1976 - Michael Wild, Coastal Planner for the Martha’s Vineyard Commission, organizes the Island Shellfish Constables around the idea of hiring a biologist to provide technical assistance for the management of the Vineyard’s shellfish resources.

1977 - With dump gleanings and volunteers, the first pilot hatchery is constructed on Lagoon Pond.

1978 - The first small crop of hatchery seed quahogs is produced. Experimental quahog nursery float is refined.

1979 - MVSG is successfully producing seed scallops and pioneering the use of genetic shell color tags for scallops.

1980 - Construction begins onthe nation’s first public solar shellfish hatchery.

1984 - Over 100,000 seed quahogs and scallops are produced in the solar hatchery.

1986 - Over 2 million seed quahogs and nearly 0.5 million seed scallops are produced in the MVSG solar shellfish hatchery.

1988 - First scallop spawning sanctuary is deployed in Chilmark.

1989 - Hatchery production increases to over 8 million quahog, scallop and oyster seed.

1991 - Water quality study of Tisbury Great Pond is conducted.

1992 - Lagoon Herring Run is completed.

1993 - Hatchery production tops 15 million seed shellfish. Funding is secured for groundwater study of Tisbury Great Pond. Educational program for 4th grades is started.

1994 - New hatchery office is built with experimental, nitrogen-removing septic system.

1995 - MVSG launches an innovative aquaculture training program for local fishermen. Construction of a new shellfish nursery on Chappaquiddick doubles indoor culture capacity. MVSG is among the first in this country to successfully spawn and rear the giant sea scallop.

1996 - MVSG secures $300,000 in federal funds to provide technical and start- up financial assistance for local fishermen beginning private aquaculture ventures.

1997 - Hatchery produces a record number of over 20 million seed shellfish.

1998 - The Vineyard leads the state in bay scallop landings. Aquaculture trainees market thousands of their high quality cultured cocktail oysters. MVSG secures state funding for construction and demonstration of Jack Blake’s innovative floating shellfish hatchery. Bill Walton completes four-year doctoral study of crab predation on seed quahogs.

1999 - Hatchery production exceeds 21 million. MVSG develops an environmental awareness curriculum for the Vineyard public schools. Over a half million oysters are cultured by retrained Edgartown fishermen in new tidal-powered shellfish nurseries.

2000. - Local fishermen retrained in aquaculture market tens of thousands of their cultured oysters and receive rave reviews at an exposition that features the finest oysters from across the country. The Shellfish Group launches it own web site.

2002 – Federal funding for cutting-edge triploid bay scallop research is secured. In recognition of our program, the director receives one of two Gulf of Maine Visionary Awards bestowed in Massachusetts.

2003 – In support of shellfish aquaculture, an ideal “green” industry for Martha’s Vineyard, MVSG produces a promotional pamphlet for local oyster growers.

2007 - Funding for the creation of the first tetraploid broodstock for the bay scallop Argopecten irradians is secured. The Shellfish Group raises interest in offshore mussel culture on Martha's Vineyard and deploys the first trial lines.

2008 - The first tetraploid broodstock for the bay scallop Argopecten irradians is produced. MVSG receives ear marked funds to begin an oyster restoration program in Edgartown Great Pond. 

2011- MVSG secures a lease from the Divison of Marine Fisheries to use the Lobster Hatchery as added nursery space. 

2014 - Emma Green-Beach joins the team full time as Special Projects Coordinator.  The first spools of kelp seedlings are produced at the newly renamed John T. Hughes Hatchery. 

2015 - MVSG secures a large EPA grant to investigate the impact of phragmites harvesting on the nitrogen in our ponds. 

2016 - 2022 MVSG expands its full-time staff under the direction of board-appointed Executive Director, Emma Green-Beach (2017). Collaborative efforts continue with all six towns and tens of millions of seed are produced and distributed each year. The organization continues to work on environmental research projects with local, regional and national stakeholders, receiving additional funding from over 300 donors.