Sponges

Red Beard Sponge

Sponges grow at all depths, and in brackish and freshwater also. They may occur as thin encrusting coatings on rocks and wood, or as long thin branching fingers attached to the bottom, or in the typical rounded form that has been used for centuries as ... a sponge!

The Red Beard Sponge Microciona prolifera is the commonest and most colorful of several sponges that grow in the region. Sponges also occur in shades of yellow and white and often grow in a much lower, spreading, and encrusting form, especially in areas of high currents. They are the most primitive of multi-celled animals, lacking distinct tissues and organs.

Red Beard Sponge
Red Beard Sponge
A Sea Star crawls over a Red Beard sponge
Palmate Sponge
Palmate Sponge Isodyctia spp.
Boring Sponge
Boring Sponge Cliona spp.
Boring Sponge
Boring Sponge Cliona spp.( yawn )
Boring Sponge

Boring Sponges typically grow on mollusk shells, such as Oysters. While not parasitic, they do eat away at the shell, causing stress and sometimes death for the mollusk.

Sponges structure is based on microscopic interlocking spicules ( right ) which are built up from cell secretions. Depending on the species, these may take the form of pointed hard calcareous hooks or flexible nets. The spicules of some tropical species can cause severe skin reactions if the sponge is touched or handled. I am not aware of any such danger with northern sponges.

Sponge anatomy
Sponge "anatomy" - sponges don't really have anatomy.
sponges
Herb Segars Photography

Mount Sinai Harbor / Jetties

Once you get there, suit up at your car and walk down the small stretch of beach till you get near the jetty. Enter the water at your leisure. Once in the water, you can swim north along the jetty to the tip. You may see fish, lobster, crabs and the sort. There are large openings in the rocks that form the jetty. Large enough in fact that you can almost swim into one. I don't advise doing this because getting stuck might be a frightening experience.

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