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Board hears natural resources update: scallop season closed at 7,410 bushels; pond openings and dredging flagged for follow-up
Summary
Natural resources staff told the Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board that scallop season closed with 7,410 bushels taken, announced upcoming dive surveys and two staff hires, and the board requested a dredging briefing and further review of pond-opening permits to better align with herring runs.
Tara, a natural resources staff member, told the Harbor Shellfish Advisory Board on April 7 that the commercial scallop season had closed and "the most recent number as of today was 7,410 bushels." She said dive surveys to assess seed and substrate condition are scheduled for the second week of May and that a water-quality specialist and a full-time coastal resources technician will begin April 27.
The board heard reports on recent pond openings: Saka Pond opened briefly and Hummock Pond is scheduled to open later in the week. Tara said Saka remained open a short time and staff observed large eels leaving the pond and a few herring attempting to enter, and that staff are discussing a possible escorted reopening with Mass Audubon to avoid disturbing nesting birds.
Members raised concerns that some openings have been timed earlier than historically typical and that Saka Pond required special permission this year because staff were outside the normal permit window. Dave suggested revisiting a long-standing permit for Saka Pond issued in 1993 and said he will contact the state Coastal Zone Management office and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to explore whether the allowable opening window should be adjusted to reflect seasonal shifts in water temperature and fish behavior.
Board members also asked that Vince Murphy be invited to brief the group on the Hither Creek and Opus Harbor dredging plan, including scope, contractor approach, spoil handling and whether dredging will extend to the ditch into Long Pond. Several speakers said restoring or dredging the ditch and fixing culverts could improve flow, reduce TMDLs in ponds and help re-establish river-herring runs if combined with targeted permitting and funding efforts.
The board noted the town has studied these issues previously and urged staff to bring a concise status update and recommended next steps to a future meeting. The chair said he would request Murphy to appear at the next meeting if available.
