tidal marsh
A tidal marsh (also known as a type of "tidal wetland") is a marsh found along rivers, coasts and estuaries which floods and drains by the tidal movement of the adjacent estuary, sea or ocean. Tidal marshes are commonly zoned into lower marshes ( ...
es that have been dramatically transformed by the development of port facilities.
The estuary itself supports a great variety of thriving
estuarine
An estuary is a partially enclosed coastal body of brackish water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. Estuaries form a transition zone between river environments and maritime environmen ...
aquatic species; contrary to popular stereotypes, New York Harbor and its adjacent, interdependent waters are very much alive, and steadily recovering from pollution; ecologically it is true that these waters were once dead or extremely toxic but after 45 years of cleaning the estuary is in a much better state than it has been in a hundred years.
Tidal flow
Tidal is the adjectival form of tide.
Tidal may also refer to:
* ''Tidal'' (album), a 1996 album by Fiona Apple
* Tidal (king), a king involved in the Battle of the Vale of Siddim
* TidalCycles, a live coding environment for music
* Tidal (servic ...
occurs as far north as
Troy
Troy ( el, Τροία and Latin: Troia, Hittite: 𒋫𒊒𒄿𒊭 ''Truwiša'') or Ilion ( el, Ίλιον and Latin: Ilium, Hittite: 𒃾𒇻𒊭 ''Wiluša'') was an ancient city located at Hisarlik in present-day Turkey, south-west of Ç ...
, over 150 miles away. The salt front (dilute salt water) can reach Poughkeepsie in drought conditions and is present in the lower reaches of the
Raritan River
Raritan River is a major river of New Jersey. Its watershed drains much of the mountainous area of the central part of the state, emptying into the Raritan Bay on the Atlantic Ocean.
History
Geologists assert that the lower Raritan provided t ...
for most of the year.Hudson Estuary Basics Dept. of Environmental Conservation, NY State.
Animal species
Arthropods
*
American lobster
The American lobster (''Homarus americanus'') is a species of lobster found on the Atlantic coast of North America, chiefly from Labrador to New Jersey. It is also known as Atlantic lobster, Canadian lobster, true lobster, northern lobster, Can ...
(''Homarus americanus'') -
Massachusetts Bay
Massachusetts Bay is a bay on the Gulf of Maine that forms part of the central coastline of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Description
The bay extends from Cape Ann on the north to Plymouth Harbor on the south, a distance of about . Its ...
is not the only home of the lobster on the East Coast. Usually found south of the Verrazano Bridge, near the Southwestern end of
Long Island
Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United States and the 18 ...
and just off
Sandy Hook
Sandy Hook is a barrier spit in Middletown Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States.
The barrier spit, approximately in length and varying from wide, is located at the north end of the Jersey Shore. It encloses the southern ...
. Often attracted to
artificial reef
An artificial reef is a human-created underwater structure, typically built to promote marine life in areas with a generally featureless bottom, to control erosion, block ship passage, block the use of trawling nets, or improve surfing.
Many ...
s found near Lower New York Bay, where they can reach very large sizes, and just offshore near
Ocean County, New Jersey
Ocean County is a county located along the Jersey Shore in the south-central portion of the U.S. state of New Jersey. It borders the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Its county seat is Toms River.Atlantic rock crab (''Cancer irroratus'') - A common crab found on the continental shelf within ten miles of shoreline. Found in all parts of the estuary. There is some concern over it competing with the invasive European green crab for habitat, but it is believed that the presence of ''Callinectes'' genera in the bight may offer some refuge as it has been shown that the swimmer crabs of this genus like to prey upon the smaller green crab.
* Blue crab (''Callinectes sapidus'') - Also known as the ''blue claw crab''. The crabs are typically found in the mouth of the
Hudson River
The Hudson River is a river that flows from north to south primarily through eastern New York. It originates in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York and flows southward through the Hudson Valley to the New York Harbor between Ne ...
and occasionally wander into the brackish waters of small rivers and coves that pepper the western side of
Long Island
Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United States and the 18 ...
, including the waters just off
Coney Island
Coney Island is a peninsular neighborhood and entertainment area in the southwestern section of the New York City borough of Brooklyn. The neighborhood is bounded by Brighton Beach and Manhattan Beach, Brooklyn, Manhattan Beach to its east, L ...
. Up the Hudson they are found occasionally in the part of the river that runs through the lower Hudson Valley in the summertime. Up until the 1960s they could be eaten, but the State of New York currently recommends against attempting to do so on a regular basis, due to
bioaccumulation
Bioaccumulation is the gradual accumulation of substances, such as pesticides or other chemicals, in an organism. Bioaccumulation occurs when an organism absorbs a substance at a rate faster than that at which the substance is lost or eliminated ...
cadmium
Cadmium is a chemical element with the Symbol (chemistry), symbol Cd and atomic number 48. This soft, silvery-white metal is chemically similar to the two other stable metals in group 12 element, group 12, zinc and mercury (element), mercury. Li ...
that were discovered in the crabs in the 1970s. On the upside, a lack of hunting by man has caused this crab's numbers to grow heartily while others (
Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay ( ) is the largest estuary in the United States. The Bay is located in the Mid-Atlantic region and is primarily separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Delmarva Peninsula (including the parts: the Eastern Shore of Maryland / ...
) have decreased. Females bearing eggs should be let go immediately because if they are not it affects the next generation.
* Ghost crab (''Ocypode quadrata'') - Common sight after twilight scurrying along the beaches of western
Long Island
Long Island is a densely populated island in the southeastern region of the U.S. state of New York, part of the New York metropolitan area. With over 8 million people, Long Island is the most populous island in the United States and the 18 ...
and the planktonic larvae is found all throughout the estuary.
* Atlantic horseshoe crab (''Limulus polyphemus'') - A common visitor to Breezy Point, Rockaways, and Coney Island. Numbers in peril but not yet a candidate as an endangered species. The New York Horseshoe Crab Monitoring Network conducts a
citizen science
Citizen science (CS) (similar to community science, crowd science, crowd-sourced science, civic science, participatory monitoring, or volunteer monitoring) is scientific research conducted with participation from the public (who are sometimes r ...
annual census at different sites.
