We Welcome Margaret

This month we are thrilled to welcome Margaret Broughton to our staff as the new Public Engagement Coordinator. She comes to us most recently from The Nature Conservancy in CT, and prior to that from Groundwork Southcoast in New Bedford. Margaret graduated from Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) and moved to Madagascar where she worked with local nonprofits and community organizations for 4 years to help them advance their projects in climate resiliency and environmental justice. Upon her return to the US, she attended Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) where she received her masters in Nature, Culture, Sustainability Studies, (NCSS). Margaret has numerous connections in Dartmouth, MA, and eastern Kentucky that have greatly shaped her connection to both land and water. She is looking forward to connecting with the Westport community to inspire local stewardship, strengthen deeper relationships, and celebrate the beauty of the watershed together.

Tagging Along: A Community Effort to Follow Our Striped Bass

This fall, the Westport River Watershed Alliance is launching a new Striped Bass Tagging Program, designed to foster public engagement, curiosity, and conservation awareness of this vital species. The program offers an exciting way to explore the life of Striped Bass in our own backyard.

The Westport River is a seasonal home for one of New England’s most iconic and beloved fish: the Striped Bass. Each spring and summer, these strong, silvery swimmers pass through our waters—some stopping briefly on their coastal migration, others staying to feed or even linger year-round.

The idea for the program was developed by WRWA’s newly established Fish Advisory Committee, a group formed in the wake of the successful second WRWA Fishing Invitational fundraiser. The committee brings together local anglers and professional guides to advise WRWA on river health, fishing practices, and stewardship initiatives. Their enthusiasm and deep connection to the river inspired this new tagging effort as a way to better understand and celebrate the fish they know so well.

A limited number of striped bass will be fitted with acoustic tags, which send out signals detected by receivers in the Westport River and along a coastal network that stretches from North Carolina to Canada. The data will give us a glimpse into where some of "our" fish go—how long they stay, and whether they return.    

What’s That Foam on the River?

Roberta Carvalho, Science Director

If you’ve seen frothy white foam gathering along the edges of the Westport River lately, you’re not the only one—and there’s no cause for concern. What you’re seeing isn’t pollution or soap suds, but a natural phenomenon known as sea foam or river foam.

The water in the Westport River, like all coastal waters, is more than just H₂O. It contains a rich mix of dissolved salts, organic materials, microscopic algae, and tiny particles from plants and animals. When wind and waves churn this mixture—similar to shaking a bottle of water—it can create small bubbles.

These bubbles often collect and form foam, especially in areas with active tides or recent blooms of algae. While foam might make some people think of soaps or detergents, the bubbles in the River are typically the result of natural surfactants—compounds that come from decomposing seaweed, algae, and other organic matter.

These natural surfactants help bubbles stick together and build into foam that can float along the shoreline. It’s actually a sign of a dynamic and productive ecosystem, particularly in spring and summer when aquatic plant life is most active. This kind of foam is common in healthy estuaries and coastal environments around the world.

On rare occasions, large offshore algal blooms breaking down can lead to heavier, more noticeable foam with an odor or discoloration. These events are unusual in our area and are closely watched.

The takeaway: most foam in the River is completely natural and not a sign of pollution. It’s part of the normal seasonal cycle. WRWA continues to monitor the River’s water quality regularly to help ensure it remains safe and thriving for people and wildlife alike. To see our weekly water quality results visit: https://www.westportwatershed.org/river-monitoring

Support the River You Love

Over 1,500 members form the heart of WRWA’s mission—protecting and preserving the Westport River through education, science, and advocacy. Members receive our River News newsletter, special event invitations, and discounts on WRWA gear.

If you haven’t renewed your membership yet this year, we invite you to continue being part of this important work. Every membership helps safeguard this vital resource for future generations. Thank You!

Support the Watershed—Enjoy a Fresh Oyster Flight!

Looking for a unique way to support the Westport River Watershed Alliance? WRWA is offering vouchers for a delicious Oyster Flight from Westport Sea Farms, featuring four locally grown oysters: Riptide, Beach Plum, Tabor Point, and Spindrift. Each voucher is just $12 and valid through the 2025 season.

Generously donated by Westport Sea Farms, 100% of proceeds support WRWA’s mission to protect and preserve the Westport River Watershed.

To purchase your oyster flight voucher, contact WRWA:

• Call: 508-636-3016 ext. 1002
• Email: info@wrwa.com
• Visit: The River Center, 493 Old County Road, Westport, MA (Open Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.)

Westport Sea Farms is located at 2065 Main Road, Westport Point, and is open daily from 12–9 p.m. Enjoy the freshest raw oysters, seafood, and local beer and wine—all with a stunning view of the Westport River.