Salem Sound Coastwatch

Begun in 1991 as a watch-dog organization, Salem Sound Coastwatch (originally named Salem Sound 2000) has tried to improve Salem's ocean and shore quality. Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency through the state and by private donations, the group tackled the pollution problems from sewage, industrial waste, grease and heavy metals created in tanneries and other factories over the years. A federal study in the late 1980's found Salem Harbor one of the most polluted in the country.

According to their website, "Salem Sound Coastwatch is a non-profit coastal watershed organization that works with government agencies, businesses, other non-profit organizations and citizens from the communities of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Beverly, Danvers, Peabody, Salem, and Marblehead. We work to achieve this mission through municipal partnering, scientific investigation, education, and stewardship."

Some of the improvements in the last 20 years are:

• The South Essex Sewerage District built a secondary wastewater treatment plant, finished in 1997.

• Elimination of all unregulated discharge pipes.

• More boats are on the water and the disposal of their waste is being better managed.

• Smelt are back in the Crane and North rivers.

• The sound is safe for swimming.

• In 2026, Executive Director Barbara Warren stepped down and Gitte Venicx took her place. Venicx brings years of experience in environmental conservation and science-backed community engagement.

In 2026, Salem Sound Coastwatch received a $30K grant from the Healey-Driscoll administration for outreach and to gauge interest in planting free trees on residential property in an effort to expand urban tree canopies in Salem and Lynn. Goals are to improve the aesthetic of neighborhoods, improve air quality, and reduce energy used in households. More information including how to apply to the program can be found at maurbancanopy.org.

See Also

Vertical File in Salem Collection - Salem Harbor- Sound 2000

Salem Sound Coastwatch Official website

• "Sound of Success; Coastwatch marks 20 years protecting Salem's waters" Salem News, Mar. 22, 2011

• "Cleaning up Salem Sound" Salem Evening News, Mar. 1, 1995, p. 4-5

• "A sound investment: Salem Sound 2000 is trying to clean up river beds" Salem Evening News, Dec. 18, 1997, p. C1

• "Salem Sound 2000 study finds high levels of pollution in water" Salem Evening News, June 4, 1999, p. 1

• "Salem Sound Coastwatch announces new executive director" Salem Evening News, April 21, 2026, p. A1

• "Group gets $30K to encourage tree planting" Salem Evening News Sept 2, 2026, p. A01