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Photo Credit: Jeff Hannigan

Resources

Photo Credit: Jeff Hannigan

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Find resources to inform your passion for the local environment and learning.

Horseshoe Crab Community Scientist Training Video and Horseshoe Crab Survey Designed by our Associate Director Alison Frye, this survey is part of our new Horseshoe Crab initiative and will culminate with a celebration of the species on International Horseshoe Crab Day on June 20. Please take this survey if you spot a live, dead, or molt of a horseshoe crab, or see a pair spawning/mating.

Marblehead MVP Report, MVP Risk Matrix and public listening session slide MVP presentation – see more about Marblehead’s resilience work.

Salem MVP Report and MVP Risk Matrix

Manchester-by-the-Sea MVP Report, MVP Risk Matrix, and public listening session MVP slide presentation: Barbara Warren, as a certified Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness provider, worked with the following communities on their Community Resilience Building and MVP designation.

Manchester Coastal Flooding Salem Sound Coastwatch is on the steering committee for this Coastal Vulnerability Action Plan that will develop a conceptual action plan to reduce coastal flood risks and increase coastal resilience at the neighborhood scale for the critical assets – Town Hall, Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the downtown commercial district. Building on past studies, the plan will provide a roadmap to reduce coastal flood risks and develop a phased approach to establishing action-oriented mitigation measures.

Drifters – Ocean Currents in the Gulf of Maine and STEM Education Presented by Alex Borreil, Education & Research Coordinator at Salem Sound Coastwatch, on May 20th, 2026.

Legacy Nutrients Below: Sediment’s Role in Salem Harbor Water Quality Presented by Dr. Brad Hubeny, Professor and Lab Director at Salem State University & Renee Veresh, Manager of Viking Environmental Stable Isotope Lab at Salem Sate University  on April 15th, 2026.  

Beverly ‘s Ghost Gear Challenge: A Winter Recovery Mission Presented by  Capt. Peter Dickman, Beverly Harbor Master on March 18th, 2026.

WinterBirding in Salem Sound Presented by Robert Robert Buchsbaum, recently retired after a 32 year career as a Coastal Ecologist with Mass Audubon and Anna Sheridan, Project Specialist and Greenscapes Coordinator at Salem Sound Coastwatch  on February 18th, 2026.  

Swimming North: How Fish Adapt to Climate Change Presented by Estefany Argueta, PhD Candidate in Dr. Lisa Komoroske’s lab at UMass Amherst on May 21st, 2025.  

Waste Water Treatment for a Cleaner Environment
Presented by David Michelsen, South Essex Sewerage District Executive Director on April 16th, 2025.  

Saving our Shoreline 2025
Presented by Barbara Warren, Salem Sound Coastwatch’s Executive Director on March 19th, 2025.  

Sequencing the Sea
Presented by Jennifer Polinski, Senior Research Associate at the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI) on February 19th, 2025. 

Stone Living Lab’s Living Seawalls Project
Presented Presented by Joe Christo, Managing Director for the Stone Living Lab and Boston Harbor Now Chief Resilience Officer, and Jarrett Byrnes, Associate Professor at UMass Boston, on January 15th, 2025.

Drains, Pains, and Coastal Water Quality
Presented by Barbara Warren, SSCW Executive Director, Susan Marsh, SSCW Community Engagement Manager, and Rebecca Dupont-Coutu, Senior Project Scientist at New England Civil Engineering on April 10th, 2024.

Saving Our Shoreline 2024: Building Resilience across Salem Sound Communities
Presented by Barbara Warren, Executive Director at SSCW, on March 20th, 2024.

School to Sea: Spawning Future Environmental Leaders
Presented by Carly McIver, School to Sea Director at SSCW, on February 21st, 2024.

Marine Invaders on the Move

Presented by Alison Frye, SSCW Associate Director, and Lexie Neffinger, Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Specialist at the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), on January 17th, 2024.

Horseshoe Crabs: An Ancient Species in the Modern World
Presented by Alison Frye, SSCW Associate Director, on April 19th, 2023.

