This is a proposed updated Action Plan in the Buzzards Bay CCMP 2024 Update.

Restoring Migratory Fish Passage and Populations

Problem

In the Buzzards Bay watershed, there are more than 8,000 acres of ponds and hundreds of stream miles. Prior to colonial settlements most of these ponds and streams were likely important habitat for fish species that spent portions of their life cycle in both fresh and marine waters. These diadromous species include river herring (bluebacks and alewife), historically the most predominate species, in many rivers. Other locally important diadromous fish are the eel, white perch, rainbow smelt, and sea run brook trout. All these species have declined dramatically in the Buzzards Bay watershed during the past 200 years. Historically, the declines were largely caused by river obstructions, particularly the widespread construction of milldams during the 19th century, but culvert installation, channelization of streams, loss of bordering tree and shrub vegetation, and pollution and sediment discharges have all been contributing factors. The loss of suitable river spawning habitat (gravel bottom streams with fast moving cool water, for example) has affected many species. Water diversion and pumping for agricultural purposes can impede migrations and result in juvenile fish mortality.

All these species will benefit most appreciably from the elimination of obstructions to migration and the creation of more suitable river and stream spawning habitat. In many cases, dam removal may be the best management option, in other cases, new fish ladder installations may be the only practical solution. Improved water management practices by cranberry growers and preventing excessive drawdowns by municipal water supplies during drought years is important to avoid placing adult and juvenile populations at risk (see the water withdrawals Action Plan).

In the case of river herring, while there were some modest improvements in certain populations toward the end of the twentieth century, offshore fishing pressures, and bycatch takings have resulted in new dramatic declines. Restoration of river herring populations will require rigorous controls of offshore catch. The Weweantic River is called out as it is the largest fish-passage-impaired river in the Buzzards Bay watershed.

Goals and Objectives

Changes: A goal and some objectives were re-worded improve clarity and readability. Four new objectives were added to clarify actions needed to meet the stated goals, including a call to address the largest impaired system, the Weweantic River.

Goal 8.1. Ensure that the migration of fish species between salt and fresh water is unimpeded.
Goal 8.2. Restore degraded stream habitat and functions to ensure the diversity and abundance of fish species in Buzzards Bay streams.
Goal 8.3. Manage fishing impacts on anadromous fish populations to ensure fish harvest and bycatch are sustainable.
Objective 8.1. Ensure adequate funding of state fisheries restoration programs.
Objective 8.2. Ensure that local, state, and federal fisheries regulators improve the management of the catch and bycatch of river herring and other diadromous fish to promote their recovery and population sustainability.
Objective 8.3. Improve passageways and remove impediments and obstructions to fish migration.
Objective 8.4. Ensure adequate stream flow for fish migration.
Objective 8.5. Strengthen drinking water and agriculture withdrawal regulations to ensure adequate flow for the passage of adult migratory fish in the spring and juveniles in the fall, especially during drought conditions. (New)
Objective 8.6. Support monitoring and assessments of stressors affecting anadromous fish populations including stream flow, temperature, and mapping of obstructions and reproductive habitat. (New)
Objective 8.8. Promote measures for nutrient control in freshwater habitats to ensure adequate water quality for fish anadromous fish spawning and recruitment. (New)
Objective 8.9. Support efforts to restore historic fish passage to the Weweantic River above the Tremont Dam. (New)