The 2024 Annual Meeting was well attended, nevertheless, in case you missed the meeting… here are some of the highlights:

Peter Eleferakis opened the meeting with a quorum count and proxy vote. Here’s the list of directors (minus Luanne):

Noteworthy is that Peter E. will be co-president with Jeb Handy.

Peter highlighted the various 2024 FBH events and thanked those that made the events a success. One specific request was for someone to take over the FBH Newsletter. The goal would be to have 3-4 newsletters a year.

Next, Peter introduced co-president Jeb Handy who spoke a bit to events for 2025 including another (very popular) Sunset Cruise -stay tuned.

Finfish/ Shellfish Study

Fundraising continues for the Finfish/ Shellfish Survey. This survey which builds upon the data collected in the Benthic Habitat Study, began this past May. Peter stated that FBH has made two payments to the Center for Coastal Studies and will need another $30K to complete funding for this part of the habitat survey.

Center for Coastal Studies Director of Marine Fisheries Research shared information on his Finfish/ Shellfish study on Barnstable Harbor.

Owen’s presentation described the various methods of capturing critters on Barnstable Harbor’s shores and waters, the critters themselves, and the value of the data for future harbor management decisions. He also talked about collaboration with Town of Barnstable Natural Resources, other non-profits including Long Pasture Audubon, and with students from across Cape Cod.

Here’s a PDF with Owen’s presentation:

Finally, Ian Ives from Long Pasture Audubon finished the meeting with an update on Audubon’s marsh restoration project. Audubon is focused on a small parcel of Barnstable Harbor’s Great Marsh known as the Ferguson property.

It turns out that the Great Marsh is being impacted by sea level rise, mosquito trenches, and centuries old farming practices. The result is that parts of the marsh are “drowning” while other areas are drying out (farmers built barriers to keep the water out). Audubon will be working on the Ferguson property as a model for restoration that may need to happen across the Great Marsh.

APCC (Association to Preserve Cape Cod) is working on a similar project on the eastern end of the harbor at Chase Garden Creek.

Following Ian’s presentation, the meeting was adjourned.