC: New state record

White Perch is recorded

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) this week announced that it has certified a new state record White Perch.

On the morning of Sunday, April 14, 2024, angler Christopher Barrett, 19, and his father, Craig, both of Mohnton, Berks County, departed from Ridley Township Municipal Marina in Delaware County on a 20-foot center console fishing boat.

After navigating Darby Creek, the pair entered the Delaware River and began fishing just below the Commodore Barry Bridge, near Chester.

Christopher and his father were using heavy duty spinning rods fitted with fish finder rigs and circle hooks baited with bloodworms to target Striped Bass and catfish, but they were also catching White Perch.

At around 11 a.m., Barrett reeled in a particularly large perch that caught the attention of both anglers.

“We usually keep a few perch to eat, and when I went to put that one in the cooler, we both said that’s got to be the biggest White Perch we’ve ever seen,” said Barrett. “When we got back to the dock, my dad looked up the state record for Pennsylvania, which was under two pounds. We weighed the fish on our own scale, and it was 2 pounds, 3 ounces. So, we started to get really excited at that point.”

The following morning, Barrett contacted the PFBC’s Southeast Region Office, and Waterways Conservation Officer Derek Norman arranged to meet the angler at the Bowmansville Post Office where a certified scale was located.

With the WCO present, the White Perch officially tipped the scales at 2 pounds, 1 ounce, exceeding the previous state record, also caught in the Delaware River in 2008, by five ounces.

While only weight is considered for state record certification in Pennsylvania, the fish measured 14.125 inches long with a girth of 12.25 inches. An inspection of the fish was also conducted, including an examination of the contents of its stomach, which appeared normal for a large female White Perch.

“It was a large fish to begin with and it was full of eggs, which made it even heavier,” said Barrett. “We’re pretty good at catching perch, so I guess it was a little bit of skill and luck combined with good timing to catch that fish at just the right time.”

In addition to recording the certified weight and the in-person inspection by WCO Norman, Barrett completed a state record fish application which included color photographs and detailed information about the catch, which was reviewed by the PFBC Division of Fisheries Management and confirmed.

“I’m so grateful for this record, but even more excited that I got to share this experience with my dad,” said Barrett. “We go fishing all the time together and it’s our favorite thing in the world to do. We’ll never forget this.”

Barrett said following the certification of the new state record White Perch, he planned to give the fish to a taxidermist to preserve the memory of the catch.

Anglers who are pursuing a state record, or think they have caught a state record fish, should follow these guidelines:

• Obtain a copy of the Pennsylvania State Record Fish Application, which is available online.

• Comply with all rules, including having the fish weighed on a scale that is certified by the state or county. Stores that sell products by weight are required to have a certified scale. Locations such as feed mills or agriculture stores often have scales capable of weighing large fish.

• Fish may only be released after PFBC staff have examined the fish and approved the application.

• The completed form, including color photographs, must be notarized and sent to the PFBC.

• The PFBC will review the application upon receipt.

• The PFBC reserves the right to further investigate the methods used in catching a fish and the accuracy of weight and measurements.

• The PFBC reserves the right to reject any application.

Anglers catching a new state record fish will receive a certificate from the PFBC and be listed on the PFBC website.

A list of current Pennsylvania State Record Fish, official rules and application can be found at fishandboat.com.