What’s Happening at Cat Cove Marine Lab – Past, Present, and a Very Bright Future
Presented by Mike Armstrong, Deputy Director of Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (MADMF) at Cat Cove Marine Laboratory, on March 15th, 2023.

Shoebert’s Shenanigans and Other Seal Stranding Stories
Presented by Ainsley Smith, Regional Marine Mammal Stranding Coordinator at the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on February 15th, 2023.

Saving Our Shoreline 2023: Building Resilience across Salem Sound Communities
Presented by Barbara Warren, Executive Director at SSCW, on January 18th, 2023.

Setting Baseline for Water Quality and Benthic Conditions in Salem Sound
Presented by Prassede Vella, Staff Scientist at MassBays National Estuary Partnership, on May 18th, 2022.

Eelgrass: Science to Inform Policy
Presented by Emily Flaherty, former School to Sea Director at SSCW, on April 20th, 2022.

Ensuring Wildlife and Habitat Protection as Offshore Wind Power Becomes a Reality
Presented by Amber Hewett, Offshore Wind Energy Program Director at the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), on March 16th, 2022.

What’s Causing the Murky Water in Salem Harbor?
Presented by Dr. Brad Hubeny, Lab Director of the Viking Environmental Stable Isotope Laboratory (VESIL) at Salem State University, and Renee Veresh, Laboratory Manager of VESIL, on February 16th, 2022.

Saving Our Shoreline 2022: Building Resilience across Salem Sound Communities
Presented by Barbara Warren, Executive Director at SSCW, on January 19th, 2022.

Talking Trash for Clean Oceans Internship Update
Presented by Margaret Tran, former School to Sea Director & Greenscapes Coordinator at SSCW, and Salem & Lynn High School Students, on April 28th, 2021.

Geologic History and Evolution of the North Shore
Presented by Dr. Lindley Hanson, professor emerita at Salem State University, on February 24th, 2021.

Massachusetts Coastal Resources at Risk: Ada K. Damon Shipwreck on Steep Hill Beach, Ipswich
Presented by David Robinson, Director and Chief Archaeologist for the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources (BUAR), on January 27th, 2021.

Sea Scallops on Acid: How Will Ocean Acidification Impact New England’s Most Charismatic Bivalve?
Presented by Louise Cameron, Northeastern University PhD candidate, on January 29th, 2020.

Marine Invasive Species Report – 2008-2024: 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. 

Horseshoe Crab Report – 2023-2025: The Horseshoe Crab Survey is an initiative utilizing volunteer community scientists to report horseshoe crab sightings through a digital app. Salem Sound Coastwatch (SSCW) and our volunteers have been collecting data on the population of North Shore horseshoe crabs for the past two years, which has allowed us to gain new insights into the trends and behaviors unique to our local population of horseshoe crabs. 

Pickman Park, Salem Phragmites Study– 2007-2017: Salem State University Biology professor, Dr. Alan Young and his students worked with SSCW to test three methods of Phragmites australis removal.

Residential Docks over Eelgrass and Salt Marsh–Assessing the Impacts: Regulations, impacts, BMPs and research associated with small docks over sensitive coastal habitats were discussed at the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions Annual Environmental Conference, 10/24/2020. Speakers: Jill Carr – MassBays, Kate Frew and John Logan from DMF and Barbara Warren -SSCW and MassBays.

Multi-faceted monitoring of estuarine turbidity and particulate matter provenance– Case study from Salem Harbor: Science of the Total Environment (2017), pp. 629-641. Bradford Hubeny, Melanie Kenney, Barbara Warren, Jeremy Louisos. DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.081. USA Article reference: STOTEN20907 
Final version published online: 14-OCT-2016 

Multi-Century Record of Anthropogenic Impacts on an Urbanized Mesotidal Estuary– Salem Sound, MA: Estuaries and Coasts, Journal of the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation (March 2018) Volume 41, Issue 2, pp 404-420. J. Bradford Hubeny, Ellen Kristiansen, Andrew Danikas, Jun Zhu, Francine M. G. McCarthy, Mark G. Cantwell, Barbara Warren, Douglas Allen. DOI: 10.1007/s12237-017-0298-y. Published online: 7 August 2017. 

