146 



Eelgrass beds north and east of Strav/berry Pt. are distinct, but 

 this is a high energy environment, and these beds show variability in 

 shape on recent photographs, especially near shore. The vegetation 

 indicated in Pine Island Pond may be composed mostly of algae and or 

 Ruppia, and this area needs to be further study. Rocky ledges offshore 

 and the mouth of the Mattapoisset River may also contain eelgrass 

 populations. 



Hiller Cove, Mattapoisett to Marion (Figs. 13 + 14) 



Like the last area described, this vegetation map was based 

 primarily on aerial photographs (1972, 1974, 1978 and 1981) and 

 information from the shellfish warden. Only Bird Island and Butler Pt. 

 were examined in the field. 



Bird Island is surrounded by rock and boulder particularly on its 

 south side and is a moderately high energy environment. Nonetheless 

 eelgrass grows abundantly below the tidal wave action and is quite dense 

 between the Island and Butler Pt, except on the sand bar connecting the 

 two. 



Blankenship and Planting Island Coves contain much algae and some 

 Ruppia. Eelgrass is present here, but with low cover, and beds have 

 been declining in recent years (G. Taft, pers. communication and chapter 

 4). In addition, drift algae have been accumulating here in recent 

 years. Nutrient inputs from nearshore developments may be a factor in 

 both these changes. 



The north end of Sippican Harbor has poor water transparency and 

 accumulated drift algae making bottom vegetation difficult to discern. 