*
Lady crab
''Ovalipes ocellatus'', known as the lady crab, is a species of crab from eastern North America. Other names for it include the leopard crab or Atlantic leopard crab due to the leopard-like rosette patterns on its shell, the calico crab (not to b ...
(''Ovalipes ocellatus'')
* Portly spider crab (''Libinia emarginata'') A species of decorator crab. Like most spider crab It is edible though rarely in the USA on account of appearance.
*
Ivory barnacle
''Amphibalanus eburneus'', the ivory barnacle or American acorn barnacle, is a species of acorn barnacle in the family Balanidae. It occurs on the east coast of North America, the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Description
The ivory barnacle ...
(''Amphibalanus eburneus'')
*
Northern rock barnacle
''Semibalanus balanoides'' (common barnacle, common rock barnacle, northern rock barnacle) is a common and widespread Boreal ecosystem, boreo-arctic species of acorn barnacle. It is common on rocks and other substrates in the intertidal zone of N ...
(''Semibalanus balanoides'')
* Asian shore crab (''Hemigraspus sanguineus'') An invasive alien species that is a favorite food of seagulls and other shorebirds in the area.
* Common Spider Crab (''Libinia emarginata'')
* Green Crab (''Carcinus maenus'') This species is an invasive species originally from Europe that has been present in all waters of the
State of New York
New York, officially the State of New York, is a state in the Northeastern United States. It is often called New York State to distinguish it from its largest city, New York City. With a total area of , New York is the 27th-largest U.S. state ...
for many decades. It is a swimmer crab that is present in most parts of the harbor and is easily distinguished from the blue crab by being much smaller and a dull green color.
* Black fingered mud crab (''Panopeus herbstii'')
*Gammarid Amphipod (''Family Gammaridae'')
*Corophid amphipod (''Family Corophiidae'')
*Skeleton Shrimp ('Family
Caprellida
Caprellidira is a parvorder of marine crustaceans of the infraorder Corophiida. The group includes skeleton shrimps (Caprellidae) and whale lice (Cyamidae).
Fifteen families are currently recognised in the group. They are grouped into seven sup ...
Although not aquatic animals, these birds are supported by the food and habitat the harbor provides, particularly
Jamaica Bay
Jamaica Bay is an estuary on the southern portion of the western tip of Long Island, in the U.S. state of New York. The estuary is partially man-made, and partially natural. The bay connects with Lower New York Bay to the west, through Rockaw ...
and the Pelham Islands. Many of these birds will fly within sight of the Manhattan skyline and the estuary is a very important point for the East Coast because of its location: it is dead center in the Atlantic Flyway and many raptors and waterfowl use this spot as a rest area along their journey from New England and Canada in fall before heading further south to the Southern States and the Caribbean, reversing the journey in late March and early April.
*
American herring gull
The American herring gull or Smithsonian gull (''Larus smithsonianus'' or ''Larus argentatus smithsonianus'') is a large gull that breeds in North America, where it is treated by the American Ornithological Society as a subspecies of herring ...
(''Larus smithsonianus'') A common sight that is present almost year round. Some will nest on the many tall buildings afforded in all five boroughs, none of which is more than a few miles from the water.
* American oystercatcher (''Haematopus pallatius'')
*
American wigeon
The American wigeon (''Mareca americana''), also known as the baldpate, is a species of dabbling duck found in North America. Formerly assigned to ''Anas'', this species is classified with the other wigeons in the dabbling duck genus '' Mareca'' ...
(''Anas americana'')
*
Bald eagle
The bald eagle (''Haliaeetus leucocephalus'') is a bird of prey found in North America. A sea eagle, it has two known subspecies and forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle (''Haliaeetus albicilla''), which occupies the same niche as ...
(''Halieeatus leucocephalus'') - Has been seen up the Hudson River every winter consistently for well over a decade, feeding on a wide variety of both freshwater and saltwater fish. Has also been seen using the
New Jersey Palisades
The Palisades, also called the New Jersey Palisades or the Hudson River Palisades, are a line of steep cliffs along the west side of the lower Hudson River in Northeastern New Jersey and Southeastern New York in the United States. The cliffs s ...
and piers near the Harlem River as a perch from which to swoop down and grab its quarry in the estuary. Will occasionally make itself known in the Lower Harbor seeking schools of mackerel.
* Black bellied plover (''Pluvialis squatarola)''
*
Black-crowned night heron
The black-crowned night heron (''Nycticorax nycticorax''), or black-capped night heron, commonly shortened to just night heron in Eurasia, is a medium-sized heron found throughout a large part of the world, including parts of Europe, Asia, and N ...
(''Nycticorax nycticorax'')
*
Black skimmer
The black skimmer (''Rynchops niger'') is a tern-like seabird, one of three similar birds species in the skimmer genus ''Rynchops'' in the gull family Laridae. It breeds in North and South America. Northern populations winter in the warmer wate ...
(''Rynchops niger'')
* Brant (''Branta bernicla hrota'')
* Brown pelican (''Pelecanus occidentalis'') This bird migrates north from the Chesapeake and Outer Banks in the late spring and does not go back until roughly late September. Occasionally will perch on docks. Prefers alewives and mossbunker; should not be fed so much as a morsel if found on the docks as it can become habituated to humans and an unhealthy diet.
*
Canada goose
The Canada goose (''Branta canadensis''), or Canadian goose, is a large wild goose with a black head and neck, white cheeks, white under its chin, and a brown body. It is native to the arctic and temperate regions of North America, and it is ...
(''Branta canadensis'')
* Glossy ibis (''Plegadis falcinellus)'' A common bird in the summertime in Jamaica Bay and in the shallows on the Pelham Islands.
*
Great blue heron
The great blue heron (''Ardea herodias'') is a large wading bird in the heron family Ardeidae, common near the shores of open water and in wetlands over most of North America and Central America, as well as the Caribbean and the Galápagos I ...
