On May 1st, the Conservation Commission gave their approval (with agreed upon conditions) for the demonstration project recommended by the Water Quality Management Committee (WQMC) to introduce 1.25 million oysters into Little Pond in June and another 1.25 million in July.
Oysters are known to be a natural means of filtering out both fecal coliform bacteria and nitrogen. They âfeed on microalgae as they grow, and absorb the nitrogen that feeds the algaeâ (6)
In October, the first batch of oysters will be removed and distributed into healthy ponds and harbors in Falmouth for a period long enough for the nitrogen collected to flush out of the oystersâ systems, making them suitable for commercial harvesting. The second batch will remain indefinitely. Both batches are predicted to âremove an estimated 26% of the total seasonal load starting the second year of the programâ(6).
The best descriptions of how this works are in the Enterprise articles 5) and 6) listed below and by watching the WQMC presentation to Conservation Committee on 4/17 http://www.fctv.org/ts/node/359
This project is intended to supplement the sewering of the Little Pond area (Question 1 on the Town Ballot on May 21). Both projects are deemed by the WQMC as needed to repair the most deteriorated estuary in town. Eventually, this should also support future aquaculture in Falmouth.
See Falmouth Enterprise articles:
1. 2/1/2013: âUp to Two Million Oysters Will Be Planted In Little Pond To Remove Nitrogenâ by Brent Runyon
2. 2/15/2013: âBoard Awards Contracts for Oyster Pond Study, Shellfish Propagation (Selectmenâs Meeting Notes)â by Christopher Kazarian
3. 3/15/2013: âForum on Bourneâs, Little Pond Projects Will Invite Questions From Publicâ
4. 3/22/2013: âLittle Pond Oyster Project Critiqued by Conservation Commissionâ by Michael C. Bailey
5. 4/26/2013: âThe Science Behind The Little Pond Shellfish Projectâ by Michael C. Bailey
6. 5/3/1013: âCommission Signs Off On Demonstration Projectâ by Michael C. Bailey
See also: http://www.falmouthmass.us/deppage.php?number=282 for the April 8-10, 2013 Town Meeting, Warrant and minutes, page 21, Articles 24 and 25.
See also: www.fhmia.org home page article âFHMIA Board To Vote YES on Town Ballot Question #1 (posted 5/2/2013)â.