Marine Life in Boston Harbor

Marine Life in Boston Harbor. . , Boston Harbor is an environmental success story. Thanks to aggressive environmental efforts and the determination of organizations and environmental groups, the Harbor has been restored to better health after a century of pollution that began with the city's first sewage system in the 19th century., Today, proper water treatment, water quality monitoring and local investment in the waterfront have created an environment that welcomes wildlife back to the Inner Harbor and its islands., Harp Seal , Harp seals are commonly found along the New England shore during the winter. While it is rare for them to enter the Inner Harbor, they do occasionally visit. The New England Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Team is a local resource for seal information, rescue and rehabilitation., Harbor Porpoise , Harbor porpoises are returning to Boston Harbor thanks to the two-decade-long cleanup project. The Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Team regularly receives reports and monitors porpoises seen in the Inner Harbor., Humpback Whale , When a juvenile humpback whale visited Boston's Inner Harbor, the Aquarium's Marine Animal Rescue Team monitored the animal daily until it departed the Harbor. It's believed that this animal traveled from the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary area, located about 25 miles east of Boston. Stellwagen Bank is a vital feeding ground for humpback whales during the late spring, summer and fall seasons., Piping Plover , Boston Harbor and the beaches of New England are the nesting ground for these rare shorebirds. Despite the population density, plovers are known to nest on harbor beaches. Since they are an endangered species, their nesting ground is roped off, and admirers can watch the animals from a distance., Sea Jelly , Sea jellies are a common sight in harbors up and down the New England coast. During the summer season, Boston Harbor is inhabited by thousands of harmless sea jelly species such as moon jellies and ctenophores. They can grow as big as dinner plates. The Aquarium uses curved tanks that prevent jellies from running into the tank walls when they are on exhibit., Benthic Animals , In addition to the larger animals living in the harbor, the waters are teeming with invertebrates, shellfish, crustaceans and other small animals. Aquarium educators often demonstrate this biodiversity by lowering settling plates off the pier for six months and then lifting them out to show the variety of organisms that have grown here., Deer Island Water Treatment Plant , The centerpiece of Boston Harbor's successful cleanup is the Deer Island water treatment plant. The treatment facility, featuring 140-foot-high, 3-million-gallon egg-shaped digester tanks, serves as an environmental model around the world. The plant adheres to stringent state and federal standards, transporting outflow 9.5 miles out into the deeper waters of Massachusetts Bay. The new treatment system has reduced beach closings and improved water quality.