Rising Sea:  SSCW partnered with Maritime Gloucester and Friends of Good Harbor on the Bruce J. Anderson funded project: RISING SEA. Seasonal monitoring began in August 2014 with the assistance of trained student interns and local citizens to collect long-term data to identify impact of sea level rise on marsh functions. 

Old Creek Salt Marsh Report–  SSCW Completed the Old Creek Salt Marsh Assessment and Management plan for Salem State University as part of their Phase III: Restoration Assessment and Strategy. Seasonal monitoring took place from August 2009 through June 2011 with the assistance of trained SSU student interns and local citizens. 

Clark Pond, Manchester Wetlands Assessment: In 2010, SSCW conducted pre-restoration vegetation, nekton, and salinity monitoring and again in 2011 after the tidal restrictions were removed. The project was funded by the MA Division of Ecological Restoration.

Upper Mill River Clam Study – 2008-2010: SSCW conducted a benthic survey to monitor changes in the Mill River intertidal zone (formerly an impoundment) after the tide gate in Gloucester was opened.

Lobster Trap Fouling Study – 2010: Through a partnership with local commercial lobstermen and funding from MA CZM, SSCW was able to expand coastal monitoring of marine invasive species to the deeper waters of Salem Sound. Fouling organisms on traps were identified and cataloged, with some interesting results. 

Pickman Park, Salem Phragmites Study – 2007-2011: Salem State University Biology professor, Dr. Alan Young and his students worked with SSCW to test three methods of Phragmites australis removal.

Tufts University Department of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning Has completed the following four projects for Salem Sound Coastwatch:

      1. Planning for Effective Pond Management in the Salem Sound Watershed 2010 (PDF 5.2 MB)
      2. Climate Change: Ready or Not Report – May 2008 (PDF 3.8 MB)
      3. Creating a New Place: A Concept Plan for 15 Peabody Street 2007 (PDF 32 MB)
      4. Nurturing the Recovery of the North River: A Practical Vision 2004: Download the report (PDF 22 MB) and  Appendices & References  (PDF 7 MB)

A Citizen’s Guide to Monitoring Marine Invasive Species Created by SSCW to provide online help for our volunteers and others to learn about marine invasive species identification and monitoring.

Upper Mill River Clam Study – 2008-2010 Salem Sound Coastwatch conducted a benthic survey to monitor changes in the Mill River intertidal zone (formerly an impoundment) after the tide gate in Gloucester was opened.

Upper Mill River Clam Study Presentation – 2008-2010 Salem Sound Coastwatch conducted a benthic survey to monitor changes in the Mill River intertidal zone (formerly an impoundment) after the tide gate in Gloucester was opened.

“Using Green Infrastructure to Treat and Control Stormwater in Coastal Communities”: Guidance document developed by MassBays in partnership with EPA, December 2014. EPA 842-R-14-004

Final Pathogen TMDL for the North Coastal Watershed March 2012 (Control Number CN: 155.0)

Life History and Populaltion Dynamics of Green Crabs (Carcinus maenas) Young, A.M., Elliott, J.A. Fishes 2020, 5(1)., 4; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes5010004. Dec 31, 2019.

Seasonal catch, size, color, and assessment of trapping variables for the European green crab in Salem Sound Young, A.M., Elliott, J.A., Incatasciato, J.M. & Taylor, M.L. 2017. Seasonal catch, size, color, and assessment of trapping variables for the European green crab Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus, 1758) (Brachyura: Portunoidea: Carcinidae), a nonindigenous species in Massachusetts, USA. Journal of Crustacean Biology 1-15 doi:10.1093/jcbiol/rux068

Historic eelgrass trends in Salem Sound, Massachusetts Final Report Jillian Carr and Kathryn Ford. Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Submitted to Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program. June 2017.

The Marine Resources of Salem Sound, 1997 Technical Report TR-6, MA DMF, DFWELE, EOEA by Bradford C. Chase, Jeffrey H. Plouff, and Wayne M. Castonguay (PDF 5.6 MB). A wealth of Salem Sound information!

