Abbot Library to host Salem Sound’s Alison Frye lecture

Horseshoe crabs. Alison Frye, Salem Sound Coastwatch (SSCW) Associate Director, is coming to Abbot Public Library for the “Underwater in Salem Sound” lecture on April 19. Photo by Abbot Public Library

Salem Sound Coastwatch Associate Director Alison Frye will represent the local environmental organization and give a lecture on the declining horseshoe crab population titled “Underwater in Salem Sound” at Abbot Public Library from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. on April 19.

“Horseshoe crabs evolved almost 450 million years ago and are considered the ‘living fossils’ of our time, surviving ice ages, asteroids, and five mass extinctions,” a press release from the library said. “Today, they continue to serve an important role, both ecologically and economically, as their eggs provide sustenance for endangered shorebirds and their blue blood is used to advance biomedical research.”

According to the press release, the horseshoe crab population is endangered.

“Alison will discuss the importance of this elusive, prehistoric creature and how we can help it survive the next mass extinction,” the press release said.

This lecture is part of the 2023 “Underwater in Salem Sound” lecture series, which has been sponsored by the SSCW and Abbot Public Library for the past 11 years.

Frye’s main focus at Salem Sound is coastal resilience and habitat restoration projects, according to the press release. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Bates College and a master’s in marine biology from Northeastern University.

“There, her research focused on nature-based solutions for climate adaptation, specifically utilizing living shorelines to mitigate erosion in the Great Marsh,” the press release said. “Before coming to SSCW, Alison was a long-time science teacher and continues to teach a marine and climate science course to high school seniors at Waring School in Beverly.”

Registration to attend the lecture is required and can be done at abbotlibrary.org. There are both in-person and Zoom options available.