Massachusetts
Herring Population Is Booming In Massachusetts | WBZ NewsRadio 1030
ALEWIFE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — It’s a plentiful year for River Herring in Massachusetts.
Daria Santollani is the senior engagement manager at the Mystic Watershed Association, the organization that tracks herring population and migration every year since 2012.
She told WBZ NewsRadio that this year, volunteers reported the highest number of herring passing through the Boston Harbor into the Mystic River, at nearly 815,000.
“It’s just amazing that the largest migration of herring in Massachusetts happens in the most urban watershed,” she said.
In the past, overfishing depleted the herring population. In 2012, the association reported the herring population was only around 21,052.
“Because of interventions like fish ladders at the Mystic Lake dams, we’re starting to see that population come back,” she said.
By 2019, the herring population had grown to nearly 789,000. However, there was a dramatic dip in 2020 with only around 378,000 herrings reported.
According to the association, the state’s Division of Marine Fisheries attributed the decline to the statewide drought in 2016 that caused lower reproduction of the fish.
Despite that setback, the herring population continued to grow every year since, with more than 550,000 reported in 2021, and jumped to nearly 640,000 in 2024.
River herrings are not only an important food source for indigenous people but also play an ecologically significant role in both freshwater and marine food webs.
“The Alewife T station is named Alewife because of this fish,” Santollani added.
She credited the hundreds of volunteers who spend every day counting the herrings passing by during migration season.
“From April through June, seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., [each volunteer] going for an hour to count how many herrings they’re seeing passing the dam,” she continued.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Emma Friedman (@EmmaFriedmanWBZ) reports.
Massachusetts
Joyous occasion: Boston celebrates new beginnings, local pride
Half of the city turned out this weekend to celebrate what’s great about Boston — its people.
On sunny or snowy days, Bostonians will help you out. The Tartan Army from Scotland and Norwegian soccer fans witnessed that last week.
This time, the surprise was all local.
“I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” said George Regan, as he gazed at nearly 300 people who showed up for the christening of his son, George Kenneth Regan IV.
“Teach number four to be a really wonderful person and he’ll teach it to number five,” said former Gov. Charlie Baker, who said that’s the secret to life. Baker himself is the fourth Charlie, with a son the fifth. We all stand on those who came before us, the former governor added.
Work will come around soon enough, but Saturday was a celebration that started at St. Gregory Parish in Dorchester and finished with a reception at Davio’s in the Seaport.
Regan, founder and CEO of the Regan Communications Group, welcomed everyone alongside his wife, Elizabeth, and their new baby boy.
Former Mayor Ray Flynn said it best: Reagan has “stood up for people who needed you.”
There’s not enough ink in this paper to chronicle how connections keep Boston thriving. That’s the space where Regan’s PR firm operates. There are plenty of other similar agencies; it’s just that George Regan has been at the helm of his group since he left former Mayor Kevin White’s office.
Maybe that’s what makes dealing with him so rewarding. Kevin White loved Boston, and that rubbed off on everyone who worked for him.
Former police commissioners Bill Bratton and William “Willie” Gross both spoke as did UMass President Marty Meehan, Denella J. Clark, president and CEO of Boston Arts Academy Foundation, Steve DiFillippo, Davio’s owner, and more.
Former Herald editor Ken Chandler, newly reelected Teamsters President Sean O’Brien, and car magnate Herb Chambers were some of the notables in the crowd.
“Elizabeth and I are honored to welcome our miracle child into the faith alongside the remarkable circle of friends, mentors, and partners who have stood with us through every chapter,” said Regan, who was just recently sick.
But, like Boston, you can’t keep a good man down.
Massachusetts
Howie Carr: Meet another Massachusetts ‘resident’ lugged by the feds
When Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey is informed of the latest scandal, indictment, or attempted billion-dollar bid-rigging etc., she inevitably claims to be as astonished as everyone else.
This article is only available to subscribers
Offer valid for non-subscribers only
Massachusetts
Swimmer pulled from Houghton’s Pond after search
A teenager was pulled from a pond in Milton, Massachusetts, after he went missing while swimming Saturday night.
The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office said the teenaged male was taken to a Boston area hospital following the incident at Houghton’s Pond. It’s unclear how long the teen was under water, and there was no immediate word on his condition.
State police had said earlier that they responded to the pond shortly after 7 p.m. for a person who entered the water and didn’t resurface. State police divers, detectives, troopers, and the Milton Fire Department were all on scene involved in the search.
The DA’s office is conducting an investigation with state police that remains ongoing. Further information is not being released at this time.
This story will be updated when we learn more
-
Nebraska4 minutes agoFour-star wide receiver picks up offer from Nebraska
-
Nevada11 minutes agoArizona wildfires burn thousands of acres as Nevada smoke reaches Kanab
-
New Hampshire14 minutes agoOfficials respond to 'unknown substance' spill at Sunapee Harbor
-
New Jersey18 minutes agoWorld Cup match to impact NJ Transit service during rush hour
-
New Mexico21 minutes agoStables at Tamaya kick-off annual rodeo season featuring rescue horses
-
North Dakota29 minutes ago‘North Dakota 250 Road Trip’ exhibit opens July 1
-
Ohio34 minutes agoCentral Ohio lakes offer strong fishing for summer anglers
-
Oklahoma41 minutes agoWhat channel is Oklahoma vs North Carolina on today? Time, TV schedule for CWS finals