(''Ardea herodia'') Often found on Staten Island near the water.
*
Green heron
The green heron (''Butorides virescens'') is a small heron of North and Central America. ''Butorides'' is from Middle English ''butor'' "bittern" and Ancient Greek ''-oides'', "resembling", and ''virescens'' is Latin for "greenish".
It was long c ...
''(Butorides virescens)'' Will take to feeding in the Bronx River in summertime. Also found occasionally in Jamaica Bay and marshy portions on the New Jersey side of the estuary, attracted by small fish.
*
Mallard
The mallard () or wild duck (''Anas platyrhynchos'') is a dabbling duck that breeds throughout the temperate and subtropical Americas, Eurasia, and North Africa, and has been introduced to New Zealand, Australia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Argen ...
(''Anas platyryncha'') The most common dabbling duck in the region. A common visitor to brackish portions of the lower Raritan as well as Staten Island.
*
Northern gannet
The northern gannet (''Morus bassanus'') is a seabird, the largest species of the gannet family, Sulidae. It is native to the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean, breeding in Western Europe and Northeastern North America. It is the largest seabird in t ...
''(Morus bassanus)'' A member of the booby family. Will dive head first into the water after fish.
*
Osprey
The osprey (''Pandion haliaetus''), , also called sea hawk, river hawk, and fish hawk, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey with a cosmopolitan range. It is a large raptor reaching more than in length and across the wings. It is brown o ...
(''Pandion haliaetus'') - A very common sight in the skies over western Long Island, especially during the nesting months. Easily seen near Jamaica Bay.
*
Piping plover
The piping plover (''Charadrius melodus'') is a small sand-colored, sparrow-sized wader, shorebird that nests and feeds along coastal sand and gravel beaches in North America. The adult has yellow-orange-red legs, a black band across the forehead ...
(''Charadrius melodus)-''A bird that likes to nest on beaches like the ones near Rockaways and the Pelham Islands. This plover in particular is very tiny and beachgoers must mind their step near sand dunes as they can be missed. Has a pleasant sounding call. Likes to nest on sandy beaches and can be difficult to see during nesting season, as it tries to camouflage itself. This is a very nervous, endangered species that must remain unmolested during nesting as it will abandon its eggs if stressed; birdwatchers are advised to remain very, very quiet and to maintain a long distance from the nest so as not to frighten the bird.
*
Red knot
The red knot or just knot (''Calidris canutus'') is a medium-sized shorebird which breeds in tundra and the Arctic Cordillera in the far north of Canada, Europe, and Russia. It is a large member of the '' Calidris'' sandpipers, second only to the ...
(''Calidris canutus rufa)'' The estuary is a place where the red knot likes to rest as it migrated back to its breeding grounds in the Arctic. Small flocks can be seen in the spring and early summer. This bird's numbers are threatened, and so it must remain undisturbed.
*
Snowy egret
The snowy egret (''Egretta thula'') is a small white heron. The genus name comes from Provençal French for the little egret, , which is a diminutive of , 'heron'. The species name ''thula'' is the Araucano term for the black-necked swan, a ...
(''Egretta thula'') A common visitor to streams and salt marshes in the summer. Will on rare occasions be found foraging and relaxing in parks and rivers in the estuary system like the
Bronx River
The Bronx River (), approximately long, flows through southeast New York in the United States and drains an area of . It is named after colonial settler Jonas Bronck. Besides the Hutchinson River, the Bronx River is the only fresh water river in ...
. Males have very distinct breeding plumage.
* Yellow-crowned night heron (''Nycticorax violaceus'') - Nests on some of the uninhabited islands in the harbor and feasts upon the fish in the ocean and frogs in the streams and ponds in parks.
Fish
* Alewife (''Alosa pseudoharengus'')
* American anglerfish ''(Lophius americanus)'' Easily the homeliest fish in the water; Prefers the deepest parts of the estuary and Sandy Hook. Sold in local farmer's markets as monkfish, even though it is not a monkfish in ''strictu senso.''
*
American butterfish
The American butterfish (''Peprilus triacanthus''), also known as the Atlantic butterfish, is a butterfish of the family Stromateidae.Froese, R. and D. Pauly. Editors. (2019). FishBase. Peprilus triacanthus (Peck, 1804). Accessed through: World R ...
(''Peprilus triacanthus'')
*
American eel
The American eel (''Anguilla rostrata'') is a facultative catadromous fish found on the eastern coast of North America. Freshwater eels are fish belonging to the elopomorph superorder, a group of phylogenetically ancient teleosts. The Amer ...
(''Anguilla rostrata'')-Numbers are low; currently on IUCN redlist. Should gently put back exactly where it was found and not bought from any vendor nor taken home to eat anywhere in New York or New Jersey. Will travel thousands of miles to reproduce in Sargasso Sea every year. The Hudson River is a known haunt of this fish as is Upper New York Bay.
*
American shad
The American shad (''Alosa sapidissima'') is a species of anadromous clupeid fish naturally distributed on the North American coast of the North Atlantic, from Newfoundland to Florida, and as an introduced species on the North Pacific coast. Th ...
(''Alosa sapidissima'') Anadramous fish that once was found as far inland as Bridgewater New Jersey and a former abundant resident of the Raritan River showing signs of returning.
* American silver perch ''(Bairdiella chrysoura)''
* Atlantic croaker (''Micropogonias undulatus'')
*
Atlantic herring
Atlantic herring (''Clupea harengus'') is a herring in the family Clupeidae. It is one of the most abundant fish species in the world. Atlantic herrings can be found on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, congregating in large schools. They can ...
(''Clupea harengus'')
* Atlantic menhaden (''Brevoortia tyrannus'')-Also known as ''mossbunker''. This fish is a success story. In the 1940s and 1950s, the waters of the Estuary were very badly polluted and had been polluted since at least the mid 19th century. By the time of the
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act (CWA) is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Its objective is to restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation's waters; recognizing the responsibiliti ...
