On Tuesday June 9, the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group celebrated our 50th Clamiversary with a community party at the Grange Hall. It was this day in 1976 that Rick Karney started his 40-year journey as the shellfish biologist and director of the shellfish group. In that time, he developed a community-driven nonprofit with international recognition.

While downstairs at the Grange Hall was adorned with posters and food, libations, a raw bar and a touch tank of bivalves and other sea creatures, upstairs we showcased our new film celebrating the first 50 years of the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, produced and filmed by Circuit Films’ Ollie Becker and Tim Persinko.

Guests ventured up to watch this eight-minute film as it played on a loop or shared a story and a cupcake with fellow shellfish warriors. This film was funded by a NOAA EEBlue Aquaculture Literacy grant awarded to the shellfish group in 2024 and touches on the importance of shellfish for our Island community over the years. We were honored to dedicate this beautiful film to Roy Scheffer and Trisha Bergeron, whose lives were tragically lost in a fishing accident on January 1, 2026. Their love for fishing and the shellfish group will not be forgotten.

We are so grateful for the community’s support, specifically the Vineyard Preservation Trust, Circuit Arts, the MV Seafood Collaborative, Martha’s Roysters, Spearpoint Oysters and Jim’s Package Store for their contributions to this event.

Please visit our website (mvshellfishgroup.org) or social media to find more ways to support and connect with the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group in our 50th year! With your commitment, generosity and belief in our mission, we will continue to sustain the Vineyard’s shellfish legacy for the economic, ecological and cultural well-being for the Island community for generations to come.

Danielle Ewart

President of the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group