Volunteers needed for annual herring count 2-15-14
Volunteers Needed for Annual Herring Count
Patriot Ledger
Posted Feb. 15, 2014 @ 6:00 am
The North and South Rivers Watershed Association is seeking volunteers to count herring from April 1 through May 31.
The association's watershed ecologist, Sara P. Grady, will coordinate the effort on behalf of the Massachusetts Bays National Estuary program.
"Herring numbers have declined recently, and that plays a crucial role in the coastal food web," Grady said. "As a forage fish, they support populations of fish such as striped bass, and birds such as herons and osprey."
Herring populations have been declining in recent years for a variety of reasons. Those reasons include being unable to reach spawning grounds because of dams of non-operational fish ladders. , including an inability to get to their spawning grounds due to dams or non-operational fish ladders.
This study will help identify problems that impede the ability of herring to reach those places.
The counting will occur six to nine times a day between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at four locations:
First Herring Brook in Scituate.
-South River in Marshfield.
-Herring Brook in Pembroke.
-Third Herring Brook in Norwell.
The watershed association hopes volunteers can commit to counting for 10 minutes a few times per week.
The association is making a push for volunteer help for the third consecutive year, but according to Grady, "two years isn't enough time to make any conclusions about population trajectory, so the importance of having consistent counts for many years – and lots of volunteers to help with them – is paramount."
Volunteers must attend one of the training sessions that will be held between Tuesday, March 4, and Thursday, April 3. Time and location will vary, and registering 24 hours in advance will be required.
To volunteer, contact Grady at
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
or call 781-659-8168.