, the waters surrounding New York City were ecologically dead or dying. As of 2018, however, the water is clean enough to support this fish in obscenely large numbers, which have in turn triggered the return of whales, dolphins, and sharks to the harbo * Atlantic moonfish ''(Selene setapinnis)'' Likes to school in large numbers.
* Atlantic needlefish (''Strongylura marina'')
*
Atlantic silverside
The Atlantic silverside (''Menidia menidia''), also known as spearing in the northeastern United States, is a small species of fish from the West Atlantic, ranging from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to northeastern Florida in the USA. It i ...
(''Menidia menidia'')
*
Atlantic sturgeon
The Atlantic sturgeon (''Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus'') is a member of the family Acipenseridae and along with other sturgeon it is sometimes considered a living fossil. The Atlantic sturgeon is one of two subspecies of '' A. oxyrinchus'', ...
(''Acipenser oxyrinchus'') - Found in the depths of
Upper New York Bay
New York Harbor is at the mouth of the Hudson River where it empties into New York Bay near the East River tidal estuary, and then into the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of the United States. It is one of the largest natural harbors in t ...
, in the main channel of the
Hudson River
The Hudson River is a river that flows from north to south primarily through eastern New York. It originates in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York and flows southward through the Hudson Valley to the New York Harbor between Ne ...
; it also can and does migrate long distances from the mouth of the Hudson. This fish is very large as an adult and can grow to 14 feet long. Should be put back at once if caught on the line and the state environmental authorities should be contacted, with photograph if possible. The Atlantic sturgeon is an endangered beast that has been the victim of overfishing for caviar as well as the alteration of its habitat in too many rivers along the East Coast. The Hudson River and the New YOrk-New Jersey Harbor Estuary is a clear nursery for this fish as well as a stronghold for the species overall: the most recent research suggests that the remaining populations in other rivers in other states are interconnected with New York's, evidenced by tracking devices. Other populations in Europe were, at one point, completely wiped out.
* Banded killifish ''(Fundulus diaphanus)''
* Bay anchovy ''(Anchoa mitchilli)''
* Black drum (''Pogonias cromis'')
* Black seabass ''(Centropristis striata)''
* Blueback herring (''Alosa aestivalis)''
*
Bluefish
The bluefish (''Pomatomus saltatrix'') is the only extant species of the family Pomatomidae. It is a marine pelagic fish found around the world in temperate and subtropical waters, except for the northern Pacific Ocean. Bluefish are known as t ...
Crevalle jack
The crevalle jack (''Caranx hippos''), also known as the common jack, black-tailed trevally, couvalli jack, black cavalli, jack crevale, or yellow cavalli is a common species of large marine fish classified within the jack family, Carangidae. The ...
Gizzard shad
''Dorosoma'' is a genus that contains five species of shads, within the herring family Clupeidae. The five species are native to the North and/or Central America, and are known from both fresh water and the waters of estuaries and bays.
The Am ...
(''Dorosoma cepedianum'')
*
Hogchoker
The hogchoker (''Trinectes maculatus'') is a small flatfish found along the Atlantic coast of North America, ranging from Massachusetts and Florida to Panama. They prefer brackish water, and are abundant in many bays and estuaries north of t ...
(''Trinectes maculatus)''
*
Lined seahorse
The lined seahorse (''Hippocampus erectus''), northern seahorse or spotted seahorse, is a species of fish that belongs to the family Syngnathidae. ''H. erectus'' is a diurnal species with an approximate length of and lifespan of one to four ye ...
(''Hippocampus erectus'') Found all over the harbor and Sandy Hook. A species that should be gently put back exactly where it was found if caught, or as close to seagrass as possible. Numbers are threatened by collectors seeking
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an alternative medical practice drawn from traditional medicine in China. It has been described as "fraught with pseudoscience", with the majority of its treatments having no logical mechanism of acti ...
. Should not be purchased at all from such vendors.
* Mummichog (''Fundulus heteroclitus'')
* Northern pipefish (''Syngnathus fuscus'')
* Northern sea robin ''(Prionotus carolinus)''
* Northern puffer (''Sphoeroides maculatus)'' -A member of the blowfish family. Also known as a ''sugar toad.'' This is one of the only members of the blowfish family that is nowhere near as toxic as its Japanese and Chinese relatives. However, trying to catch this fish let alone eat it is dangerous as it can be mistaken for at least five other blowfish native to the Western Atlantic, two of which occasionally leave their normal ranges in warm weather and wind up in New York. Each of these lookalikes have an extremely deadly toxin in their flesh that humans cannot taste or smell. Techniques sushi chefs use on preparing
fugu
The fugu (; ; ) in Japanese, ''bogeo'' (; 鰒魚) or ''bok'' () in Korean, and ''hétún'' (河豚; 河魨) in Standard Modern Chinese is a pufferfish, normally of the genus '' Takifugu'', '' Lagocephalus'', or '' Sphoeroides'', or a porcupi ...
will not work with these fish since they are a different species with the poison in different parts and it is imperative that all New Yorkers and New Jerseyans know the source of the catch when eating in Asian restaurants, where immigrant owners might not be aware of the difference.
*
Ocean sunfish
The ocean sunfish or common mola (''Mola mola'') is one of the largest bony fish in the world. It was misidentified as the heaviest bony fish, which was actually a different species, '' Mola alexandrini''. Adults typically weigh between . The sp ...
''(Mola mola)'' This fish can grow to gigantic sizes. May be found near entrance to Lower New York Bay. Very docile in spite of enormous size; it resembles a giant floating pancake with fins and will from time to time float near the surface.
*
Oyster toadfish
The oyster toadfish, ''Opsanus tau'', also known as the oyster toad, ugly toad, oyster cracker, oyster catcher, and bar dog, is a Northeast Atlantic species of fish of the family Batrachoididae. The maximum length of this toadfish is , but they i ...
(''Opsanus tau'') Very commonly found haunting the piers and docks.
