State Rep. Dennis Malloy, State Senator Deb Altschiller, State Rep. Allison Knab and State Rep. Chris Munns at the Piscatagua Region Estuaries Partnership June 5, 2023.
The condition of New Hampshire estuaries are improving including shellfish harvesting opportunities, bacteria, nutrient concentrations, conserved land, and seaweeds, according to a new report from Piscataqua Region Estuaries Partnership (PREP) at the University of New Hampshire.
However, PREP director Kalle Matso says that climate change and increasing human development are a threat to the ecosystems of estuaries.
Over 200 interested people and organizations attended the PREP presentation in Portsmouth on June 5, 2023 including your local state representatives pictured above.
The report also measured community involvement. Volunteer hours decreased during the pandemic, but the authors said federal and local leaders have begun to work together more effectively, particularly on permitting decisions.
Residents who live near Great Bay including Greenland, Rye, Dover, Durham and Newington and our community leaders can play an important role in protecting the bodies of water.
While oysters are at their highest level since 1998, and the oyster aquaculture industry has never been more vibrant, the levels of natural oyster reefs are still down 80% from where they were 30 years ago.
Eelgrass, which can help keep estuaries resilient against challenges, is continuing to increase in the Portsmouth Harbor regions and migratory fish are returning to the water shed in the highest numbers since 1992 following the removal of a dam in Exeter.
The complete 105-page interactive report is available at StateOfOurEstuaries.org.
Thanks to NHPR for reporting on this conference. Sources of this report include the State of Our Estuaries 2023 and NHPR reporting.