Types of coastal pollution include discarded trash, oil spills, sewage spills, and toxic chemical runoff-all of which can negatively impact intertidal marine life.
Tide pools and the ocean's intertidal zones contain some of the most diverse collections of life on our planet-and as conscientious visitors to the intertidal environment-we can all help maintain that diversityĬoastal pollution also poses a threat to tide pool animals and plants.
Remember to tread lightly and take only pictures while visiting tide pools. In addition, many beaches in the United States are state or national parks and any collecting, even of empty shells, is prohibited. It is against the law to remove ANY animal from the beach unless you have a special permit. Be sure to step safely-watch out for yourself (rocks can be slippery in the intertidal)-and be sure not to accidentally step on any tide pool animals that may be damaged if you walk on them. Prying live animals like sea stars, snails, or mussels off rocks can make them more vulnerable to predators. Intertidal fishes and invertebrates are adapted to survive the challenges of this harsh and wave-swept environment, yet excessive or careless handling of animals can cause injury and death. The best way to view a tide pool is to approach and then wait quietly next to the pool-soon its various residents will be scurrying around. Because many intertidal animals shelter beneath rocks, be sure to place any rocks you turn over back into their exact location and orientation. If you visit the coast and have a chance to explore tide pools, remember to handle the animals carefully and to return them to the exact place you found them. Instead of taking shells, take photos of individual shells or collages of shells.Īt low or minus tides, tide pooling along rocky shores to closely observe the variety of intertidal life is a fun and rewarding activity. The California Department of Fish and Game prohibits the collection of live molluscs within the intertidal without a valid fishing license. Collecting snail shells could reduce the availability of these for hermit crabs.Ĭollection of any animals, plants, or even empty shells is prohibited in state or national parks or in regional reserves. Hermit crabs rely on an available supply of empty gastropod mollusc shells to inhabit. Often, shells that you see at the beach may still have a living occupant, such as a snail or hermit crab, inside. Many shells and animals such as sea stars and sand dollars that are available to buy in gift stores are collected live and in quantities that may deplete local stocks. They are also appealing as souvenirs by visitors to the ocean's coasts. Numerous shell types, especially those of marine molluscs, are beautiful and valued by collectors. If you eat seafood, including commercially-harvested marine invertebrates, be sure to support sustainable fisheries. Many other countries also have regulations and restrictions on collection or harvesting of intertidal life. Furthermore, in California and many other states, no live molluscs may be collected without a valid fishing license. Intertidal species regulated by the California Department of Fish & Game include abalone, Kellet's whelks, spiny lobsters, mussels, octopuses, oysters, scallops, sea cucumbers, sea urchins, shrimps, and sculpins. In addition, animals and plants are protected in NOAA's (National Ocean & Atmospheric Administration) national marine sanctuaries and monuments. Collection of any animals or plants is prohibited in state or national parks or in regional reserves. 
In many regions of the United States harvesting or collection of tide pool animals and plants, for any kind of use, is regulated. Many intertidal animals, like the black abalone-prized for its shell and meat-are now scarce or absent in areas where they were once abundant.Īs human populations continue to increase along coastlines, more people have access to the intertidal zone, impacting many of the plants and animals that rely upon this habitat. Humans, historically and currently, harvest animals and plants from the intertidal environment for food, bait, and, more recently, for home aquariums.
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