Who We Are

The Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group, Inc. (MVSG) achieves its work by strong collaboration between the Shellfish Departments of the six towns on Martha's Vineyard and staff biologists including, the Executive Director, Hatchery and Facilities Manager, Restoration and Communications Coordinator, and summer Hatchery Assistant staff. In 2022, we added an Education and Outreach Manager. The Group is incorporated as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. 

Our Goals

For nearly 50 years, the Group has sought to preserve and expand the Island's traditional shellfisheries. Key to this effort has been the application of innovative aquaculture technology in our three on-island hatcheries, shellfish habitat restoration projects, and a continuing vigilance to improve and maintain the good surface water quality that is crucial to a viable shellfish industry. With these activities, our goal is to maintain a healthy island shellfish population for both commercial shellfisheries and recreational harvest for families to use for years to come.

We aim to reach our goals by growing three native island shellfish species in-hatchery every summer: quahogs, oysters, and bay scallops. In addition, we seek to improve shellfish habitat through our shell recycling program for oyster population and habitat restoration in The Great Ponds, and our eelgrass restoration project for both the multitude of ecosystem services the seagrass provides and for bay scallop habitat.

Our mission

To preserve and enhance the shellfish resources of Martha’s Vineyard, including the habitat and good water quality they require for the social, economic and ecological well-being of the Island community.

The Executive Board:

The MV Shellfish Group is governed by a twelve-member executive board consisting of the Shellfish Constable and Select Board appointees from each of the six member towns. The program is under the direction of a Shellfish Biologist/Director who oversees a year round staff of four assistants and a summer staff that may increase up to six during the hatchery production season in summertime. Volunteers are involved in MVSG’s operation from time to time when needed. 

Funding:

Funding from a technical assistance grant from the Economic Development Administration of the Department of Commerce launched the project in the late 1970's and a Federal grant from the Office of Coastal Zone Management under the Coastal Energy Impact Program resulted in the construction of the production facility, the nation's first public solar shellfish hatchery, in the early 1980's.

Today, funding is multi-faceted and consists of town shares, grant opportunities, research partnerships, and individual donors. MV Shellfish Group is thankful to all of these important stakeholders.

Board Of Directors

Danielle Ewart, President
Tisbury Shellfish Constable

Julianne Vanderhoop, Vice President
Aquinnah Select Board

David Merry, Treasurer/Clerk
West Tisbury Select Board appointee

Scott Castro
Edgartown Select Board appointee

Mark Landers
Oak Bluffs Select Board appointee

Sally Rizzo
Tisbury Select Board appointee

Isaiah Scheffer
Chilmark Shellfish Constable

Will Diamond
West Tisbury Shellfish Propagation Agent

Brian Vanderhoop
Aquinnah Shellfish Constable

Rob Morrison, Edgartown Shellfish Constable

Donovan McElligatt
Oak Bluffs Shellfish Constable