According to the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service website, the two “fishways” built on the Acushnet River have resulted in an 1100% + growth in herring migration since they were built in 2007.
The fishways allow herring to access critical spawning grounds in the New Bedford Reservoir from New Bedford Harbor, which eventually empties out into Buzzards Bay. This is excellent news for decimated herring stocks and the statewide moratorium on taking the fish from rivers in Massachusetts.
If you’re interested in more on Massachusetts herring stocks, check out this herring run viewing guide from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries.