Information About The Project & Volunteering To Help
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This page is an introduction to the Herring Counting Project.
If you're looking for the "Instructions For Enrolled Counters", click here.
If you're looking for the Herring Counting Project Blog, click here.
The Marstons Mills Herring Run
In 2006 a project was initiated to determine the size of the herring migration in the Marstons Mills River. Using procedures developed by the Massachusetts Division Of Marine Fisheries, we implemented a statistical sampling technique to project the total number of fish in the migration.
We'll be counting the herring again this year as the project has been such a great success. We've already contacted those who participated last year and most have indicated that they can help again - which we appreciate very much!
But we need additional help as we plan to count at two locations this year. If you'd like to help out please read on...
Note: Those who counted before that have already been contacted do not need to reregister. We'll be contacting you soon for scheduling and we expect to start counting April 10th or so.
Project To Count Herring
The statistical model that we use is driven by conducting many sampling sessions of 10 minutes in duration over the period on the migration [roughly from April 1st through June 1]. The sampling will be done in daylight hours and consists of simply counting the herring with a hand counter as they enter Mill Pond at Route 149 and 28 and also at the flume where they enter Middle Pond, in the Indian Lakes nieghborhood off Route 149.
We need RELIABLE people to help in these efforts and are asking for your help!
If You'd Like To Participate, Here's How It Will Work:
Sign up below to get enrolled [we'll email back a confirmation that you've been enrolled].
We'll send a second email and instructions on how to indicate your preferences and your availability on an online spreadsheet [using Google].
We'll use that information and add you to our Master Schedule and then update your spreadsheet with the dates/times we need you to count.
You'll take the counts at the designated place and times and then update the online spreadsheet. It's really easy!
Last year, the average counter did about 25 counts - or 1 every 3 days. As more people sign-up that will be even less, unless of course, you indicate you want to count more!
To Sign Up For The Counting Program
Complete the form below to enroll. Please rest assured that we will use this information for this project alone and for no other purpose whatsoever.
If Your E-mail Has Changed Since You Signed Up...
Just complete the form again entering your new e-mail in the E-mail box and key "New e-mail" in the Comments box.
When You're Done...
After you fill in the form and click on the Send button, you'll get a message that your request was processed. Press the Back button on that confirmation screen to return here.
When you return here there is no need to Reset the form, just click on one of the Links below to leave this page. We'll send you a confirmation of your enrollment and additional instructions. Thanks for your help!