* Red hake (''Urophycis chuss)''
* Rough scad ''(Trachurus lathami)''
* Sand lance (''Ammodytes americanus''). An important food source for
harbor seal
The harbor (or harbour) seal (''Phoca vitulina''), also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. The most widely distributed species of pinniped (walruses, eared se ...
s and
grey seal
The grey seal (''Halichoerus grypus'') is found on both shores of the North Atlantic Ocean. In Latin Halichoerus grypus means "hook-nosed sea pig". It is a large seal of the family Phocidae, which are commonly referred to as "true seals" o ...
s as well as many baleen whales. Found in New York Bight as well as the estuary on the seabed.
*
Scup
The scup (''Stenotomus chrysops'') is a fish which occurs primarily in the Atlantic from Massachusetts to South Carolina. Along with many other fish of the family Sparidae, it is also commonly known as porgy.
Scup grow as large as 18 in (450& ...
(''Stenatomus chrysops'')
* Shortnose Sturgeon (''Acipenser brevirostrum'') Another dweller in the Hudson and East River. Smaller than its cousin the Atlantic sturgeon, though juveniles look similar. Should be put back where it was found if caught as it was placed on the Endangered Species List in 1967 and still is vulnerable. Spawning should occur around April.
*
Silver hake
The silver hake, Atlantic hake, or New England hake (''Merluccius bilinearis'') is a merluccid hake of the genus '' Merluccius'', found in the northwest Atlantic Ocean. It is highly predatory and typically feeds on fish and crustaceans.
Appearanc ...
Striped bass
The striped bass (''Morone saxatilis''), also called the Atlantic striped bass, striper, linesider, rock, or rockfish, is an anadromous perciform fish of the family Moronidae found primarily along the Atlantic coast of North America. It has ...
(''Morone saxatilis'') - One of the most prevalent species in the harbor, and the most extensively fished one. The Hudson River Estuary system has been a nursery for stripers going back before European settlement and overall it is one of the most important breeding grounds for this species in the Northeast.
*
Striped burrfish
The striped burrfish or simply burrfish (''Chilomycterus schoepfi'') is a member of the porcupinefish family Diodontidae.
Description
It is distinguished from the porcupinefish by the shorter, less sharply pointed, and immovable spines which ...
''(Chilomycterus schoepfi)'' -A member of the blowfish family, but very different looking than any relative in the area owing to the spikes on its skin when it blows up. Hazardous to step on. Present in the harbor in late summer.
* Striped sea robin ''(Prionotus evolans)''
* Striped mullet (''Mugil cephalus)''
* Summer flounder (''Paralicthys dentatus'')
* Tautog (''Tautoga onitis'') Locally known also as the ''blackfish''. Attracted to artificial reefs and natural shoals in the estuary.
* Tomcod (''Microgadus tomcod'')
*
Weakfish
The weakfish, ''Cynoscion regalis'', is a marine fish of the drum family Sciaenidae.
A medium-large, slender, marine fish, it is found along the east coast of North America. The head and back of this fish are dark brown in color with a greenish ...
(''Cynoscion regalis'')
* White mullet ''(Mugil curema)''
*
White perch
The white perch (''Morone americana'') is not a true perch but is a fish of the temperate bass family, Moronidae, notable as a food and game fish in eastern North America. In some places it is referred to as "Silver Bass".
The name "White per ...
(''Morone americana'')
*
Windowpane flounder
The windowpane flounder (''Scophthalmus aquosus'') is a fish species in the family Scophthalmidae. Widespread on the depth of 5–73 meters in the Western Atlantic from the Gulf of St. Lawrence in Canada to Florida
Florida is a state loc ...
Yellowtail flounder
The yellowtail flounder (''Limanda ferruginea''), also known as the rusty dab, is a species of flatfish in the family Pleuronectidae (righteye flounders). Reaching in length, it has reddish brown upperparts, pale underparts and yellow fins. Bot ...
(''Limanda ferruginea'')
Elasmobranch Fish: Sharks, Skates, And Rays
Despite popular belief, sharks are perfectly capable of living in the waters of the estuary as well as the deeper waters near Sandy Hook. This would include the very small species to the giants, with 25 of them being recorded as indigenous to the waters of New York State in total. They were once fairly common to the estuary, as evidenced by records left behind by the Dutch describing them in a way that is unmistakable for any other family of fish, and cousins of sharks like the skates and rays never totally went extinct in the waters off New York or New Jersey. Among the rays and sharks, there are many nomadic species that migrate.
The overwhelming majority of sharks have no interest in hunting humans, as there is plenty of prey available for them to hunt in the nearby waters. Larger species of shark prefer seals, dolphins, and large fish like tuna and billfish, which are found in the waters around the estuary. Most shark species are not known to prey on humans, with increased attacks occurring when natural prey is scarce. The
New York Bight
The New York Bight is the geological identification applied to a roughly triangular indentation, regarded as a bight, along the Atlantic coast of the United States that extends northeasterly from Cape May Inlet in New Jersey to Montauk Point o ...
, the triangle of water with Montauk at one apex, the
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore (known by locals simply as the Shore) is the coastal region of the U.S. state of New Jersey. Geographically, the term encompasses about of oceanfront bordering the Atlantic Ocean, from Perth Amboy in the north to Cape May P ...
at the second apex, and New York Harbor in the middle, is known for its abundance of marine life, thus providing a large amount of prey for sharks. The exact migration pattern is not completely known and currently being studied, but the general belief is that the larger pelagic sharks migrate north in the spring and return again to Florida and Georgia by the end of November as the water becomes too cold to be bearable. The waters in this area are also a haven for the larger species whose numbers are threatened as
shark finning
Shark finning is the act of removing fins from sharks and discarding the rest of the shark back into the ocean. This act is prohibited in many countries. The sharks are often still alive when discarded, but without their fins.Spiegel, J. (2000 ...
is forbidden by the State of New York.
*
Basking shark
The basking shark (''Cetorhinus maximus'') is the second-largest living shark and fish, after the whale shark, and one of three plankton-eating shark species, along with the whale shark and megamouth shark. Adults typically reach in leng ...