Fate and Transport Modeling of Contaminants in Salem Sound 2001 ASA Report 00-031. Report to the Marine Monitoring and Research Technical Series, MMRTS-01-01. (PDF 14 MB) Hydrodynamic simulations of Salem Sound to predict the fate and transport of wastewater effluent and contaminants from the South Essex Sewage District (SESD) in Salem Sound (1985).

Rainbow smelt (Osmerus mordax) spawning habitat on the Gulf of Maine coast of Massachusetts 2006 by Bradford C. Chase. Technical Report TR-30, MA DMF, DFWELE, EOEA

2010 Massachusetts Bays Program State of the Bays Report tracks the condition of seventeen indicators of the health of Massachusetts and Cape Cod Bays under the categories of Water Quality, Living Resources, and Human Uses and Planning, and reports on such topics as changes in the water chemistry of Boston Harbor due to improved wastewater management, causes of Harmful Algal Blooms, trends in eelgrass beds throughout Massachusetts Bay, and acreage of land protected since our last State of the Bays Report.  The first State of the Bays publication, released in 2004, is also available at the above web site.

Inventory of Public Seawalls and Other Structures Prepared for the MA Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) from 2006 to 2009, the Massachusetts Coastal Infrastructure Inventory and Assessment Projectreports include condition ratings and estimated repair or reconstruction costs for publically owned seawalls, revetments, groins, jetties, and other structures.

25th Anniversary Symposium – 2016 “Finding Solutions to our Coastal Challenges” — Presentations on local coastal resilience case studies, dredging, moorings in eelgrass, salt marshes, sea level rise, and SSCW’s monitoring.  

Greenscapes Low Impact Development (LID) Toolkit Developed by the Greenscapes North Shore Coalition to spread awareness of LID and its importance in our communities in the North Shore of Massachusetts and across the state.

EPA Urban Runoff: Low Impact Development (LID) Developed by the EPA to implement LID principles and practices.

University of New Hampshire Stormwater Center UNH developed a dynamic research, testing and educational facility which serves as a technical resource for water managers, planners, and design engineers in New England and throughout the United States.

Pepperweed: New Watershed Invasive Plant and How to Identify Perennial Pepperweed from May through Late Fall Developed by Salem Sound Coastwatch and New Hampshire Coastal Program.

Videos

Building Rain Gardens to Treat Storm Water 

Spanish Translation

Produced by Salem Sound Coastwatch, filmed by Perry Hallinan, and funded by MA Office of Coastal Zone Management. 

Rain Gardens at Work 

Spanish Translation

Produced by Salem Sound Coastwatch, filmed by Perry Hallinan, and funded by MA Office of Coastal Zone Management. 

Peabody-Salem Resilient North River Corridor & Riverwalk Connection Public Forum

Most recent public meeting on the ongoing North River Corridor & Riverwalk Connection Project, funded by an MVP Action grant and developed in collaboration with the Peabody and Salem Planning Departments.

Salem’s Industrial Heritage Along a Changing Shoreline

Part of Preservation in a Changing Climate 2021: Keeping History Above Water Salem, this walking tour features SSCW’s Executive Director Barbara Warren and Vijay Joyce, founder of Rekindled History.

Salem’s Colonial Maritime Sites & Rising Tides 

Part of Preservation in a Changing Climate 2021: Keeping History Above Water Salem, this walking tour features SSCW’s Executive Director Barbara Warren and David Moffat, Lead Researcher & Senior Tour Guide at the House of the Seven Gables.

Greening the Gateway Cities MA Urban Canopy Project: How to Take Care of Your New Tree 
Developed by Salem Sound Coastwatch as part of a grant from Greening the Gateway Cities, and in partnership with DCR Forestry.

Talking Trash 4 Clean Oceans 
Produced by Van Ness Creative. Talking Trash 4 Clean Oceans is a high school internship held by Salem Sound Coastwatch. Students who take part learn about marine debris and it’s affects and develop service learning projects to help prevent marine debris.

The Canary in the Coal Mine – Our Ocean 
Dr. Mike Armstrong of the MA Division of Marine Fisheries describes the changes taking place in our ocean due to climate change. Excerpted from his March 2014 presentation, “Changing Climate, Changing Fishes” at Salem Sound Coastwatch’s Underwater in Salem Sound Lecture Series.

