HomeMy WebLinkAbout339 Eel River Road Shellfish Survey 1
TO: Conservation Commission
FROM: Natural Resources, Town of Barnstable
DATE: May 3, 2024
RE: APPLICATION: (N.O.I.), Install float piles
APPLICANT: Maria G and Peter J. Smail, Trs.
81 Beacon St., Unit 5
Boston, MA 02108
LOCATION: 339 Eel River Road
Osterville, MA 02655
REPRESENTATIVE: John O’Dea
Sullivan Engineering & Consulting, Inc.
711 Main Street
Osterville, MA 02655
SHELLFISH SURVEY RESULTS: A shellfish survey was conducted on Wednesday, May
1, 2024, at 1:20PM by Elizabeth Lewis and Ryan Henry of Natural Resources. Low tide
occurred at 12:46PM (height +0.6 ft.). The area of the new pilings and float was examined
for substrate type and shellfish.
Harvest was done by a 3/8” mesh lined bull rake due to the depth of water at the time.
Random sampling was done (9 plots) within the footprint of the float and an estimation of
where the pilings will go since no staking was present on site.
The substrate consisted of large grain sand with organic material mixed in. The sediment
is conducive to settlement and recruitment of shellfish. Each rake pull from the boat
harvested at least one quahog, Mercenaria mercenaria. These quahogs appeared healthy
and ranged in size from 1.5 inches to over 3 inches. I have attached pictures for reference.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: The proposed project is located in the Massachusetts
Division of Marine Fisheries designated growing area (DMF/SC22.0); classified as
approved. This area in general is very productive for shellfish. Natural Resources requests
that before the new pilings are put in place for the float, the shellfish is to be removed and
relocated since the area is so productive and so many quahogs were harvested during the
survey.
Town of Barnstable
Marine and Environmental Affairs Department
1189 Phinney’s Lane, Centerville, MA 02632
Derek Lawson, Director
508-790-6273 / Fax 508-790-6275
www.townofbarnstable.us
Animal Control 508-790-6274 Natural Resources 5 08-790-6272
Harbormaster 508-790-6273 Sandy Neck 508-790-6272
Marinas 508-790-6273 Sandy Neck Gatehouse 508 -362-8300
Moorings 508-790-6273
2
Sincerely,
Elizabeth A. Lewis, Shellfish Biologist
Picture 1: First pull, healthy quahogs
Picture 2: Second pull, healthy quahogs