Each spring the river herring runs along the entire coast of Massachusetts are monitored by volunteers that spend 10 minutes a visit counting herring and recording environmental data. These data are important for tracking the size of populations. The data are sent to the MA Division of Marine Fisheries for state-wide analysis. Towns, watershed associations, and local non-profit groups also use the data to keep track of how their local runs are doing.
After receiving training, volunteers are expected to commit to a 10 minute time block at least once a week for two months. It is a great way to spend some time in nature and help the herring!
Below is information about who to contact on Cape Cod and the South Shore if you'd like to become a volunteer.
South Shore
Town/River |
Count Organizer |
Phone |
E-Mail |
Kingston- Jones River |
Jones River Watershed Association - Alex Mansfield |
(781) 585-2322 |
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Duxbury - Island Creek |
Town of Duxbury - Steve Donovan |
(508) 813-5676 |
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Plymouth - Town Brook |
Town of Plymouth - Kim Tower |
(508) 747-1620 x198 |
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Plymouth - Herring Brook |
Town of Plymouth - Kim Tower |
(508) 747-1620 x198 |
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Scituate -First Herring Brook |
North & South Rivers Watershed Association - Sara Grady |
(781) 659-8168 |
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Pembroke - Herring Brook |
North & South Rivers Watershed Association - Sara Grady |
(781) 659-8168 |
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Marshfield -South River |
North & South Rivers Watershed Association - Sara Grady |
(781) 659-8168 |
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Cape Cod
Town/River |
Count Organizer |
Phone |
E-Mail |
Barnstable - Centerville River |
Amy Croteau, Natural Resource Officer |
508-790-6272 |
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Barnstable - Marstons Mills River |
3 Bays Preservation |
508-420-0780 |
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Barnstable - Red Lily Pond/Lake Elizabeth |
Tom Kirk, Red Lily Pond Project |
508-790-0835 |
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Brewster - Stony Brook |
Jo Ann Muramoto |
508-362-4226 |
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Dennis - Bound Brook |
Jo Ann Muramoto |
508-362-4226 |
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Brian Everett, Dennis Land Manager |
508-760-6123 |
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Eastham, Bridge Pond |
Jo Ann Muramoto |
508-362-4226 |
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Falmouth - Coonamessett River & Trunk River |
Lou Turner |
508-540-3263 |
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Falmouth - Cedar Lake |
Jo Ann Muramoto |
508-362-4226 |
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Harwich - Hinckleys Pond |
Matt Cannon - HCT |
508-432-3997 |
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Heinz Proft, Natural Resources Director |
508-430-7532 |
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Mashpee- Santuit River, Mashpee River, and Quashnet River |
Jo Ann Muramoto |
508-362-4226 |
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Andrew McManus, Conservation Agent |
(508) 539-1424 x 8539 |
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Orleans - Pilgrim Lake |
Richard Tyldesley |
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Sandwich- Mill Creek |
Jo Ann Muramoto |
508-362-4226 |
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Wellfleet- Herring River |
John Riehl |
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Yarmouth - Tom Matthews Pond |
Jo Ann Muramoto |
508-362-4226 |
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