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Alive in Salem Sound

Photo Credit: Jeff Hannigan

Alive in Salem Sound

Photo Credit: Jeff Hannigan

Ever Wondered What Lives in Salem Sound?

Nearly every corner of Salem Sound is home to some interesting creatures. Explore this habitat showcase and learn more about the organisms that live in our coastal waters by clicking on each organism’s photo for more information.

Salt Marsh

Salt marshes are tidal wetlands found in protected embayments and fringing the shoreline. Salt marsh cordgrass and salt marsh hay are the dominant plant species that provide habitat for many species, while also slowly building up the marsh mud, or “peat,” as they decompose. Salt marshes provide critical ecosystem benefits, such as acting as a nursery for many juvenile fish species and a nesting stopover for migratory birds. They also provide valuable human services, as they absorb storm surge to reduce coastal flooding, filter pollutants and excess nutrients, and store carbon to curb the effects of climate change. 

Rocky Intertidal

The North Shore’s rocky coast provides ample nooks and crannies for a host of fascinating organisms, such as periwinkles, hermit crabs, urchins, and sea anemones. Tidepools collect seawater as the water recedes at low tide, which is an ideal time to go exploring for organisms that are submerged at high tide. Species that live in the rocky intertidal must deal with the harsh conditions that living in a constantly changing environment creates. They are highly adapted to survive in the extreme temperatures, changing oxygen levels, and crashing waves of the rocky intertidal zone.

Beaches

Beaches are not only a spot to relax and have fun in the summer; they also buffer the coastline from storms and are home to many animals that live burrowed in the sediment, such as clams, crustaceans, and worms. Beaches are a place where the nutrients and minerals of old rocks, shells, and seaweeds are broken down by the sun and waves and recycled for use by other sea creatures. 

Sea Floor

Below the waters of Salem Sound, out of sight to us on land, is the sea floor. The Sound’s sea floor varies from mud, sand, to rock with some areas lush with eelgrass or kelp. Each substrate provides a unique home for a variety of “benthic,” or bottom-dwelling, marine organisms. The Sound also varies in depth, from very shallow to 50 feet. The sea floor often reflects conditions at the surface. For instance, on calm days the sea floor might be very peaceful, but on rough days the slosh from the waves can reach the bottom. 

Open Ocean

Many species that swim or float live in the open water, the “pelagic” zone, of the Sound. Schools of fishes, diving birds, and curious seals can be seen at the surface, while others, such as tiny, microscopic plankton or transparent jellyfish, are a bit harder to see!  As you can imagine, it’s difficult to hide without the shelter that other habitats provide, so organisms that live in the open ocean must be highly adaptive.  

Now that you’ve discovered what lives in Salem Sound, dive deeper and take action.

Horseshoe Crab Survey
Resources
Threatened Habitats
Habitat Initiatives

Saltmarsh Sparrow (Ammodramus caudacutus)

Photo by Liam Wolff

The saltmarsh sparrow is a ground-nesting bird whose population is endemic to the salt marshes of the Atlantic coast. The saltmarsh sparrow only breeds in salt marshes, and as climate change continues to degrade the state of marsh habitats, the population of these sparrows is increasingly vulnerable to climate threats, including sea-level rise and storm events. 

Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

Photo by Scott Rikard

Eastern oysters are bivalve mollusks whose populations have declined due to overharvesting, habitat loss, and changing conditions due to climate change. Massachusetts oysters are closely associated with history and coastal economies, especially as a prized food source, but did you know that oysters provide environmental benefits as well? As a filter-feeder, oysters help to improve water quality and mitigate the effects of climate change. 

Atlantic Marsh Fiddler Crab (Minuca pugnax)

Photo by Will Parson

Though fiddler crabs have historically lived south of Cape Cod, their range has expanded further north in New England due to warming waters. These crabs build burrows in the marsh and are named for their distinctively large claw found on male crabs. While fiddler crabs have previously been thought to have a positive effect on marshes by encouraging plant growth, north of Cape Cod, this has not been the case. In fact, one study found that fiddler crabs damage plants’ roots as they’ve not yet adapted to burrowing animals, thus resulting in a drop in grass biomass. 

