Plum Island Sound
Plum Island Sound begins about one mile east of the Rt. 1a bridge over
the Parker River. The river turns south and broadens out into a large
estuary behind the barrier beach island called Plum Island. The Sound
runs for about 4 and 1/2 miles until it joins up with the Ipswich River
and empties into the Atlantic Ocean between Plum Island and Castle
Neck. Most of the Sound is surrounded by the Parker River National
Wildlife Refuge and is also part of the Parker River/Essex Bay Area of
Critical Environmental Concern.
Plum Island Sound has long been recognized as one of the most pristine
estuarine habitats in the northeast and is an area of regional and
statewide significance. Plum Island Sound is in the center of the
20,000 acres of salt marsh that lie between Cape Ann and the New
Hampshire border. This marsh is the largest continuous stretch of salt
marsh north of Long Island. This area is known as an important
migratory stop for birds of the Atlantic Flyway as well as for its bird
habitat, its historic anadromous fish runs, and as a spawning ground
for finfish and other organisms that serve as food for offshore fish.
Plum Island Sound supports an important shellfish industry. The major
product is softshell clams also known as steamers. Plum Island Sound
clams are widely known for their high quality and command a high price
nation wide. The Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries maintains
records of shellfish landings reported by town shellfish constables.
These reports most likely significantly underestimate the actual
landings so the value of the Plum Island Sound shellfish harvest is
difficult to measure. The estimated value of the harvest is
approximately $1 million per year.
Parker
River/Essex Bay Area of Critical Environmental Concern
Plum Island Sound Long-Term
Ecological Research Site conducted by
the Ecosystems Center, Woods Hole, MA.
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Last
update: February 3, 2009