Sponge Forest

Sponge Forest encompasses areas ontop of Stellwagen Bank in NOAA's Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary with cobble and scattered boulders that provide hard substrate for encrusting marine invertebrates. The area is named after the large finger sponges found growing on the seafloor. Sponge Forest lies within the Traffic Separation Zone of the Port of Boston's Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS). Dive vessels must be on the lookout for large cargo vessels transiting the area and must not impede the passage of these vessels. Vessel operators should follow all regulations pertaining to the safe operation of vessels in a TSS.