''(Cetorhinus maximus)'' Second largest species of shark in the world, but this shark is a filter feeder and not a predator. It can be mistaken for the great white owing to similar coloring, but has gill slits that slash almost around its whole head and has a front dorsal fin that is more triangular than the raked shape found in that of the great white.
*
Blue shark
The blue shark (''Prionace glauca''), also known as the great blue shark, is a species of requiem shark, in the family Carcharhinidae, which inhabits deep waters in the world's temperate and tropical oceans. Averaging around and preferring ...
''Prionace glauca'' Not an aggressive species in particular with few records of attacks to its name, but a larger species. Can grow to ten feet long and has a slender build.
*
Bull shark
The bull shark (''Carcharhinus leucas''), also known as the Zambezi shark (informally zambi) in Africa and Lake Nicaragua shark in Nicaragua, is a species of requiem shark commonly found worldwide in warm, shallow waters along coasts and in ri ...
Historically responsible for an incident in Matawan, New Jersey in 1916 that inspired the film ''Jaws,'' this species is known to be more and aggressive than the larger great white, which cannot survive in fresh water. Bull sharks can swim up freshwater rivers and are present in the area from May–September.
*
Great white shark
The great white shark (''Carcharodon carcharias''), also known as the white shark, white pointer, or simply great white, is a species of large mackerel shark which can be found in the coastal surface waters of all the major oceans. It is nota ...
(''Carcharodon carcharias'') One of the largest living species of shark that can grow to about 20 feet long, with average lengths of 15-16 ft. for females, and 11-13 for males. As of 2018, research indicates the return of this most feared shark. In 2016, scientists discovered what is thought to be a white shark nursery off Montauk, where a large number of juveniles indicates a nearby nursery. The great white can reach the other end of Long Island (Brooklyn and Queens) within a matter of 24 hours. Great whites are categorized as vulnerable and should not be hunted.
*
Nurse shark
The nurse shark (''Ginglymostoma cirratum'') is an elasmobranch fish in the family Ginglymostomatidae. The conservation status of the nurse shark is globally assessed as Vulnerable in the IUCN List of Threatened Species. They are considered t ...
(''Ginglymostoma cirratum'') Will occasionally visit artificial reefs.
*
Sandbar shark
The sandbar shark (''Carcharhinus plumbeus'') also known as the brown shark or thickskin shark, is a species of requiem shark, and part of the family Carcharhinidae, native to the Atlantic Ocean and the Indo-Pacific. It is distinguishable by it ...
(''Carcharhinus plumbeus)'' Common near Sandy Hook. Growing presence nearer to New York City.
* Sand tiger shark (''Carcharias taurus)'' New York Harbor is an important nursery for the babies.
*
Scalloped hammerhead
The scalloped hammerhead (''Sphyrna lewini'') is a species of hammerhead shark in the family Sphyrnidae. It was originally known as ''Zygaena lewini''. The Greek word ''sphyrna'' translates into "hammer" in English, referring to the shape of thi ...
(''Sphyrna lewini).'' Mature females grow to about 13 feet long. This species is rarely aggressive and mostly bites out of fear. The young of this species will form schools in estuaries. Babies are often caught in New York Harbor.
*
Shortfin mako shark
The shortfin mako shark (; ; ''Isurus oxyrinchus''), also known as the blue pointer or bonito shark, is a large mackerel shark. It is commonly referred to as the mako shark, as is the longfin mako shark (''Isurus paucus''). The shortfin mako can ...
(''Isurus oxyrinchus)'' May be dangerous to divers. Like the bull shark, they are ambush predators. The waters of the New York Bight and New York Harbor are naturally cloudy. This shark species is categorized as
endangered
An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and in ...
and is threatened by
shark finning
Shark finning is the act of removing fins from sharks and discarding the rest of the shark back into the ocean. This act is prohibited in many countries. The sharks are often still alive when discarded, but without their fins.Spiegel, J. (2000 ...
and
overfishing
Overfishing is the removal of a species of fish (i.e. fishing) from a body of water at a rate greater than that the species can replenish its population naturally (i.e. the overexploitation of the fishery's existing fish stock), resulting in t ...
Marine Mammals Protection Act
The Marine Mammals Protection Act 1978 is an Act of Parliament passed in New Zealand in 1978. It is administered by the Department of Conservation.
The environmental organisation Project Jonah gave the major impetus for the government to crea ...
of 1972.
*
Bottlenose dolphin
Bottlenose dolphins are aquatic mammals in the genus ''Tursiops.'' They are common, cosmopolitan members of the family Delphinidae, the family of oceanic dolphins. Molecular studies show the genus definitively contains two species: the comm ...
(''Tursiops truncatus'')
*
Grey seal
The grey seal (''Halichoerus grypus'') is found on both shores of the North Atlantic Ocean. In Latin Halichoerus grypus means "hook-nosed sea pig". It is a large seal of the family Phocidae, which are commonly referred to as "true seals" o ...
(''Halichoerus gryphus'') Can be distinguished from the harbor seal by its larger size, W shaped nostrils, and preference to lay flopped out with its back flippers down when resting out of the water. Will rest on jetties.
*
Harbor seal
The harbor (or harbour) seal (''Phoca vitulina''), also known as the common seal, is a true seal found along temperate and Arctic marine coastlines of the Northern Hemisphere. The most widely distributed species of pinniped (walruses, eared se ...