A Climate Calamity in the Gulf of Maine Part 2: Acid in the Gulf 
A short animation about the potential impact of ocean acidification on sea life in the Gulf of Maine. Produced with support from Maine Sea Grant, Dalhousie University, MEOPAR (Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response Network), NERACOOS (The Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems) and NECAN (Northeast Coastal Acidification Network).

Green Stormwater Infrastructure Maintenance Videos 
SSCW developed six videos in English & Spanish for the City of Salem and MA Coastal Zone Management on how to maintain rain gardens, bioswales, and other practices to clean stormwater before it enters Salem Sound.

    1. Inspection and Maintenance of Rain Gardens
      Vídeo en Español
    2. Forest River Park Green Stormwater Bioretention System
      Vídeo en Español
    3. Winter Island High Performance Biofiltration System 
      Vídeo en Español
    4. Commercial Street High Performance Biofiltration System 
      Vídeo en Español
    5. Catch Basin Filter Cartridge Replacement
      Vídeo en Español
    6. Inspection and Maintenance of Catch Basins with Filter-Bag Inserts
      Vídeo en Español

Residential Docks over Eelgrass and Salt Marsh: Assessing the Impacts 
Regulations, impacts, BMPs, and research associated with small docks over sensitive coastal habitats were discussed at the Massachusetts Association of Conservation Commissions Annual Environmental Conference, 10/24/2020. Speakers: Jill Carr – MassBays, Kate Frew and John Logan from DMF and Barbara Warren -SSCW and MassBays.

The Power of Salt Marshes 
Barbara Warren shares the importance of salt marshes on Chronicle’s show on Salt (WCVB Channel 5).

Marblehead Coastal Resilience Projects
Marblehead Municipal Light Department and Adjoining Public Lands Coastal Resilience Adaptation Strategies (MA CZM grant FY2022) Updated Flood Risk Analysis (3/28/22 ) and Final Project Presentation (6/9/22). 

Peabody Coastal Resilience Projects
Salem Sound Coastwatch was a participant in the City of Peabody’s Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Action Plan and continues to work with Peabody primarily on North River projects like Municipal Solutions for Stormwater Problems.

Salem Coastal Resilience Projects
Salem Sound Coastwatch worked with partners and City of Salem on videos that address the changing climate and landscape and inform the public.

    1. Mapping Future Flooding Risks for Salem (10/26/2020)

    2. Derby Wharf – Resiliency on Salem’s Maritime Waterfront (9/9/2021)

    3. Collins Cove to Willows Resilience Study (FY23 – MVP funding)

    4. History of Collins Cove: 1700’s to Present

 

Sawmill Brook Survey Training Session Recording (10/6/21)
The Sawmill Brook Survey was repeated in 2009 and most recently in 2021. Volunteers are trained in what to observe as they walk along the stream.

Sawmill Brook: A Visual Survey (2020)
Learn about Saw Mill Brook in the Town of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA.

Winter Island Park Rain Garden (2019) 
The Greenscapes North Shore Coalition and Mary Melilli developed this video on the construction of the rain garden at Winter Island Park in Salem.

Story Maps

Beverly Coastal Resilience Projects 
Salem Sound Coastwatch completed story maps to summarize both projects: Obear Park at 145 Livingstone Avenue for feasibility assessment and conceptual designs for green infrastructure, and a vulnerability assessment and feasibility study for the Beverly Sewerage Pump Station at 135 Water Street. For more information, see Beverly’s Climate Resilience and Adaptation webpage.

Collins Cove Living Shoreline Project
SSCW is working with the City of Salem to find natural approaches to mitigating coastal erosion and flooding problems. Two story maps explain the Collins Cove salt marsh enhancement project: Part One includes historical maps and the design and permitting process. Part Two covers the construction, planting, maintenance, and monitoring. Salem Sound Coastwatch recruited volunteers to plant the salt marsh plants and continues to monitor and maintain the site.

Discover Eelgrass in Salem Sound 
This story map has a wealth of information about this critical resource for Salem Sound’s ecological health.

