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. The large volumes of water provide a sink for
solar heat storage. Four active solar heat collectors on the
middle level are tied to an electric hot water storage 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 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.