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Open Call: Assessing Sturgeon-Vessel Interactions

Photo Credit: Laura Logozzo

The Sturgeon Net Conservation Benefit (SNCB) Program

The Hudson River Foundation in collaboration with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) is developing and implementing a series of research projects to advance understanding of sturgeon movements and use of habitats and migration pathways in NY Harbor and the Hudson River. Collectively, these research projects will fill information and knowledge gaps and support the development of conservation measures designed to protect critical sturgeon habitat areas and reduce the risk of vessel strikes to sturgeon.

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Request for Proposals: Assessing and Mitigating Vessel Strike Risk to Sturgeon in the New York Harbor

This grant opportunity is no longer accepting applications.

The Hudson River Foundation and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) are requesting letters of intent (LOIs) from research teams interested in submitting research proposals to assess vessel collision risk to sturgeon (family: Acipenseridae) in the New York Harbor.
The National Marine Fisheries Service concluded that vessel strikes are a primary threat to the New York Bight distinct population segment (Atlantic sturgeon), and NYSDEC reported that at least 20 dead Atlantic sturgeon with vessel strike injuries were found in the Hudson River in 2024. To date, research to assess the nature and extent of sturgeon-ship collisions has been limited and no sturgeon-specific measures to mitigate the risks of vessel strikes have been implemented.
The project will advance understanding of sturgeon movement through the NY Habor and assess the potential for interaction between sturgeons and vessels. Research teams are expected to analyze sturgeon movements, vessel characteristics, vessel traffic patterns, and sturgeon/vessel interactions to inform the development of potential conservation measures to reduce the risks to sturgeon from vessel strikes.
Proposal Timeline
  • September 15, 2025: RFP Release Date
  • October 29, 2025: LETTER OF Interest DUE BY 5pm Eastern Time
  • November 2025: Invitation to submit full proposal
  • January 21, 2026: FULL PROPOSAL DUE BY 5pm Eastern Time
  • March 2026: Announcement of award
Application Materials
Questions?