WHAT IS THE SHELLFISH GROUP?
Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group is a non-profit organization working to restore shellfish resources for the well-being of the entire island community since 1976.
We operate facilities on Chappaquiddick, in Tisbury and in Oak Bluffs. In 2024, we grew 23 million quahogs, bay scallops, and oyster seed for the Shellfish Departments of our six island towns. An additional 1.5 million oyster singles were grown and distributed to five island oyster farmers to help combat a regional seed shortage. We also supplement wild populations by releasing millions of scallop eggs & larvae, and millions more oyster eggs.
We turn your shells back into oyster habitat!
Pictured: Oyster spat growing on recycled shell that will be planted out into the island’s Great Ponds.
Our main projects:
Annual shellfish seed production of three native island species (quahog, American oyster, bay scallop) for the island
Shell recycling from restaurants and homes for oyster habitat restoration
Oyster population and habitat restoration in The Great Ponds
Eelgrass restoration for it’s important ecosystem services and for bay scallop habitat
Education within island schools and lifelong learning for residents & visitors of all ages.
50th Clamiversary - and Film Premier - Tuesday June 9th @ 5 pm
Free event at the Grange Hall in WT for all ages! Join us to share stories, engage with marine life in touch tanks and live-science displays. Enjoy cake, snacks and refreshments. 50 years—to the day—after Rick Karney started working at the helm of the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group. For more info - nina@mvshellfishgroup.org
“The thing that I found cool about learning how to draw oysters was how much their shells resembled tree rings. I don’t know how long each ring takes to make, but when I put the oyster design for the sticker together, I wanted to show how the shell grows out from where the oyster started. Oysters shells look pretty complex and gnarly but when I looked at how the visible part of the initial shell kind of guided the direction that subsequent layers went, it all kind of came together.”
-Nanci Worthington, Illustrator
We’re celebrating 50 years! Join us at any or all of these fun events.
MVSG is lucky to partner with multiple organizations to continue connecting the public with science and aquaculture. For events with tickets through our partners, please see their websites directly to book. For small tours of the hatchery buildings, feel free to schedule directly with us - nina@mvshellfishgroup.org or mvshellfishgroup@gmail.com
Follow us on Instagram for the latest