(''Phoca vitulina'') - Historically both
pinniped
Pinnipeds (pronounced ), commonly known as seals, are a widely distributed and diverse clade of carnivorous, fin-footed, semiaquatic, mostly marine mammals. They comprise the extant families Odobenidae (whose only living member is the ...
species were abundant natives in the harbor until hunting and other human activity extirpated them from the area by at least the late 19th century: there is a section of the harbor that was historically known as "Robbins Reef. " ''Robyn'' is the Dutch word for ''seal'', proving their existence long before the American Revolution. I recent years however, these two species, along with the some more typically northerly seal species like the harp seal have been found in the harbor in pursuit of some of the species mentioned above; others are yearlings who are continuing the trend on the U.S. East Coast of seals reclaiming former habitat, heading southward from mother populations in
New England
New England is a region comprising six states in the Northeastern United States: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. It is bordered by the state of New York to the west and by the Canadian provinces ...
and
Canada
Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by to ...
and from more easterly parts of Long Island. Colonies of harbor seals and greys are increasing their numbers with every passing year and will be seen in the area from December through April. Occasionally this species will swim upstream in the Hudson River.
*
Harbor porpoise
The harbour porpoise (''Phocoena phocoena'') is one of eight extant species of porpoise. It is one of the smallest species of cetacean. As its name implies, it stays close to coastal areas or river estuaries, and as such, is the most familiar ...
(''Phocoena phocoena'') - Has been seen in
Upper New York Bay
New York Harbor is at the mouth of the Hudson River where it empties into New York Bay near the East River tidal estuary, and then into the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of the United States. It is one of the largest natural harbors in t ...
.
*
North American river otter
The North American river otter (''Lontra canadensis''), also known as the northern river otter and river otter, is a semiaquatic mammal that only lives on the North American continent, along its waterways and coasts. An adult North American rive ...
(''Lutra canadensis'') - Native to the
Hudson River
The Hudson River is a river that flows from north to south primarily through eastern New York. It originates in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York and flows southward through the Hudson Valley to the New York Harbor between Ne ...
and occasionally is seen at the mouth of the river. Restoration efforts by the state of
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
New York may also refer to:
Film and television
* '' ...
are underway and appear to be successful.
Whales
All whales that visit the estuary are wild animals; many, like the humpback, may be mothers with calves. The water from their blowholes will usually be visible long before the rest of the body is. They will defend themselves vigorously and violently if they believe they or their babies are in danger. A recommended distance of at least 100 yards must be maintained between a vessel and the whale, and pursuing one when it does not seek contact is illegal. It is not unknown for some species to be inquisitive and should the whale approach willingly, the boatmen must turn off the engine and give the beast a way out so that if the whale feels uneasy, it can leave.
*
Blue whale
The blue whale (''Balaenoptera musculus'') is a marine mammal and a baleen whale. Reaching a maximum confirmed length of and weighing up to , it is the largest animal known to have ever existed. The blue whale's long and slender body can ...
(''Balaenoptera musculus'') The largest of all whale species, and one of the rarest. Can be found just off Sandy Hook.
*
Fin whale
The fin whale (''Balaenoptera physalus''), also known as finback whale or common rorqual and formerly known as herring whale or razorback whale, is a cetacean belonging to the parvorder of baleen whales. It is the second-longest species of ceta ...
(''Balaenoptera physalus'') The second largest species of whale. Will enter the Upper Harbor and has been seen off Coney Island. This is the fastest swimming whale found in the estuary.
*
Humpback whale
The humpback whale (''Megaptera novaeangliae'') is a species of baleen whale. It is a rorqual (a member of the family Balaenopteridae) and is the only species in the genus ''Megaptera''. Adults range in length from and weigh up to . The hu ...
(''Megaptera novaeangliae'') Among whales, one of the most common visitors to the Harbor as of 2018. Records going back over 300 years are very clear that whales were present in the area in historical times and only disappeared after the water became saturated with the garbage of humans. Usually humpbacks appear in the harbor around April and will not leave until late October: New York City and its surrounding waters are dead in the middle of their migration route, a huge territory that begins in Newfoundland, runs through New England, passes into the waters of Florida and the American South, and terminates in a strait between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. The estuary is an excellent pit stop for mother whales wanting to teach their calves how to catch the fish that have returned in numbers not seen in over a century. In 2017 one humpback whale made international news when it breached in front of a camera less than a few miles from
Battery Park
The Battery, formerly known as Battery Park, is a public park located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island in New York City facing New York Harbor. It is bounded by Battery Place on the north, State Street on the east, New York Harbor to ...
and raised awareness that whales have "come home" at last to New York.
* Minke whale (''Balaenoptera acutorostrata'')
*
North Atlantic right whale
The North Atlantic right whale (''Eubalaena glacialis'') is a baleen whale, one of three right whale species belonging to the genus '' Eubalaena'', all of which were formerly classified as a single species. Because of their docile nature, their s ...
(''Eubalaena glacialis'') Extremely endangered. Less than 400 are left in the world. New York and New Jersey are in the center of its migration route between Florida and the Bay of Fundy in Canada. Great care must be taken around this species of whale as most cannot outswim jet propelled boats and are frequent victims of ship strikes. All sightings should be reported to authorities like the Coast Guard or NYPD at once, for every member of this species is precious to its continued survival.
From 2007-2009, an expert from Cornell University did an experiment listening in on the acoustics of the Harbor Estuary, where, to the astonishment of many, he discovered at least six species of whale vocalizing less than 20 miles from where the
Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty (''Liberty Enlightening the World''; French: ''La Liberté éclairant le monde'') is a colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor in New York City, in the United States. The copper statue, ...
stands, just past the Verrazano Bridge where the water gets deeper. Historical records show that whales were plentiful in the area going well back into colonial history: in 1697, the charter for Trinity Church received its official royal charter, which gave it not only a large chunk of land in
Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan (also known as Downtown Manhattan or Downtown New York) is the southernmost part of Manhattan, the central borough for business, culture, and government in New York City, which is the most populated city in the United States with ...
, but also the profit from any whales or shipwrecks along the banks of the Hudson. The return of these whales is evidence of the environment's improvement over the past forty years: whales have been absent from New York's waters west of the Hamptons for over a hundred years as the water became incredibly polluted and in 1989 the population was zero. In 2009, however, a young humpback whale attempted to penetrate the gateway to the upper harbor when it passed under the Verrazano Bridge, causing the men and women ashore watching the whole debacle from
Fort Hamilton
Fort Hamilton is a United States Army installation in the southwestern corner of the New York City borough of Brooklyn, surrounded by the communities of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights. It is one of several posts that are part of the region which i ...
a great deal of alarm, concerned for its health and the safety of the Coast Guard officers trying to herd the frightened, massive creature back out to sea (the whale returned unharmed.) In late 2017, for the first time,
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute
The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI, acronym pronounced ) is a private, nonprofit research and higher education facility dedicated to the study of marine science and engineering.
