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News from the Bays
Fall 2013
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Focus on Sea Level Rise Impacts to Great Marsh
The Great Marsh Symposium on November 14th in Ipswich focused on how natural resources can help minimize the potential impacts of sea level rise. Organized and run by the Great Marsh Coalition, of which Mass Bays is a member, the well-attended Symposium gave planners and officials background on how coastal resources will be affected by sea level rise; an understanding of the importance of estuarine restoration to allow natural resources the ability to respond naturally to sea level rise; and tools such as funding sources and mapping software to use as they plan for sea level rise impacts. The information, although tailored to the Great Marsh area, can be applied to other Mass Bays regions. Go to the Coalition's website to view the agenda and presentations (found under the "Resources" tab).
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Record Year for Herring at Stony Brook
2013 marked an exciting year for herring monitoring in Mass Bays' Cape Cod region. Mass Bay's Cape Cod regional partner, the Association to Preserve Cape Cod (APCC), reports that the Stony Brook (Brewster) herring run count results indicate the largest increase in a herring run size estimate since recording began in 2007. The Stony Brook run has received much attention in recent years through salt marsh restoration, the removal of tidal restrictions, and the addition of a fish ladder. It's great to see these efforts may be paying off. For more information see APCC's recent press.
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A Story of Hay Staddles and Gundalows
Investigating the environmental history of the Great Marsh ecosystem is a priority of our Upper North Shore  regional partner, the Merrimack Valley Planning Commission. Using historic ledgers from coastal farmers, local historian Will Winn highlights the critical role the salt marsh played in feeding livestock and supplementing income. This intriguing report will help inform future management decisions. Look for the final report coming soon!
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Making Connections: River Herring Network
A group of about 50 representatives from 19 towns, three state agencies, one federal agency, and four non-profits met on October 24th for the third annual River Herring Network meeting. This group, which got its jumpstart from a 2011 Mass Bays Research & Planning Grant, met to report on the season's herring run counts, assess count methods, and discuss the current regulatory framework and law enforcement concerns. To review the meeting agenda, notes or presentations, go to the Network's website.
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Off Billington Street Dam Removed
Congratulations to the Town of Plymouth and its many partners for removing this dam on Town Brook. Now there is just one dam upstream (Plymco dam) and one downstream (Holmes dam) before the entire length of Town Brook runs unimpeded. Read the press release.
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