Aquaculture

2012

February 23, 2012

Longtime Lobster Hatchery Director Tapped for Award

Aquaculture
Lobsters

John T. Hughes, the former longtime director of the Massachusetts State Lobster Hatchery on the Vineyard, will be honored by the state Division of Marine Fisheries next month, which will present him with the Belding Award.

Created in 1989 to honor individuals who in the opinion of the state Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission have done the most to promote the conservation and sustainable use of the commonwealth’s marine resources, the award is named for Dr. David L. Belding, a distinguished doctor and marine biologist who died in 1972.

2011

November 3, 2011
Lynne Fraker ferry scallop boat

Commercial Scallop Season Begins

Mark Alan Lovewell
Aquaculture
Scallops

The commercial bay scallop season is open in all towns save Aquinnah, and as hardy shellfishermen don their orange and yellow foul weather gear, perhaps hoping for a small hedge against hard economic times, the early reports on the season are mixed.

Edgartown is having an average to healthy year, but the scallops coming out of Cape Pogue are small. Chilmark expects to have a short season this year. Sengekontacket remains mostly the steady domain of family fishermen (no dragging is allowed there). And the Lagoon Pond is hot.

October 20, 2011
shellfish hatchery Bret Stearns Warren Doty

Tribe Allows Use of Hatchery For Winter Flounder Project

Mark Alan Lovewell
Aquaculture
Winter flounder

The Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) has agreed to lease its shellfish hatchery on the shore of Menemsha Pond to the Martha’s Vineyard/Dukes County Fishermen’s Association for $100 to raise winter flounder. The partnership is part of a federally funded two-year $308,000 National Sea Grant project to find ways to restore one of the most troubled fish resources in Southern New England.

September 29, 2011
Bjornsson

Iclelandic Mussel Farmer Brings Success Story to Vineyard Waters

Mark Alan Lovewell
Aquaculture
Blue mussels

By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL

The seafood consumer loves to eat blue mussels. It’s an internationally consumed product that lends itself very well to modern day aquaculture, including most likely here in Vineyard waters. Last Wednesday, a top mussel grower from Iceland, Vidir Bjornsson, of Nordurskel, came to speak and share pictures of his young blue mussel farm at the Chilmark Public Library. His one-hour talk was devoted to sharing his success, his struggles and his technique.

September 1, 2011
oyster seed shellfish

Water Quality and Crack Staff Deliver Banner Crop of Shellfish

Mark Alan Lovewell
Shellfish
Aquaculture

The Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group had one of its most productive summers, mass producing millions of baby quahaugs, bay scallops and oysters. And to top it all off, the shellfish hatchery produced twice the usual numbers of bay scallop seed.

August 25, 2011
Capt. Broderick fishing boat

Seafood Shipper Uses Ice to Break Into Bigger, Fresher Local Fish Market

Mark Alan Lovewell
Aquaculture
Menemsha Fish House

Fresh fish is landed daily at Menemsha and much of it is being shipped to the mainland by Alec Gale. With his operation set up in what was once a lobster shack, the 34-year-old is shipping more this summer than he has shipped before.

A key ingredient to his success is ice. He manufactures and sells ice by the bucket and fish box. Boats are loading up with his ice before they head out of the harbor, and they are coming back with boxes full of iced fish.

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