Due to drastic declines in river herring populations across the state, the Massachusetts Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission approved a 3-year moratorium on the harvest, possession or sale of river herring from all state waters through 2008. This means no one can take herring from the Trunk River or Oyster Pond for the next three years.

At the hearing held by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) on the proposed closings, I heard some disheartening statistics. While herring populations normally experience cyclical ups and downs, the majority of runs in the state have experienced continuous declines for the past six years. This past spring’s numbers were the worst yet. Runs that normally supported 300,000 fish were down to only 4,000. Some runs had no fish at all. The average run was 20% of what it was 6 years ago.

The exact cause of the population crash is unknown, although a combination of factors is suspected. The drought in 2000 and 2001 probably limited the number of fish entering and exiting their spawning waters. Legal catching in combination with illegal poaching also has some unknown impact .

Offshore pair trawlers might also play a role, as herring populations are falling across the region. River herring might be caught as a “by-catch” of sea herring or other fisheries. Connecticut and New Hampshire have already enacted moratoriums on the taking of river herring. Rhode Island will follow Massachusetts’ lead and also close their runs.

Hopefully the 3-year moratorium will give the herring a chance to rebound. Mike Armstrong of DMF said keeping sufficient water in the streams and rivers herring use for migrating to their natal ponds is the number one priority in maintaining healthy populations.

This highlights the importance of OPET continuing to monitor and maintain Trunk River, Oyster Pond’s conduit to the sea. Our resident herring were one of the few runs to see an increase in population this past spring. Let’s hope we can continue this trend and build up the remnants of this once historic population.

- by Wendi Buesseler

Oyster Pond’s Invaders: Phragmites and Purple Loosestrife Update

This spring the Wetlands Invasives Steering Committee (WISC) will release 10,000 beetles in the Oyster Pond and Salt Pond areas to reduce the exotic invasive plant purple loosestrife. In late summer, OPET is looking for volunteers to help remove the phragmites that are invading Oyster Pond’s shoreline.

Why do we need to use beetles for the loosestrife, why not just cut or treat the plant with herbicides?

Beetles are by far the most efficient method for long-term control of loosestrife. A single plant can produce up to 300,000 seeds annually. These seeds remain viable for years in the soil, ready to sprout at any time.

Why do we need to remove the loosestrife?

The purple flowers are pretty. Unfortunately, purple loosestrife spreads rapidly into wetlands forming impenetrable stands that overrun our native wetland plants. Loosestrife is already rapidly replacing Oyster Pond’s native cattail marshes. With little wildlife value, our neighborhood birds, butterflies and turtles lose their food and shelter sources to this “purple plague”.

Will the beetles attack my garden plants?

Two species of beetles will be released, Galerucella calmariensis and Galerucella pusilla. Both are host specific to loosestrife, meaning they only lay eggs on loosestrife and their larva only feed on loosestrife. Rarely, adults may feed for a short while on other plants. These beetles prefer loosestrife to all other plants. The USDA rigorously tested them for potential impacts prior to approving their use in 1992. Since then dozens of states have used them with much success. The only problem, there are not enough beetles to meet the demand!

How long will it take?

By the second season, the plants will be reduced in size and scope, perhaps up to 80%. It may take 3 to 5 years to completely eradicate or at least control the loosestrife, giving native vegetation a chance to remerge or at least compete.

What about Phragmites? Can we use the beetles for them also?

Sadly, no. Human effort is still needed to control this even more widespread exotic invasive. The canes are cut off in late August and Rodeo, an herbicide similar to Roundup, is dropped into each hollow cane. Phragmites then pull the pesticide deep into its root zone as it prepares for winter. It takes a few years for this to work.

Who will be cutting and removing the phragmites next summer?

OPET volunteers! OPET is organizing a workday in late August to treat the phragmites population ringing Oyster Pond. We enthusiastically welcome all volunteers! If interested, please phone or email and we can add you to our contact list.

- by Wendi Buesseler