Mummichog Killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus)

Photo by Will Parson

Commonly referred to as “minnows,” mummichog killifish are small, silvery fish that live in marshes, tidal creeks, and a few yards offshore who often form large schools. Mummichog killifish feed on a range of marine plants, as well as small crustaceans, fish, and carrion. They’re also an important species for salt marsh food chains, as many larger marine species feed on them. 

Carolina Sea Lavender (Limonium carolinianum)

Photo by Y. Laskaris/USFWS

Sea lavender is a saltmarsh plant that grows up to 2 ft high and is characterized by small, purple flowers. It is a slow-growing marsh plant, so populations can be depleted quickly when harvested. Sea lavender is fairly widespread throughout Massachusetts but could face threats due to climate change.

Periwinkles (Littorina littorea)

Photo by Dr. Keith Hiscock

Though you may see periwinkle snails across the coast, they are actually a non-native invasive species in Salem Sound, originally found in Western Europe. They feed on a range of algae and are able to hold water inside their shells to survive when the tide is out, though they are more active when submerged. 

Atlantic Rock Crab (Cancer irroratus)

Photo by Robert Bachand

Atlantic rock crabs are native to New England and can be identified by their reddish-brown to light purple color, as well as the presence of nine smooth spines. Rock crabs are known as opportunistic feeders, eating an assortment of food sources depending on what’s available to them. This can include algae, mussels, and other crustaceans. While at one point, rock crabs were seen as a nuisance to fishers—entering lobster traps and stealing bait—there is now a growing industry for rock crab fishing. 

Green Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis)

Photo by Robert Bachand

Green sea urchins are named for their green outer shell and usually do not grow larger than 8 cm. Spines on their exoskeletons help to protect against predators, such as crustaceans, seagulls, and certain fish. Generally, urchins hunt at night for algae, marine worms, and kelp, so you’re unlikely to see them out in the daylight! 

Plumose Anemone (Metridium senile)

Photo by Paul Newland

Also referred to as “fluffy” or “frilled” anemones, this species is found throughout New England, attached to hard surfaces. M. senile catches small organisms floating past, consuming copepods and various larvae. This type of sea anemone is also a protandric hermaphrodite, meaning it begins its life as a male and changes to female as it matures. 

Blue Mussel (Mytilus edulis)

Photo by Dr. Keith Hiscock

The blue mussel often grows on docks, buoys, and pilings throughout New England. Blue mussel shells are teardrop shaped, and range in colors from black, dark blue, and brown. Mussels are an important species for maintaining water quality as they remove excess nutrients from the water, however they are also likely to be impacted by ocean acidification due to climate change. 

Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus)

Photo by Lorraine Minns

Massachusetts is a breeding hub for these iconic birds who are threatened both federally and statewide. Nesting on beaches and dunes, they experience threats due to development, human disturbances, predators, and stormtides, all of which decrease suitable habitat or curtail breeding success. Though the piping plover is protected under the Endangered Species Act, rising sea-levels and storm events driven by climate change continue to be a threat to plover populations. 

American Oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus)

Photo by Rob Sabatini

The American oystercatcher is a large shorebird who feeds on marine invertebrates. While they are not a common species along Massachusetts’ coasts, their population is increasing as their habitat range expands due to climate change and habitat availability, though is also speculated that these shorebirds are re-occupying habitat lost during European colonization rather than newly expanding their range. Like many other coastal birds, the American oystercatcher is threatened by habitat loss due to climate change and development, and has been designated as a Species of High Conservation Concern.

Northern Quahog (Mercenaria mercenaria)

Photo by Julie Rose

The quahog is a hard-shelled clam found along the coast from Canada to Florida who has a rich historical connection with Indigenous coastal communities. Today, quahogs are harvested both commercially and recreationally for the fishing industry, though they can only support low levels of fishing. Like other bivalves, quahogs are filter-feeders who remove excess nutrients and improve water quality.

Northern Moon Snail (Euspira heros)

Photo by Alex Shure

Moon snails are highly predatory snails who can grow to about 10 cm long and who are identifiable by smooth shells marked with a whorl. They are known to hunt slower mollusks, drilling a round hole into the shell of their prey. When moon snails reproduce, females burrow beneath the surface of the sand, coats her foot in a layer of mucus to bind together the sand and eggs, and leaves behind a “sand collar” which can sometimes be spotted on the beach. 

