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Here's a free way to interact with marine life -- on land.

The Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation is bringing back its free marine touch tank on the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company dock in Portsmouth, beginning Memorial
Day weekend (May 23-24) and every day when school's out, beginning in late June.

According to a press release from Blue Ocean Society, "Located at 315 Market Street, the
tank will be home to some of the many organisms found in the intertidal communities of the Gulf of Maine, including sea stars, hermit crabs, green crabs, rock crabs, periwinkles, dogwinkles, large whelks, mussels, barnacles, several types of algae and more.

"The society's knowledgeable naturalists will present details on the tank's critters and will lead visitors in engaging activities. Lessons include information on biology, the animals' roles in coastal ecology, human impacts on wildlife through boating, fishing and pollution, and what visitors can do every day to help make a difference.

"Visitors to the touch tank have a 360-degree view of the animals and can watch from side viewing panels as the critters go about their underwater lives. Watch as periwinkles munch on algae, sea stars extract their stomachs to digest their food, barnacles sweep their feathery feet through the water to collect nutrients, and crabs stake their territory!

"The society offers traveling programs, such as Marine Biology Day and a life-size inflatable whale, to area schools, Scout meetings and other organizations. It also offers a beach cleanup program, which allows student groups, camp groups and the general public to be involved in hands-on conservation by cleaning a local beach. To schedule lessons and activities or for more information, call (603) 431-0260 or visit blueoceansociety.org."