This list is no longer maintained, and should not be considered reliable.

Seashells and other marine invertebrates found in the New Bedford harbor estuary, from Fort Phoenix State Park to Interstate 195. By no means a comprehensive list; merely what I found during unsystematic observation 2005-2009.

* Indicates that I’ve seen a living specimen in the harbor, as opposed to just a shell.
? Indicates identification probable but not certain.
(outer) Indicates outer harbor, outside hurricane barrier, only.

Molluscs

Gastropods
Common European Periwinkle (Littorina littorea) *
Common Atlantic Slipper Snail (Crepidula fornicata) *
Knobbed Whelk (Busycon carica) (outer)
Channeled Whelk (Busycotypus canaliculatus) (outer)

Bivalves
Blood Ark (Anadara ovalis) (outer)
Edible Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis)
Atlantic Ribbed Mussel (Geukensia demissa) *
Atlantic Deepsea Scallop (Placopecten magelicanus) Shells most likely from scallop boats, not from actual residents of the harbor.
Atlantic Bay Scallops (Argopecten irradians)
Atlantic Jingle (Anomia simplex)
Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) *
Northern Quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria)
Atlantic Jackknife Clam (Ensis directus) (outer)
Atlantic Surf Clam (Spisula solidissima) (outer)

Echinoderms

Northern Sea Star (Asterias vulgaris) ? *
Common Sand Dollar (Echinarachnius parma)

Arthropods

Chelicerate arthropods
Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus) *

Crustaceans
Green Crab (Carcinus maenas) *
Unidentified barnacles

Cnidarians

Unidentified jellyfish (Moon Jellyfish?)

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Best access points for finding seashells:

Beach at Fort Phoenix State Park, Fairhaven
Beach near New Bedford end of hurricane barrier
Wetlands and shoreline near Riverside Cemetery, Fairhaven