Raritan Bay Complex
Raritan Bay
The largest bay in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary, bordered by Staten Island, Middlesex and Monmouth counties, NJ. Until 1900, Raritan Bay was one of America's richest fisheries, but was then overwhelmed by pollution, siltation, and over-fishing. The Bay is recovering, and supports profitable, though threatened, commercial shellfish harvesting. Baykeeper has an extremely active presence here., recently spawning a Raritan Riverkeeper program to patrol that significant tributary. We are also currently working with Rutgers University to do a historic land use and cultural resource study of the entire Bayshore.
- Compton Creek
Raritan Bay tributary. Belford Seafood Coop at the mouth of this creek, includes a small fishing fleet and port, fish wholesaler and restaurant operation – one of the last operations of its kind in the region. Baykeeper stood with local residents to preserve natural and cultural resources against a proposed ferry landing, but was unsuccessful in the effort. We continue to monitor the effects of the ferry on the creek and the lives of the fishermen.
- Cheesequake Creek
Raritan Bay tributary and location of New Jersey's Cheesequake State Park. Baykeeper is extremely active here, working with NJ Green Acres, park officials, and the Old Bridge Environmental Commission, to acquire wetlands and establish upland buffers against development. We have also vigorously defended against improper residential development on lands immediately adjoining the park.
- Matawan Creek
Raritan Bay tributary. Adjacent to Keyport Harbor, this is a frequent Baykeeper eco-adventure kayak destination.
- Whale Creek
Tributary of Raritan Bay, on border of Monmouth and Middlesex counties, NJ. Baykeeper is working with NJ Green Acres and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to eventually acquire this natural stream corridor.
- Waackaack Creek
Raritan Bay Tributary.
- Pews Creek
Raritan Bay Tributary. Baykeeper continues to monitor the effects from a county marina development and a wetlands fill to accommodate a new road.
- Chingagora Creek
Raritan Bay tributary. Baykeeper is looking at potential acquisition and restoration projects here. Baykeeper's oyster bed in Keyport Harbor is at the mouth of the creek. This creek is also a kayak adventure destination.
Sandy Hook Bay
Part of the Raritan Bay complex. Lies east of the Monmouth County mainland and west of Sandy Hook (a peninsula separating the Bay from the Atlantic Ocean). Sandy Hook includes the Gateway National Recreation Area. This is the major shell fishing area in Raritan Bay. Most of the Baymen harvest hard clams here to be taken to the depuration plants in Highlands and Seabright.
Tributaries of Sandy Hook Bay
- Navesink River
Flows into the Estuary at Sandy Hook Bay. Starting in 2003, became a focal point for Baykeeper's oyster restoration program, with the establishment of multiple oyster reefs here. With the American Littoral Society and Monmouth County Parks, we support habitat and open space Land acquisition on the Navesink. The Navesink is one of the few tributaries to the Estuary from which clams can be harvested directly.
- Swimming River
Tributary of the Navesink. Baykeeper believes that this is an appropriate river for a fish ladder, to be placed on the Shadow Lake dam to allow the herring migration to resume.
- Shrewsbury River
Flows into the Estuary at Sandy Hook Bay. The southernmost river in the Hudson-Raritan Estuary system and a valuable shell fishing resource.
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