Marine life of New York Harbor - Definition and Overview

The Marine life of New York Harbor refers to variety of aquatic plant and animal species in New York Harbor in the vicinity of New York City. A popular misconception holds that the harbor is largely devoid of marine life. In reality, it has supported a great variety of species throughout its history and continues to do so today.

Animal species

• American eel anguilla rostrata
• Atlantic needlefish strongylura marina
• Atlantic sturgeon acipenser oxyrinchus

Found in the depths of Upper New York Bay, in the main channel of the Hudson River

• bluefish pomatomus aaltatrix
• gizzard shad dorosoma cepedianum
• eastern oyster crassostrea virginica

Once widely found through much of the harbor and a staple of the local diet from the time of the Algonquins up through the 19th century. Oystering grounds were prevalent in the Upper Harbor, as well as along the south shore of Staten Island and Jamaica Bay. The oyster still exists in the harbor but is not considered edible.

• striped bass morone saxatilis

One of the most prevalent species in the harbor, and the most extensively fished one.

• white perch morone americana