Instructions to Counters

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL HERRING COUNTERS

All counting this year will be done at the Mill Pond in Marstons Mills.
We will NOT be counting at Middle Pond.

At the bottom of the ramp, just as the water leaves the pond is a white board.  Count the herring as they cross over the board into the pond. Also take the temperature of the water when you count.

Either email us at herringcount@yahoo.com or call us at Three Bays at 508-420-0780 and let us know:

• Your name
• The time of day you counted
• How many fish you counted
• The water temperature when you counted.

That’s it!  You only count for 10 minutes in any given hour. 

You may count at any time in the indicated hour.  But just count for 10 minutes.

FAQ’s:

Q: What if something comes up and I can’t make one of my scheduled counts?
A.  If it is days in the future, then email us at Herringcount@yahoo.com.  If there’s little time to react, please call us at 508-420-0780.  If you get the voice mail, please leave a message with your name and the date/time of the slot you can’t do.  We’ll find another counter.

Q: What if there are no fish when I go to count?
A:  A count of zero is just as important as one of 50 or 100.  We need exact, accurate counts from everyone for all of the sampling periods to get a reliable projection.  Don’t be discouraged by zero counts.

Q:  What if it’s raining, cold or rough weather?
A:  Dress accordingly.  We need to take every count.

Q:  How do I sign up for my hours?
A:  Go to our blog:  www.marstonsmillsherringcounts.blogspot.com and look for the "Open Counting Hours" on the right.  Look at the schedule and note the open hours.  Email us or call and let us know when you can count.  We will confirm your hours!

Q:  What if the white board is gone?
A:  Count the best you can at the specified time, then contact us at 508-420-0780.

Q:  What if there are a lot of people at the herring run when I go to count?
A:  Often when you arrive to count there will be people at the herring run and children will be playing in the area where we do the counting.  Don’t be bashful about asking them to step away for 10 minutes while you count.

Q:  If we’re going to count 9 times a day, why are there 12 hours in the count?
A:  We have some flexibility as to what times of the day we do the counts and can adjust to when people are available.

Q:  What if I forget to count at one of my designated times?
A:  If you remember within the hour, call us at 508-420-0780 and maybe we can adjust the schedule.  Please don’t just make up a number!

Q:  Isn’t there a moratorium on the taking of herring?
A:  Yes, the possession of herring, regardless of where, how or when it was caught is against the law!

Q:  What if I see poachers or someone interfering with the migration? 
A:  If you see someone interfering with or taking herring, don’t approach them.  Do the following instead:

• Record the date, time, vehicle description and registration number and what it was they were doing.   

• Call Doug Kalweit at his direct line:  508-294-1378.  He’s the town’s Natural Resources Director.   

• Identify yourself as a herring counter to him and relay the information.

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We will be putting a box at the run with a thermometer and a counter in it for anyone who needs one.  It will have a combination lock that we will give out.

For those who have a smart phone, there is a free app called Tally Counter that you can download.

Thank you so much for helping with the counting program. 
We will be posting updates from time to time on our website and we have created a blog for everyone to see how things are progressing, just like the one Kevin created in the past.  So please feel free to send us any photos or videos you might take!

http://marstonsmillsherringcounts.blogspot.com/

Please feel free to contact us for any questions or problems you may have!!

Phone #:  508-420-0780

Email:  herringcount@yahoo.com