A Guide to the Jersey Coast's Beach Treasures

Habitat

The ocean shoreline is constantly pounded and washed by the surf. The movement of all the water that lands on the beach also delivers many treasures. Where ever there is an ocean and people , there are beachcombers that ply the shoreline to see what has come ashore.

shells on the beach at the edge of the ocean's waters

Beachcombing has changed a lot through the years. Early residents of Long Beach Island used to keep an eye out for beached whales. When cut up and processed the whale products could be used or, once the whaling industry was firmly established in North America, would bring in a hefty payday. In tandem with whaling there was also the hope that cargo or shipwreck remains would be washed ashore. Wood from wrecked ships, food, casks of liquor, trade goods and more could provide food, building materials or something that could be sold for cash.

clam shells on the sand

Today Long Beach Island's beaches are mainly walked by beachcombers looking for less dramatic treasures - shells or pieces of smooth colored glass, for example - that might show up with every new deposit of wrack on the shoreline. As much as times have changed, the basic question asked by anyone that practices this fun activity has remained the same - I wonder if the ocean has delivered anything interesting today?

The guide below is meant to serve as a way of figuring out what those treasures, and also those not so precious things, actually are. This resource will grow as we are able to find more information, pictures and even as people ask more questions.

A fairly small number of organisms make up the majority of all the animal detritus that washes ashore. If we don’t worry about our more modern plastic waste, other human debri, and assorted plant parts that can also be found on most beaches today, it is fairly simple to identify the source of most of the shells and curious looking animal parts one can find. Lets start with the....

Sea Shells

Knobbed Whelk Buyscon carica some specimens have rounded knobs...	Knobbed Whelk Buyscon carica while others have knobs that have developed into spines or spikes
Scallop Aequipecten irradians	False Angel Wing Petricolaria pholadiformis differs from the angel wing in not having an expansion of its hinge ;
Angel Wing Cyrtopleura costata	False Angel Wing Petricolaria pholadiformis differs from the angel wing in not having an expansion of its hinge ;