Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC)

Find information on this volunteer monitoring effort organized by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM).

 MIMIC volunteers learn how to identify marine invasive species.

The Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC) brings together volunteers and scientific experts from state, federal, and nonprofit organizations to monitor for marine invasive species along the New England coast. Since MIMIC began in 2006, hundreds of trained volunteers have searched for marine invasive species at more than 140 sites from Rhode Island to Maine.

Monitoring Resources

• Identification Cards - To help detect and monitor marine invasive species, CZM developed species identification cards for 18 common marine invaders in New England.
• MIMIC iNaturalist Project - This page can be used by both MIMIC volunteers and the general public to view species observations that have been recorded and add their own pictures.
• Story Map of Marine Invasive Monitoring Data - This story map provides photos and descriptions of species monitored by MIMIC, maps of where each species has been observed, and additional information.
• MIMIC Datasheet (PDF, 544 KB)
• MIMIC Fact Sheet (PDF, 98 KB)

Contact Information

Please contact us to learn more about the MIMIC Program:

• Lexie Neffinger - Coastal Habitat and Water Quality Specialist
  [e-mail]
  [phone]

MIMIC Partners

The MIMIC monitoring program would not be possible without the many partners who recruit, coordinate, and train volunteers. Current MIMIC partners include the Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park, Center for Coastal Studies, Eight Towns and the Great Marsh, Gundalow Company, Maria Mitchell Association, Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays), Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, New England Aquarium, North South Rivers Watershed Association, Salem Sound Coastwatch, Tabor Academy, UMass Boston Nantucket Field Station, and Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Additional Resources

CZM has generated a variety of resources on marine invasive species in New England, including:

• MIMIC Guidance (PDF, 2 MB) - This guidance document for MIMIC was published by CZM in 2011 and includes detailed information on site selection, monitoring protocols, safety, and identification resources.
• Flickr Photo Album - CZM’s collection of marine invasive species photos is available on Flickr.