Salt water

Map of New York seascape reveals a wildlife treasure trove

Text and illustration © National Geographic/Wildlife Conservation Society. Just in time for World Oceans Day, the new map displays a stunning diversity of marine life, including one of the most endangered whales on the planet.

When New Yorkers think of incredible marine life, most of them do not think of that as something happening in their own watery backyard. Florida and the Caribbean, sure … but New York Harbour and beyond? Not so much. But in truth, the New York seascape is a veritable wonderland of wildlife, as evidenced in this new map created by Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium and National Geographic. It reveals the incredible diversity – and looming threats – belonging to the 16,000-square-mile area that stretches from the tip of Long Island to Cape May, New Jersey.

Known as the New York Bight, the area comprises an enormous secret realm, teeming with hundreds of species of fishes, sea turtles, whales, and natural wonders such as the Hudson Canyon, notes WCS. “We designed this map to convey the amazing diversity and dynamism of marine life here in some of the busiest and most economically important waters of the world,” says Dr. Merry Camhi, Director of the New York […]

Full article and more illustrations: Map of NY seascape reveals a wildlife treasure trove