Facilities

THE SOLAR HATCHERY

The Hatchery was constructed during the energy crisis in 1980 with funding from the Coastal Energy Impact Program of Coastal Zone Management.  The solar assisted hatchery incorporates both passive and active solar components.  The hatchery is built into a south facing bluff on the shore of the 535-acre Lagoon Pond embayment.  Phytoplankton and larvae are cultured in a well-insulated greenhouse on the upper floor.  Four active solar heat collectors on the middle level are tied to an electric hot water tank and heat-exchanger which together provide heat to warm sufficient amounts of seawater for cultivating shellfish during the colder months.  The main seawater supply to the hatchery is drawn with a 2.5 hp swimming pool pump located on a 65-foot pier extending into Lagoon Pond.

THE CHAPPY NURSERY

The Shellfish Nursery on Chappaquiddick was constructed from a converted summerhouse in 1995 under funding from the National Marine Fisheries Service.  The 1,000 square foot facility is outfitted with 24 raceways and 48 upweller silos.  The seawater supply is drawn with submersible pumps suspended from a piling situated in Edgartown Outer Harbor.

THE HUGHES HATCHERY

In 2011 the Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group signed an agreement with the Division of Marine Fisheries to lease their Oak Bluffs facility in order to expand nursery space for seed shellfish. The facility know as the Lobster Hatchery was renamed the John T. Hughes Hatchery and outfitted with a brand new interior seawater system.