MASHPEE Santuit and Ashumet ponds are closed to swimming because of blue-green algae blooms also known as cyanobacteria, which can emit toxins that are harmful to people and wildlife.
The Mashpee Department of Natural Resources provided information to the Mashpee Board of Health about surface algae scum floating in several locations in each pond, which prompted the board to close the ponds to swimming, according to the town s website.
The blue-green algae measurement in Santuit Pond showed a total cell count of 72,300 cells per milliliter and was made up of different cyanobacteria geneses, including 44% with woronichinia, 54% dolichospermum, 1% microcystis and 1% Aphanizomenon, according to the town.
The Mashpee Board of Selectmen unanimously approved various changes to mooring regulations, the first updates to the regulations in almost a decade, during its virtual meeting on Monday, February 22.
Mashpee Harbormaster Jeffrey Smith told selectmen the new regulations include changes to wait list fees, new dinghy-rack fees and requirements for boats larger than 20 feet to have insurance as well as other changes to modernize the regulations.
The fee to join the wait list for a mooring will increase from $5 to $20, and to remain on the waitlist, a new $15 fee must be paid annually, Mr. Smith said. The regulations also include a new $40 fee for use of the townâs dinghy-racks and a $10 fee to be placed on the waitlist for the dinghy racks.