Is there coral off the shore of jersey?

[jtravapd]

This guy at work is a diver and he swears there is coral off the jersey coast. he didn't say which kind, but swears by it. Is there cold water coral because isn't the water up here too cold for most corals?

 

[redfishbluefish]

I dove off Jersey in the late 60’s and early 70’s and never saw any corals….in shallow water or deep water. Than again, you were lucky if you could see your extended hand in front of your face. If you could, you get out of the water and call all your diving buddies, proclaiming exceptional visibility.

 

[mott768]

yes there is Atlantic cold water corals, there is even a few people who keep cold water Atlantic tanks, but the water has to be kept no warmer than 55 degrees. And there is even colorfull corals and anemones. Do a search on MR and Boston's site, there's a couple of guy's on there that keep them.

 

[ken6217]

Yea, they look kinda like beer cans.
Ken

 

[mikem]

I've seen corals on our dive trips in Belmar. Whitebird kept a tank of Jersey corals.

 

[mott768]

http://www.coris.noaa.gov/activities/deepcoral_rpt/pdfs/Chapter5_Northeast.pdf

Also if your interested in Atlantic corals I'd suggest joining project aware

http://www.projectaware.org/english/default_americas.aspx

Here is the contact info for the coral watch program in NJ Click US then NJ state it will give you the contact #'s for the one's in NJ

https://www.projectaware.org/english/take_action/coralwatch_operator_listing.aspx

Coral watch program
http://www.projectaware.org/english/take_action/coral_reef_monitoring.aspx

 

[bneds]

NJ has about 13 diff. reef sites consisting of reef balls, tanks, train carts and a few other things. Saw it in a Nj fish and wildlife mag.

 

[evoIX]

;x let's take a njreefers dive to an actual NJ Reef!? i've seen others say they dive so let's make that a meet!

 

[Whitebird1]

Found this older thread!
131 NJRC Public Forums / General Discussion / Northern Coral Pic on: January 08, 2007, 04:05:18 PM
This was collected on Jan 8, water dept 48 ft..off of Long Branch in a naturally rocky area. The piece was accidentally snagged on a hook while fishing for Tog. It was transported in natural seawater and placed into a 12 gal cool water set up. Withen 1 hour the polyps opened and it has survived overnight so far. Est.100+ polyps. The skeleton seems to be blue-green and the polyps white. attached are what seems to be a yellow sponge also polyp shaped.

 

[Danw]

Wow, thats crazy, never knew there was coral off the jersey shore, its a shock theres anything off the jersey shore with how much garbage there is in the jersey water. Guess theres a type of coral for anyplace in the world.

 

[Whitebird1]

I know were colony's are if you want to look or take pics or collect. {DISCLAIMER!!!They are attached to Artificial floating Docks that are piratically dry docked and cleaned of growth so collecting should not be a issue!}

Shark River NJ, North Channel and Sea View Island off Rt.35, go down to the docks and most are "Floaters" look at the sides and any bottom that you can observe, among the growth, mostly Black Mussel's, look for patches of bright white- that's the coral colony's.

I have observed them in this cold water and polyps are fully open and feeding. Further research is recommended before collecting.

Assorted softy's, mostly Colorfull sponges, are also found there and are consentrated by the train bridge channel.

This is private property, but if you are approached just tell them what you are doing, should be no problem, most of the owners there are in Costa Rica now any way.
GregH