Biological invasions have emerged as one of the leading environmental threats to our coastal and marine habitats. Marine invasives are species that have moved beyond their natural geographic range, either deliberately or accidentally, often by human activities. These introduced species reproduce in large numbers and outcompete native species for food and space. With no natural controls to keep them in check, these invaders can have damaging effects on our local waters.
Salem Sound Coastwatch has monitored marine invasive species at docks, in tidepools, and along the rocky shore every summer for the past 20+ years with the help of community science volunteers. As a founding member of the Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC), we share the data collected with our volunteers with the MA Office of Coastal Zone Management, who tracks of the abundance of marine invaders along the North Atlantic coast.
We’ve analyzed our long-term monitoring MIMIC dataset, 2008-2024. Read our report that summarizes trends in the presence of marine invaders in Salem Sound over the last 16 years.