Under the Pier

Under the Pier. Hudson River Park. , The waters around Pier 76 are part of a 400-acre Estuarine Sanctuary managed by Hudson River Park to provide essential habitat for many fish species, including striped bass and lined seahorses. Throughout the park, there are several visible pile fields, which are clusters of wooden pilings that remain from bygone piers. The park's pile fields are some of the most notable elements of the sanctuary waters because of the unique habitat they create and the complex food web they support. Pier 76 is built atop a series of similarly clustered pilings., The Hudson River has been on a remarkable journey. Water quality has vastly improved following forty years of environmental regulations and advocacy, a benefit to both river wildlife and the surrounding community., the greater Hudson River watershed supports over 200 fish species and other wildlife. Fish abundance and diversity is an important biological indicator of the Hudson River's health., [photo captions:] , The park's pile fields are consumed by shipworms and gribbles that bore into the wood and create sheltering crevices for aquatic plants and animals, including mud crabs, grass shrimp, and barnacles. these shallow waters are also a hunting ground for smaller predators such as blue crabs, juvenile striped bass, and double-crested cormorants, aquatic birds that dive below the surface in search of prey., Hudson River Park is one of several organizations working to restore oysters in New York Harbor. The Park's Tribeca Habitat Enhancement Project expands substantial aquatic habitat, adding over 11 million oysters to sanctuary waters through reef balls and gabions., Oysters are important to the health of our local waterways. These filter feeders clean waterways, build habitat, and support shoreline resiliency. New York Harbor was historically rich in oyster beds.