It is estimated that nearly 7%, or 3,000 acres, of bay island landmass in Ocean County and Atlantic County waters has been lost since 1977, and that should be a concern. The bay islands, though, are often overlooked, according to a group called the New Jersey Bay Islands Initiative, which is now placing a spotlight on these important coastal features, including those off Long Beach Island.

A couple years back, Long Beach Township and Harvey Cedars joined with a number of partners – including the U.S.