Razor Clam (Ensis leei)

Photo by David S. Johnson

The razor clam is easy to identify due to its long thin shell. This shape paired with their strong muscular foot makes the razor clam an especially mobile bivalve species who can burrow very deep into the sand. The motion used to burrow also allows razor clams to swim or jump through the water to escape from predators, or to find more suitable conditions. Despite their mobility, razor clams often inhabit nearshore areas, which makes them susceptible to pollutant contamination. 

American Lobster (Homarus americanus)

Photo by Oceana

The American lobster is the largest species of lobster which lives on the sea floor in habitats that provide shelter such as seagrass beds, reefs, and mud. These lobsters support some of the most valuable fisheries on the Atlantic coast, however their population faces challenges due to environmental changes, particularly regarding temperature. 

Atlantic Sea Scallop (Placopecten magellanicus)

Photo by NOAA Fisheries

Atlantic sea scallops are generally found at depths of 18 to 110 m and often aggregate in beds on firm sand, rock, and shells. They are one of the most commercially important fishery species, with Massachusetts being one of the primary harvesters. Scallops feed on phytoplankton and small organisms, helping to improve water quality through filtration. 

Atlantic Horseshoe Crab (Limulus polyphemus)

Photo by Tracy Barbaro

Despite their name, horseshoe crabs are not actually crabs! They are actually arthropods and are more closely related to spiders or scorpions. Horseshoe crabs have a range of suitable habitats depending on what point they are in their life cycle, with mature adults generally residing up to the edge of the continental shelf unless mating. Horseshoe crabs are also known for their use in the biomedical industry, as their blood is used to test equipment and supplies for bacteria. Likewise, the species is regarded to be particularly vulnerable to climate change regarding temperature, acidification, and sea-level rise. 

Eelgrass (Zostera marina)

Eelgrass provides a range of ecosystem functions, including improving water quality, storing carbon, preventing erosion, and providing habitat and shelter for other marine life. Degradation to eelgrass beds has primarily occurred due to development, dredging, and pollution, but efforts are currently being undertaken to restore eelgrass populations to Salem Sound. 

Rockweed (Ascophyllum nodosum)

Photo by Kare Telnes

Rockweed is a species of brown algae that grows on hard surfaces, including dock pilings, rocks, and shells. In addition to providing sheltered habitat and serving as a food source for other species, rockweed also helps to regulate dissolved CO2. This process assists in managing water quality. 

Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

Photo by Amanda Boyd

Also known as the common seal, harbor seals are the most widely distributed pinniped species. When they are not traveling or foraging, harbor seals rest on rocks and beaches to regulate their body temperature, care for their pups, and interact with other seals. They also haul out of the water to avoid predators. In addition to natural predators, harbor seals are threatened by human actions, including habitat degradation, contamination, vessel collisions, and marine entanglement.  

Common Moon Jellyfish (Aurelia aurita)

Photo by Sue Scott

Moon jellyfish are almost entirely translucent and feed on medusae, plankton, and mollusks. While they do have short tentacles, their sting has little to no effect on humans as their nematocysts—their stinging cells—are too weak to affect human skin. 

Atlantic Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis)

Photo by Alex Shure

The Atlantic striped bass is identifiable by its seven to eight horizontal stripes. They can grow up to 5 feet in length, with females generally growing larger than males. Though many Atlantic striped bass live in the ocean, migrating north and south seasonally, they return to freshwater in the spring to spawn. 

Lion's Mane Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata)

Photo by John Tlumacki

Lion’s mane jellyfish are one of the largest varieties of jellyfish, named for its long mane of brown to reddish tentacles that can reach up to 3 m in length. The nematocysts on the lion’s mane jelly are especially powerful and are used to help catch its prey—though its sting can be painful to humans as well! Lion’s mane jellies are also continual swimmers and, when aided by favorable currents, can travel significant distances. 

Bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix)

Also known as tailor or snapper elves, blue fish are blue and silver fish with very sharp teeth. Bluefish are schooling fish who feed on the surface of schools of bait fish. Despite their predatorial nature, bluefish are hunted by tuna, sharks, seals, and porpoises. In Massachusetts, bluefish inhabit inshore water from spring to fall before migrating south and offshore in the cooler months.