Established in 1930 in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, it ...
in partnership with the New York Aquarium began to count the whales in a census as the population has expanded mightily.
Moon jellyfish
''Aurelia aurita'' (also called the common jellyfish, moon jellyfish, moon jelly or saucer jelly) is a species of the genus '' Aurelia''. All species in the genus are very similar, and it is difficult to identify ''Aurelia'' medusae without genet ...
(''Aurelia aurita'') A common sight that washes up on the shores of Rockaways, Queens every summer.
* Lion's mane jellyfish (''Cynanea capillata)'' The largest known jellyfish. Prefers the deepest waters just past the Verazzano Bridge and near Sandy Hook.
* White cross hydromedusa (''Staurophora mertensi'')
* Tubular hydroid (''Ectopleura crocea'')
* Orange-striped green sea anemone (''Diadumene lineata'')
Atlantic bay scallop
''Argopecten irradians'', formerly classified as ''Aequipecten irradians'', common names Atlantic bay scallop or bay scallop, is a species of scallop in the family Pectinidae. An edible saltwater clam, it is native to the northwest Atlantic fr ...
Atlantic surf clam
The Atlantic surf clam (''Spisula solidissima''), also called the bar clam, hen clam, skimmer or simply sea clam, is a very large, edible, saltwater clam or marine bivalve mollusk in the family Mactridae. It is commonly found in the western Atla ...
(''Spisula solidissima'') A species that is much prized as a food source. Very common near Sandy Hook.
*
Blue mussel
The blue mussel (''Mytilus edulis''), also known as the common mussel, is a medium-sized edible marine bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae, the mussels. Blue mussels are subject to commercial use and intensive aquaculture. A species with a l ...
(''Mytulis edulis'')
*
Coquina
Coquina () is a sedimentary rock that is composed either wholly or almost entirely of the transported, abraded, and mechanically sorted fragments of the shells of mollusks, trilobites, brachiopods, or other invertebrates. The term ''coquin ...
(''Donax fossor'') A very small species that is found where the tide meets the sand.
* Eastern oyster (''Crassostrea virginica'') - Once widely found through much of the harbor and a staple of the local diet from the time of the
Algonquians
The Algonquian are one of the most populous and widespread North American native language groups. Historically, the peoples were prominent along the Atlantic Coast and into the interior along the Saint Lawrence River and around the Great Lakes. T ...
up through the 19th century. Oystering grounds were prevalent in the Upper Bay, as well as along the south shore of
Staten Island
Staten Island ( ) is a Boroughs of New York City, borough of New York City, coextensive with Richmond County, in the U.S. state of New York (state), New York. Located in the city's southwest portion, the borough is separated from New Jersey b ...
and
Jamaica Bay
Jamaica Bay is an estuary on the southern portion of the western tip of Long Island, in the U.S. state of New York. The estuary is partially man-made, and partially natural. The bay connects with Lower New York Bay to the west, through Rockaw ...
. The oyster still exists in the harbor but is not yet considered edible; there are plans to further clean up the areas so that the beds can be restored.
*
Quahog
The hard clam ('' Mercenaria mercenaria''), also known as the round clam, hard-shell (or hard-shelled) clam, or the quahog, is an edible marine bivalve mollusk that is native to the eastern shores of North America and Central America from Prince ...
* Longfin inshore squid (''Loligo pealei'') - Found in Lower New York Harbor and Sheepshead Bay. Often for sale in local
farmers' market
A farmers' market (or farmers market according to the AP stylebook, also farmer's market in the Cambridge Dictionary) is a physical retail marketplace intended to sell foods directly by farmers to consumers. Farmers' markets may be indoors or o ...
s.
*
Common octopus
The common octopus (''Octopus vulgaris'') is a mollusc belonging to the class Cephalopoda. ''Octopus vulgaris'' is one of the most studied of all octopus species, and also one of the most intelligent. It ranges from the eastern Atlantic, extend ...
Gastropods
*
Common whelk
''Buccinum undatum'', the common whelk or the waved buccinum, is a large, edible marine gastropod in the family Buccinidae, the "true whelks".Fraussen, K.; Gofas, S. (2014). Buccinum undatum Linnaeus, 1758. Accessed through: World Register of Ma ...
Common periwinkle
The common periwinkle or winkle (''Littorina littorea'') is a species of small edible whelk or sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusc that has gills and an operculum, and is classified within the family Littorinidae, the periwinkles.Reid, Dav ...
(''Littorina littorea'') - Almost certainly introduced in colonial times by the British as food and possibly in bilgewater from ships. Common sight clinging to rocks or wherever their favorite algae can grow.
* Eastern mudsnail (''Ilanassa obsoleta'')
* Oyster drill (''Urosalpinx cinerea'')
*
Lightning whelk
''Sinistrofulgur perversum'', the lightning whelk, is an edible species of very large predatory sea snail or whelk, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Busyconidae, the busycon whelks. This species has a left-handed or sinistral shell. It ...
(''Busycon carica'') Found in Sandy Hook.
* Shark eye (''Neverita duplicata'')
Sea lettuce
The sea lettuces comprise the genus ''Ulva'', a group of edible green algae that is widely distributed along the coasts of the world's oceans. The type species within the genus ''Ulva'' is ''Ulva lactuca'', wikt:lactuca, ''lactuca'' being Latin ...
Geography of New York–New Jersey Harbor Estuary
Geography (from Greek: , ''geographia''. Combination of Greek words ‘Geo’ (The Earth) and ‘Graphien’ (to describe), literally "earth description") is a field of science devoted to the study of the lands, features, inhabitants, and ...