In 2006, environmentalists knew that the outcome of the experiment to release herring in the Bronx River would not be known for several years. The hope was that the baby herring, called “alewife,” would migrate out to the ocean to grow up and then return in a few years as adults to spawn. If the alewife returned, it would be an important sign that the health of the Bronx River was being restored to life-sustaining levels.

Last month, on April 7, students in the Rocking the Boat program spotted the first returning fish — a full-grown, nine-inch alewife — at the 180th Street dam.

Bronx River History
The 23-mile Bronx River meanders through Westchester and into the Bronx. According to historic records, the water was so pure in the early 19th century that NYC officials discussed using it as drinking water. The river's ecosystem supported many species, including alewife, a key part of the marine food chain.

By the end of the 19th century, the Bronx River had been polluted by industrial waste and sewage. Shorefront mill owners had dammed the river, creating barriers that migrating fish could not pass. Matters continued to worsen until the late 20th century, even as community groups tried to protect the waterway. It was only two years ago that several Westchester municipalities agreed to stop dumping sewage into the river.

Efforts by the Bronx River Alliance and Congressman Jose Serrano in recent years have helped to reverse the long decline of the river. Since 2002, Rocking the Boat students have collected data on the river's water quality. By 2006, they knew from the results of their testing that the river might be healthy enough to sustain alewife.

The return of alewife after hundreds of years was cause for great celebration. “Who here woke up saying 'Today I'm going to make history?'” exulted Joshua Santana, a junior at All Hallows High School, at left in the photograph above. “I'm really glad that an alewife has been found,” said Shaquoia Gulley, far right, a junior at Banana Kelly High School. “This means so much for the future of the Bronx River. This shows that it is indeed improving, becoming more healthy and able to support these types of wildlife.”