Collaborator's Websites

Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group: A non-profit organization comprised of the shellfish departments of the six Island towns.

Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head: Works to establish and manage programs on Tribal Lands and beyond.

School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST): Part of UMass Dartmouth, this is a nationally renowned school for research and education in marine sciences, ocean technology, climate change, offshore wind, and fisheries management and sustainability.

U.S. Geological Survey: Provides science about natural hazards; water, energy, minerals, and other natural resources; ecosystem and environmental health; and the impacts of changes in climate and land use.

Friends of Sengekontacket: A nonprofit dedicated to protecting Sengekontacket Pond, its barrier beach, Joseph Sylvia State Beach, and Trapps Pond.

Lagoon Pond Association: A nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of Lagoon Pond and the surrounding environment.

Tisbury Waterways, Inc.: A nonprofit dedicated to providing a community presence in matters involving the quality and improvement of waterways in Tisbury.

The Island Blue Pages

The Blue Pages were created to inform landowners about their watersheds and what they can do to protect them and our other valuable water resources on the Island. You can download a digital copy here or stop by the MVC building to pick up a copy.

Shellfish Regulations

Shellfish play a crucial role in the Island’s ecosystem and culture. They filter out algae, nitrogen, and other particulates, leaving cleaner, clearer water for us to enjoy.

We often work with local shellfish groups including the Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group, along with the shellfish constables in each town, to distribute shellfish, remove harmful or invasive species, and test water quality so that shellfish can continue to thrive in our waters.

• Aquinnah
• Chilmark
• Edgartown
• Oak Bluffs
• Tisbury
• West Tisbury

Eelgrass Restoration

Eelgrass provides habitat for a variety of marine species and is an indicator of high water quality. In previous years, we've performed eelgrass coverage surveys and helped establish populations in formerly occupied ponds. The MA Department of Environmental Protection conducts periodic eelgrass surveys in Vineyard Haven Harbor, Lagoon Pond, and Tashmoo Pond. In addition, the MV Shellfish Group and town of Tisbury have been monitoring areas in the Lagoon, including a small eelgrass bed at the head of the pond.

Read an article about the importance of eelgrass.

Alternative Wastewater Systems

Learn more about sewage processing in Massachusetts. See also the MVC Wastewater and Stormwater Management page. 

MIMIC Invasive Monitoring

Marine Invader Monitoring and Information Collaborative (MIMIC) relies on volunteers from the public and several multi-level agencies to monitor for invasive species present or emerging along the New England Coast. Several MVC staff have been trained to identify invasive species.

• MIMIC website and identification guide
• Invasive species identification cards – know what to look out for!

Bioremediation

Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group Looks at Bioremediation

In recent years, the MV Shellfish Group and others have been looking at various bioremediation techniques to reduce nitrogen levels in coastal ponds. Bioremediation for Nitrogen Reduction summarizes some of these results. Techniques include oyster reefs, ribbed mussels, Biohaven Floating Islands, phragmites removal, and living shorelines. The authors conclude that sewage treatment will likely be required to meet nitrogen reduction requirements.

Bioremediation can be a useful tool, but more research is needed to understand and quantify the nitrogen removal by natural systems. Advances in applied technologies such as aquaculture and Floating Islands hold potential to significantly enhance natural bioremediation processes, and the restoration of natural systems provides ecological benefits beyond nitrogen mitigation.

Phragmites are an invasive and prolific plant on the Island and have been a topic of interest for possible uses and research projects in past years. One valuable feature of phragmites is its ability to remove nitrogen from a water body, so if the plants are removed at the end of the growth season, all the nitrogen they contain is removed as well.