Note: this event has been postponed until Tuesday, March 27 because of the weather. Please register at newsroomraindate.brownpapertickets.com. 

As the traditional fishing industry on Martha’s Vineyard has declined, oyster farming has attracted Islanders who long to make their living from the sea. One feature of this fishery is much like the old: it’s often a family business.

Tuesdays in the Newsroom, the Gazette's off-season discussion season, takes a look at this new fishery next week, with a discussion moderated by Rick Karney, director emeritus of the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, and featuring oyster farmers.

In 2014, brothers Greg and Dan Martino opened an open ocean oyster farm in Oak Bluffs — the first of its kind in New England. Cottage City Oysters aims to provide the best oysters in the most eco-friendly and sustainable way possible and educate the public through farm tours and speaker series.

Ryan Smith operates Signature Oysters with his father, Joe, a longtime fisherman. Ryan returned to the Island to start the business after graduating from University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth in 2005. Now operating for more than 12 years, Signature Oysters provides top-quality oysters out of the waters of Katama Bay.

Mr. Karney will lead the conversation in learning more about the burgeoning oyster farming business, its benefits and challenges, and what the future holds for family fishermen. The event will include a tasting of the briny bivalves.

Tuesdays in the Newsroom is a discussion series held once a month by the Gazette in the off-season. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. on March 27 for a short reception, followed by the program. Admission is free to Gazette subscribers, and $10 for non-subscribers at the door. Advance registration is required at newsroomraindate.brownpapertickets.com.