UNION COUNTY— Some fish in the Passaic River may get an electroshock today, but it’s in the name of science.
Environmental experts and amateurs will explore a stretch of the river in Union County today to count and catalogue the flora and fauna of the region.
The county’s annual 24-hour Bio-Blitz began at 5 p.m. Friday as an up-close examination of the biodiversity of the Passaic River Parkway.
For instance, scientists will mildly electroshock stretches of the river so fish are temporarily stunned and float to the top, said coordinator and environmental specialist Betty Ann Kelly. The fish will then be scooped up with nets and put in tanks so the people can see what’s really under the water. The fish are later released.
The Passaic River Parkway comprises 298 non-contiguous acres, owned by the county, along the river in Berkeley Heights, New Providence and Summit.
For the past six years, Bio-Blitz has helped the county learn more about its open spaces and the biodiversity within its borders. Experts and laymen are paired to list the different species. The effort is sponsored by Union County, Kean University, the Rahway River Association and PSE&G.
"I think that the public gains a wonderful awareness of the variety and number of species of animals and plants in their backyard," Kelly said Friday afternoon, adding that no animals will be hurt.
Biologist and Kean University ecology professor Daniela Shebitz said she believes participants may find a large number of invasive, or non-native, species, such as the Japanese knotweed — also known as fake bamboo — when they’re out in the field.
Invasives take over more area every year, crowding out other species, threatening biodiversity, she said. This happens everywhere, but it’s a larger problem in urban areas and near rivers. Here, invasive species often come to the Passaic River via the port of Newark, Shebitz said, as ships take on ballast water from across the world and release it here, bringing foreign seeds and larvae to a new habitat.
These new species then multiply unchecked, while the natives suffer from natural predators.
"It’s pretty sad, actually," Shebitz said. "It really affects the entire ecosystem."