Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC)

Find information on this participatory science 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 scientists, resource managers, and coastal community members to monitor for established marine invasive species. 

Since MIMIC began in 2006, hundreds of trained participants have searched for marine invasive species at more than 180 sites from Rhode Island to Maine.

Monitoring Resources

• Identification Cards - To help detect and monitor marine invasive species, CZM developed species identification cards for 22 established marine invaders.
• 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 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.
• MIMIC Datasheet (PDF, 336 KB) - Datasheet used in the field by MIMIC monitoring groups to record data.
• MIMIC Fact Sheet (PDF, 1 MB) - One-page fact sheet that gives an overview of the MIMIC program, including goals, methods, and other key information.
• MIMIC iNaturalist Project - This page can be used by both MIMIC participants and the general public to view species observations that have been recorded and add their own pictures.
• Flickr Photo Album - CZM’s collection of marine invasive species photos is available on Flickr.

MIMIC Year in Review Report

In 2026, CZM published the first annual MIMIC Year in Review Report (PDF, 17 MB), summarizing the 2025 monitoring season. This report includes an overview of the monitoring season, data summaries by region, links to MIMIC in the news, 2026 program updates, and more.

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

MIMIC would not be possible without the many partners who recruit, coordinate, and train monitoring participants. By monitoring region, current MIMIC partners include:

• Massachusetts - Barnstable Clean Water Coalition, Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park, Boston Harbor Now, Center for Coastal Studies, Eight Towns and the Great Marsh, Jones River Watershed Association, Maria Mitchell Association, Martha's Vineyard Commission, Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group, Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Partnership (MassBays), Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, North and South Rivers Watershed Association, Salem Sound Coastwatch, Stone Living Lab, Tabor Academy, UMass Boston Nantucket Field Station, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 1 Dive Team
• Rhode Island - Rhode Island MIMIC
• New Hampshire - Gundalow Company, Seacoast Science Center, and Star Island
• Maine - Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve
• Canada - Coastal Action and Huntsman Marine Science Centre