Coonamessett Trust Invites Public To See How Herring Are Tagged
Posted: Thursday, April 30, 2015 5:24 pm
ENTERPRISE STAFF
CapeNews.net
The Coonamessett River Trust invites the public to come to observe the tagging of herring on Sunday, May 3, at 3 PM. Volunteers will be tagging herring at the former catch area at the foot of the lower bog.
The trust, along with the town Department of Natural Resources, the conservation commission, University of Massachusetts and US Geological Survey, have tagged about 200 herring with electronic devices that will allow the fish to be monitored as they swim up the river to spawn and again when they return to the ocean. Up to 400 fish will be tagged overall.
Volunteers have been counting herring in the Coonamessett River for over 10 years. Now, with the tagging program, they will also be able to track exactly where in the river system herring go to spawn. The information will allow the DNR to identify which parts of the river system need improvements to help herring spawn.