Fishing in the Big City
When you think about summer in New York City, what comes to mind? Maybe you think of skyscraping buildings, Broadway shows, taxis, subways, hot dogs, or pizza? For me, I can summarize my thoughts about the summer season in the Big Apple as one phrase: Big City Fishing.ย ย
Fishing is not the most common association with the city that never sleeps, but working with Hudson River Park Trust’s (HRPT) River Project team has taught me that being uncommon is quite special. This summer, I watched firsthand as residents and tourists of New York opened their minds to see what the city had to offer beneath its surface. After my first summer working as the FAO Schwarz Fellow at the River Project, I learned the importance of making a Fish Wishโข and the importance of looking in unusual spaces to create social change.
The more I learned, the more I could share with each passerby, and this allowed me to witness blossoming relationships to the natural world firsthand.
Big Cityโฆ Fishing?ย
For three days of the week during our peak summer season, the Park opens catch and release fishing workshops, Big City Fishing (BCF), and training for all ages along our piers. I, alongside my team, taught fishing demonstrations and utilized any fish caught as opportunities to educate the public about fish anatomy and Hudson River ecology. Passersby were often surprised by the ability to fish in one of the busiest urban environments in the country, the outward image of which is not easily connected to exploring the natural world. Every time a lucky angler pulled a fish out of the water, a crowd would form eager to get a closer look. Watching faces morph between shock to joy or wonder was the only motivator needed to keep working through the summer humidity. People who arrived with no idea what activity we were leading were walking away with new fish fun-facts and smiles on their faces.ย
One of the first lessons I learned this summer was that the unexpected was rarely a hindrance at Hudson River Park. Whether that be an eel caught at BCF too slimy to unhook, or more people showing up to participate than fishing rods available, served as amazing opportunities to educate a larger audience on the vital and vibrant ecosystem right below their feet. A main goal of the Park is to โpromote environmental stewardship and enhance the Parkโs Estuarine Sanctuary through public education, research and habitat enhancement.โ
Fish Wishโข
The tenets of running a successful BCF program vary greatly. My favorite tenet best demonstrates the attitude the Park has towards outdoor education in an urban environment. Before each angler is given a fishing rod, they are told to make a Fish Wish. A Fish Wish is described by Senior Research Manager Siddhartha Hayes as, โA collaborative statement of intent and a form of manifestation that seeks to increase the productivity of fish collection gear by harnessing the will power of fellow scientists, educators, and community members.โ In short, a Fish Wish is a moment dedicated to asking the universe for what anglers want to hook on their line the most. This is an opportunity for park patrons to think more about what is happening in the Hudson River.ย
One of the more challenging aspects of BCF was supporting park patrons who did not catch a fish, even if they had been there for multiple hours. Fishing is an unpredictable activity, and catching a fish is never guaranteed, regardless of a Fish Wish. During these moments I connected with a quote by a favorite author of mine, Henry David Thoreau. Heโs credited with saying, โThey lay so much stress on the fish which they catch or fail to catch, and on nothing else, as if there were nothing else to be caught.โ Thoreau highlights that there is much more to take away from nature than a fish; patrons are often left with more.ย
Caught and Released
Arguably, the most important lesson learned at BCF is that all fish get released. Many of the individuals who fish question why they cannot bring their catch home. In response, my team often explained the delicate balance that exists within the Riverโs ecosystem and shared the history of the River to help guests understand why we utilize this method: ensuring viable fish populations, creating space for future anglers, and celebrating a part of New Yorkโs recreational history.ย
Our most caught fish this summer were: juvenile bluefish, juvenile black sea bass, and spot. Each time one was pulled out of the water, peopleโs joy was palpable. Young children and adults were all making new positive associations with the River and learning that the cityโs natural environments had much more to offer. Every new catch served as a moment to educate the public on the estuaryโs wildlife and connect them to their local ecosystems.
Underneath the Surfaceย
Upon reflection, hosting BCF workshops was fun and informative for myself and Park visitors. Learning and teaching others about the vibrant wildlife in the River demonstrated the uniqueness of New York City waterways. The more I learned, the more I could share with each passerby, and this allowed me to witness blossoming relationships to the natural world firsthand. I, like many visitors, was astonished to learn all that the Hudson River and HRPT had to offer. As I progress as an FAO Schwarz Fellow at HRPT, I hope to continue to witness the social impact the River makes on its community and the environmental impact the community makes on the River.ย
Jenevieve Joseph
Jenevieve (she/her) is the FAO Schwarz Fellow at Hudson River Park's River Project in New York City.
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