Acidic Waters
This story map explains SSCW’s citizen monitoring program that is building a baseline of pH levels from North Shore coastal flats, in an effort to bring this serious issue to the forefront through field data collection and public lectures.

Drain SmART 
A story map of the storm drain murals artists painted across Salem to spread the word on stormwater pollution.

Salem Street Tree Assessment – Pilot Project
SSCW created an interactive story map for Salem’s street trees along entrance corridors: species, condition and maintenance needs. More on trees.

Unexpected Bryozoan (Tricellaria inopinata)

Photo by Frédéric Andre

Unexpected bryozoans are cream or tan and can be identified by a “crunchy” feeling when squeezed. They are native to the Western Pacific and were first reported in Massachusetts in 2010. Observations of the unexpected bryozoan in Massachusetts indicate that it competes with native bryozoans, though other ecological impacts have not been identified.

Sheath Tunicate (Botrylloides violaceus)

Sheath tunicates range in color, from bright orange, red, yellow, cream, and purple. In New England, the sheath tunicate was first reported in the 1980s, spreading from its native environment in the Northwest Pacific. It is a pervasive fouling organism that has displaced both native and invasive tunicates, as well as other fouling organisms, as they compete for space and food. Sheath tunicates are also known to adversely affect eelgrass, a species which is being restored in Salem Sound.

Sea Vase (Ciona intestinalis)

Photo by Dr. Keith Hiscock

Sea vases are solitary tunicates that are transparent with some light, variable color and a ringed yellow siphon. Some evidence points to sea vases originating in Europe, though they were reported in Massachusetts beginning in the 1830s.

Sea Potato (Colpomenia peregrina)

Sea potatoes are brown, bubble-shaped algae that can grow to be up to 4 inches wide. They are referred to as “oyster thieves” because when they fill with water, they can carry attached oysters away from beds. Though native to the Northwest Pacific, they were first reported in New England in the early 2010s. Its ecological impact on native species is currently under review, but it is considered as a pest to oyster fisheries and may be a competitor with native seaweeds.

Sea Lemon Nudibranch (Doris pseudoargus)

The sea lemon nudibranch is named for its oval shape, bumpy texture, and variable yellow color. They can grow up to 4.5 inches long and were first reported in Massachusetts in 2017. Known to feed only on sponges, two species of which are found in the Gulf of Maine, this nudibranch could have impacts on sponge communities.

Purple Bushy Bryozoan (Bugula neritina)

The native range of purple bushy bryozoan is unresolved, but it was first collected in Massachusetts in the late 1800s. It is soft to the touch, and ranges in color from deep purple to brownish red. Purple bushy bryozoan is a fouling organism that can be found on fixed structures and aquaculture nets and cages. This species of bryozoan is tolerant to copper-based antifouling paints, which may give it a competitive edge over other fouling species. Additionally, the purple bushy bryozoan has been observed to have higher survival rates in above average temperatures compared to native tunicates.

Pink-Spotted Anemone (Aiptasiogeton eruptaurantia)

Photo by SERC Fisheries

The pink-spotted anemone is known as a range-expanding species, as its range has moved northward in the Atlantic due to climate change. It has not been observed in New England outside of Rhode Island, where it was reported in 2010.

Orange-Striped Anemone (Didadumene lineata)

Orange-striped anemones often grow in clusters close to the surface of the water, attaching to rocks, docks, and vegetation. Their body column is green to brown with vertical orange, white, or tan stripes. Native to the Northwest Pacific, orange-striped anemones were first reported in New England in the late 1800s. Despite its status as a marine invader, there are no reported ecological impacts in its non-native range.

Pancake Batter Tunicate (Didemnum vexillum)

Pancake batter tunicate is named for its distinctive tan to orange appearance, which can often form long tendrils resembling drips of pancake batter. It is a rapidly spreading tunicate that can inundate shellfish, algae, rocks, and other sessile organisms. It was first reported in New England in the late 1990s, though it is native to the Northwest Pacific. This tunicate is a significant threat to benthic species due to its aggressive nature which allows it to dominate competition for resources and smother native species.

