Volunteers propose mechanical harvest on Namasket River to remove invasive Eurasian milfoil

A group of volunteers from the Herring Fisheries Commission told the Town of Lakeville Conservation Commission that they plan a mechanical harvest this year to remove dense stands of invasive Eurasian milfoil from a slow-moving stretch of the Namasket River.

The volunteers said the targeted section has trapped fish in low-water events and contributed to oxygen loss and localized fish kills. "This is a sample to determine whether or not this mechanical harvester is practical," said Ryan Burgess, a member of the Herring Fisheries Commission, who described prior fish mortalities and the weed's rapid spread.

Why it matters: Commission members and volunteers said the milfoil is expanding across streams in the region and could affect runback for herring and other species. Commission members raised concerns about downstream effects, nearby municipal wells and the river's role as the border between two towns.

What the project would be: The volunteers said they plan to use a conveyor-equipped mechanical…