HomeMy WebLinkAboutDMF commennt 11-30-22The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries
251 Causeway Street, Suite 400, Boston, MA 02114
p: (617) 626-1520 | f: (617) 626-1509
www.mass.gov/marinefisheries
CHARLES D. BAKER KARYN E. POLITO BETHANY A. CARD RONALD S. AMIDON DANIEL J. MCKIERNAN
Governor Lt. Governor Secretary Commissioner Director
November 30, 2022
Yarmouth Conservation Commission
1146 Route 28
South Yarmouth, MA 02664
Dear Commissioners:
The Division of Marine Fisheries (MA DMF) has reviewed the Notice of Intent (NOI) by Kerry
King to replace a wooden pile associated with the existing pier, ramp, and float system at 8 Tide
Lane within the Parkers River in the Town of Yarmouth. The project was reviewed with respect
to potential impacts to marine fisheries resources and habitat.
The project site is near mapped shellfish habitat for American oyster (Crassostrea virginica).
Waters within the project site have habitat characteristics suitable for this species. Land
containing shellfish is deemed significant to the interest of the Wetlands Protection Act (310
CMR 10.34) and the protection of marine fisheries.
The Parkers River has been identified by MA DMF as diadromous fish passage, migration,
and/or spawning habitat for alewife (Alosa pseudoharengus), American eel (Anguilla rostrata),
Atlantic tomcod (Microgadus tomcod), and white perch (Morone americana).
The Bass River acts as winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) spawning habitat.
Winter flounder enter the area and spawn from January through May; demersal eggs hatch
approximately 15 to 20 days later. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has
designated winter flounder spawning habitat as a “Habitat Area of Particular Concern” (HAPC).
The 2020 Southern New England/Mid Atlantic management track stock assessment indicates
that although overfishing is not occurring, the stock remains overfished. Spawning stock biomass
in 2019 was estimated to be 32% of the biomass target [1]. Given the status of the winter
flounder stock, every effort should be made to protect the species and its spawning habitat.
MA DMF offers the following comments for your consideration:
• The pile to be replaced should be fully removed from the substrate - rather than cut at the
base – since the area could be suitable shellfish habitat [2].
• Any activities requiring a barge should be restricted to 2 hours before and after high tide
to prevent barge grounding in mapped shellfish habitat.
Questions regarding this review may be directed to Amanda Davis in our New Bedford office at
Amanda.davis@mass.gov.
Sincerely,
Amanda Davis
Environmental Analyst
MA Division of Marine Fisheries
cc:
Brad Holmes, Environmental Consulting & Restoration LLC
John Logan, Emma Gallagher, MA DMF
Robert Boeri, CZM
AD/eg
References:
1. ASMFC. 2020. Southern New England Mid-Atlantic Winter Flounder 2020 Assessment
Update Report. http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/6008bd822020_SNE-
MA_WinterFlounderAssessmentUpdate.pdf
2. Logan, J.M., A. Boeri, J. Carr, T. Evans, E.M. Feeney, K. Frew, F. Schenck, and K.H.
Ford. 2022. A review of habitat impacts from residential docks and recommended Best
Management Practices with an emphasis on the northeastern United States. Estuaries
Coasts 45: 1189–1216. https://www.mass.gov/doc/dock-bmp-
recommendations/download