Lacy Crust Bryozoan (Membranipora membranacea)

The lacy crust bryozoan is an encrusting white or light-gray bryozoan that forms a lace-like layer on native kelp. In doing so, it shades and weakens seaweeds, making them more susceptible to tearing and breaking. Lacy crust bryozoans often overgrow native bryozoan species and reduce available fish habitat in kelp beds. Lacy crust bryozoan is native to European waters but was first reported in New England in 1987.

Pacific Skeleton Shrimp (Caprella mutica)

Pacific skeleton shrimp are mottled red with small spines along the back half of their bodies. They’re native to the Northwest Pacific but were first reported in New England in 2000. Known ecological impacts of skeleton shrimp are limited, however some observations suggest that they can displace native species, affect the feeding of native fishes, and interfere with aquaculture, specifically pertaining to mussels.

Devil's Tongue Weed (Grateloupia turuturu)

Devil’s tongue weed is pink, red, or reddish brown and is one of the largest known red algae. It is characterized by a distinctly slippery texture. Devil’s tongue weed is native to the Northwest Pacific but was first reported in New England in the 1990s. On the East Coast, Devil’s tongue weed was observed to support fewer invertebrates and epiphytes than native red algae.

Golden Star Tunicate (Botryllus schlosseri)

Despite its name, the golden star tunicate can range in color from blue-black, green, violet, brown, red, orange, and yellow. It is distinguishable by the appearance of star-like clusters. Its origin is unknown, but it was first recorded in Boston in the 1830s. The golden star tunicate is an abundant fouling organism, who competes for space with native species and poses a threat particularly to native eelgrass.

Rockpool Shrimp (Palaemon elegans)

Rockpool shrimp are mostly translucent, with neon blue rings are their claws, dark red bands on their body, and orange or blue bands on their legs. Native to the Northeast Atlantic, they were first reported in Salem in 2010. Rockpool shrimp may displace native species, though other ecological impacts have not been reported.

Flat Oyster (Ostrea edulis)

The flat oyster is native to the Northeast Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Black Sea. They were first introduced to New England in the mid-1900s. Though the flat oyster does not have any reported impacts on native species, they are subject to many diseases and are regarded as difficult to raise due to periodic die-offs related to parasites.

European Green Crab (Carinus maenas)

Native to the Northeast Atlantic, the green crab has been introduced multiple times to New England, with initial reports dating to the mid-1800s. Green crabs are typically dark green to green-yellow and have 5 spines on both sides with 3 between their eyes. Historically, green crabs have threatened soft-shell clams, quahog clams, and other shellfish populations in New England.

European Sea Squirt (Ascidiella aspersa)

Photo by Daniel Rodrigues

First reported in New England in the early 1980s, this sea squirt is native to the Northeast Atlantic. They are thin, semi-translucent, with a bumpy surface. In its invaded range, the European sea squirt competes with native species for space and has been reported to foul aquaculture gear.

Jelly Crust Tunicate (Diplosoma listerianum)

The jelly crust tunicate was first reported in New England in the 1990s, but its native range remains unresolved. It is a milky, grayish tunicate that can feel slimy to the touch. By forming encrusting sheets, the jelly crust tunicate fouls shellfish, seagrasses, crab shells, and other sessile organisms.

Green Fleece (Codium fragile)

Bright green, spongy seaweed that attaches to surfaces in tidepools and shallow coastal waters. Originally found in the Northwest Pacific, green fleece was first reported in the Long Island Sound in the 1950s. Green fleece is responsible for smothering many commercially fished species as it fouls shellfish beds by attaching to their shells.

Club Tunicate (Styela clava)

Native to the Northwest Pacific, club tunicate was first reported in Beverly in 1970. They are characterized by a long, club-shaped body that is mottled and brown. Dense populations of club tunicate foul aquaculture gear and compete with native species for space.

Banded Shore Crab (Hemigrapsus sanguineus)

These crabs are orange-brown, olive green, maroon, or purple, with bands on their legs. They have 3 spines on each side, with none between their eyes. Though native to the Northwest Pacific, they were first reported in the 1990s. The presence of banded shore crabs has led to a decline in the abundance of green crabs, an increase in predation rates, and competition for habitat.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.  

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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! 

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. 

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.