Marine, intertidal, mixed fine, protected, eulittoral

This habitat type (or its estuarine equivalent) occurs in protected bays and harbors in the Pacific Northwest and is likely to be characterized by more finer sediments (i.e., more mud, less sand).  Few marine (but many estuarine) sites in this category have been surveyed.  Species are generally a mix of those found in sand and in mud habitats.  Birds and fish using these areas are described under the counterpart Estuarine habitat.  Drift algae and seagrass may be abundant.