From 1963 through the mid 1970s, the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) produced monographs on seventeen estuaries along the Massachusetts coast. Each monograph was based on one year of field study that focused on the physical characteristics, water quality, and fish and shellfish resources of the estuary. The reports also contained important historical information on the fisheries supported by each estuary, sometimes dating back to colonial times.

This report reexamines and updates the 1968 Parker River-Plum Island Sound monograph.

The Marine Resources of the Parker River-Plum Island Sound Estuary: An Update after 30 Years, Complete (PDF, 19.7M)

Cover Page and Table of Contents (PDF, 148K)

CHAPTER 1. Introduction (PDF, 1.2M)

CHAPTER 2. Geology and Morphometry of the Parker River-Plum Island Sound Estuary (PDF, 970K)

CHAPTER 3. The Water Quality and Flushing Characteristics of the Parker River-Plum Island Sound Estuary (PDF, 2.7M)

CHAPTER 4. Fish (PDF, 3.1M)

CHAPTER 5. Shellfish (PDF, 10.3M)

CHAPTER 6. Birds at Plum Island: A Comparison of Present and Historical Observations (PDF, 195K)

CHAPTER 7. The Vegetation of Plum Island (PDF, 112K)

CHAPTER 8. Habitat Issues Faced by the Plum Island Sound Estuary (PDF, 927K)

References (PDF, 77K)