‘State of the Bays 2026: No Time to Waste’ at Stony Brook Southampton April 24

Stony Brook University Professor Christopher Gobler previewed his annual 'State of the Bays' address at a press conference April 21 in Riverhead. Photos by John Griffin.

Stony Brook University SUNY Distinguished Professor Christopher Gobler will deliver the annual State of the Bays Symposium on Friday, April 24, with a look at what is happening in our local waters and what we can do about it.

Gobler, the Endowed Chair of Coastal Ecology and Conservation at Stony Brook University's School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and director of the New York State Center for Clean Water Technology, will present this year's symposium, "No Time to Waste," at Stony Brook Southampton's Avram Theater at 7 pm.

Held by the Gobler Lab of Stony Brook University, the symposium brings together leading scientists, local leaders, and community members to better understand the health of our coastal waters. It will highlight recent water quality and public health threats in coastal waters while also identifying innovative solutions to these complex problems.

Gobler will discuss the history of the degradation of Long Island's natural waters, stemming from anthropogenic sources like onsite wastewater and nitrogen-based fertilizers. He will describe how marine habitats and wildlife have been affected by these pollutants, leading to Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) and the emergence of a flesh-eating bacteria. Gobler's report will elaborate on the exacerbation of these effects in the face of inaction.

According to Gobler, Long Island has become a hub for novel solutions to mitigate water quality impairment and climate change. As part of an array of solutions, he will describe 'in the water' remediation approaches, involving seaweeds and bivalves, which locally ameliorate nitrogen loads, algal blooms, and ocean acidification, and recent shellfish restoration efforts that have led to estuarine ecosystem recovery. Novel methods to mitigate HABs will also be presented.

At a media briefing on April 21 at Peconic Riverfront Park in Riverhead, Gobler previewed findings from the symposium, noting that there are incredibly pressing problems when it comes to water quality on Long Island.

"At the same time, we have some incredible opportunities to address those problems," Gobler said. "I'd say in a way that's unprecedented in the history of Long Island."

From left: Stony Brook University Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Executive Director of Stony Brook Southampton Wendy Pearson; Jennifer A. Juengst, Michael Doall, Christopher Gobler and Stony Brook undergraduate student Kailyn Penney of Coram.

Gobler was joined by Suffolk County Deputy County Executive Jennifer A. Juengst and Michael Doall, associate director for shellfish restoration and aquaculture at Stony Brook University. Together, they discussed how factors such as nitrogen pollution and wastewater influence local bays and drinking water, as well as the progress being made through restoration and innovation. Gobler pointed to approaches such as shellfish restoration and seaweed-based remediation as effective strategies already delivering measurable results.

The State of the Bays event is open to the public; no scientific background is needed, just an interest in protecting the waters that define the region. Registration is required in advance and spots are limited. Register online now.