Sept. 28 - Research Takes Students on Jersey Estuaries

Rider junior Harmony Liff of East Montpelier, VT, and sophomore Amber Andyshak of Northern Cambria, PA, ventured into new terrain this summer.

Leaving the Rutgers University Marine Field Station in Tuckerton each morning at 7:30 a.m., the marine science majors began their quest for blue and green crabs -- the core organisms of their research projects. They are under the guidance of Dr. Paul Jivoff, assistant professor of biology at Rider. Donning rain gear with rubber boots, both set sail during the mornings in a 16-foot skiff named Ursula.

Liff and Andyshak took turns driving along the Great Bay and Little Egg Harbor estuaries and occasionally up the Mullica River.

"Harmony and I wore rain gear to not only combat mud but the green head flies," said Andyshak. "Their bites hurt worse than bee stings. Bug spray does not work on those flies."

Mornings were spent loading the boat with supplies. During the day, the duo checked crab traps and took data on all crabs they caught. They also tethered and caged crabs in the field. Both also examined surrounding water characteristics such as depth, dissolved oxygen levels, salinity and temperature. Depending on tide levels, their boating time lasted anywhere from six to 10 hours each day.

"Our research will help shed light on how commercial crab fishing affects the population structure and reproduction of blue crabs," said Liff. "This will help determine if fishing standards need to be looked at more closely, and possibly raised."

According to Jivoff, Liff is helping to test the hypothesis that heavy blue crab fishing negatively influences blue crab reproduction while Andyshak is helping to test the hypothesis that blue crabs regulate the southern range expansion of the invasive green crab. "Developing solid hands-on research skills is an essential part of their educational experience here at Rider," said Jivoff.

For the month of June, Jivoff trained Andyshak and Liff how to drive the boat and how to identify, test and process the crabs. In addition, both students passed a boating safety course presented by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

"Each one had a specific project to do yet they helped each other out along the way," added Jivoff. "Lifting heavy crab traps is difficult. Needless to say, driving a boat is not like driving a car. After the first week, I let them go out on their own. They called me when they needed me. For first-time boat drivers, they were incredibly independent."

Everything fit right into place for Andyshak, who wishes to pursue a doctorate in marine biology. "Dr. Jivoff and my other professors have always encouraged me to apply what I've learned in the classroom to my daily life and the world around me," she said.

Andyshak would like to one day conduct research on sharks. "I have always been fascinated with the ocean," she said. "I find it fascinating that in the middle of the freezing, dark ocean, there are areas teeming with life."

Liff concurs. For as long as she can remember, she has read books or watched shows about marine organisms and famous biologists. Although marine biology is a passion for her, so is dance. At Rider, she is majoring in both, taking dance classes at the Princeton Ballet School.

"I am receiving the best possible education here," said Liff. "My courses have been challenging and my professors are very personable. This makes Rider an environment conducive to better learning."