River once again hosts a native fish

July 02, 2011 | By Derrick Z. Jackson, Globe Columnist

 

DERRICK Z. JACKSON PHOTOS

ATOP A pickup truck at a boat launch in Waltham this week, 330,000 thread-thin, translucent inch-long larvae of the American shad swirled in a holding tank. They were about to be released into the Charles River by federal and state wildlife officials. A sister truck and tank housed some 2-foot-long adult shad, a stunning contrast to the wriggling larvae, some of which were visible only because of the darting pairs of black eye spots. At best, perhaps only one of every 300 shad fry will ever come close to getting this big, and only if it avoids being eaten by sunfish.

The fact that shad can now survive in the Charles is a victory against the odds. A week ago, the Charles River Watershed Association, which since 1965 has led efforts to clean up the river and preserve its wetlands, was named as one of three finalists for the 2011 International River Foundation’s award for being “the world’s best river basin manager.’’ Its efforts began with the preserving of wetlands in the middle sections of the 80-mile-long Charles River and grew into partnerships with federal and state agencies to deal with everything from storm water run-off to species restorations.

The release of the shad represents a crowning achievement in the cleanup. The American shad is the largest member of the herring family and centuries ago was a staple coastal food. But the fish, which migrates from the open ocean into freshwater rivers to spawn, is especially sensitive to pollution, which nearly wiped it out in many Eastern rivers.

In 2006, the Charles was deemed safe again to release the first group of what has now become 13 million fry, with the hope of restoring a population of 30,000 shad. Shad grow for about four years in the ocean before returning to their birthplace to spawn, and researchers this week confirmed for the first time the return of adult shad to the Charles from those fry releases. The fry were given a chemical bath that marks their bones so that researchers can identify them later as fish released in the Charles.

“This is the fish that supported the Indians and pilgrims, and now it’s back,’’ said Bob Zimmerman, executive director of the Charles River Watershed Association. “It’s a trophy for all of us.’’

Looking on at the fry release was Gerry Feeley, 73, a former Waltham city councilor. “I’ve fished this river for 65 years. It’s been my second home. In the 1960s it was rancid. All that was left was just some carp and sunfish. This is a great day.’’

Indeed, it was a great day in a great week for the Charles.

Derrick Z. Jackson’s column will resume in mid-September. He will be on book leave.