Saving Seafood

MASSACHUSETTS: Shucktember!

September 4, 2024 — The following was released by the Massachusetts Aquaculture Association:

Ease into September and support your local oyster farmers by enjoying some Bay State
grown oysters! During the month of September, several Massachusetts growers will donate $1 to the
Massachusetts Aquaculture Association (MAA) for every 100 count bag sold. Eating more Massachusetts
grown oysters during September not only offers oyster lovers the opportunity to enjoy oysters at their
peak but will also support the grower’s organization. MAA is a non-profit trade association that
represents the interests of oyster farmers in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Currently, there are
over 400 licensed growers in Massachusetts farming more than 1,300 acres producing shellfish with a
reported value of over $31 million.

The fresh and briny taste of oysters represents more than just good food, but a healthy economy and
environment. Shucktember is a fund-raising effort for the MAA that benefits from the sales of
Massachusetts-grown oysters during the month of September. By supporting the MAA, you are
supporting the growth and support of oyster farms from Cape Ann to Buzzards Bay to Cape Cod to
Martha’s Vineyard and all points between! By ordering Massachusetts-farmed oysters during September,
you help keep our seafood local and support the 2,000 jobs that are made possible by the oyster farming
industry.

The MAA’s Shucktember fund-raiser relies on the voluntary participation of oyster growers, dealers, and
restaurants. Participants are encouraged to contribute 1 cent per oyster that they sell during the month
of September. The funds from Shucktember will support the MAA’s initiatives to address problems that
impact the oyster farming industry and its community members in Massachusetts. According to the MAA
President, Seth Garfield, “We’re not only moving into the time of year when Massachusetts oysters are
at peak condition but purchases of Massachusetts oysters during Shucktember provides customers with
the added benefit of supporting Massachusetts oyster growers through our growers voluntarily
contributing a portion of their sales to the MAA”.

As the frenetic activity of the summer months slows down, show your support by buying and ordering
oysters from our partner farms, businesses, and restaurants. Eating more Massachusetts farmed oysters
during Shucktember is a delicious way to support MAA’s work on behalf of the Commonwealth’s
shellfish growers. Created by MAA, Shucktember was inspired by Ben Lloyd, of Pangea Shellfish and
Massachusetts Aquaculture Association member, we hope to gain your support and make this year our
most successful year to date!

Fast Facts:
● In 2023, over 50 million oysters were produced in the state annually generating more than
$31 million in farm sales.

● The harvesting, sales, and supply chain of oysters supports over 2,000 jobs in the
Commonwealth – including the support of businesses in local communities.

● Oysters are the third most valuable seafood in Massachusetts.

● The MAA represents 25% of the industry. The MAA works with State and Federal
regulators of the seafood industry to keep our water clean, support our growers in times of
hardship, and ensure Massachusetts restaurants are serving local oysters.

● Oysters also provide significant environmental benefit with one adult oysters capable of
filtering 50 gallons of water a day. Oyster reefs can “shore-up” the coastline and attenuate
waves to decrease storm surges.

● Over the past 5 years, the MAA has helped with Covid-19 related business issues, addressed
and supported the implementation of new regulations from the Federal government, and
became a partner of the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF).

● The MAA works with the DMF to address local issues, guide growers through the grant and
permitting application process, and expand the presence of aquaculture in Massachusetts

○ This includes acting as an advocate by working with elected Massachusetts officials
to address water quality issues in Buzzards Bay that directly impacts 5 shellfish
farms.

Shucktember is made possible through the support of several farm businesses that include:
Barnstable Seafarms – Barnstable
Billingsgate Shellfish – Wellfleet
Cottage City Oysters – Oak Bluffs

Cotuit Oysters – Cotuit
Cuttyhunk Shellfish Farms – Gosnold
Ichabod Flat Oysters – Plymouth

Island Creek Oysters – Duxbury
Merry Oysters – Duxbury
Padanaram Oysters – Dartmouth

Pangea Shellfish Company – Boston
Plymouth Rock Oysters – Plymouth

Sandy Neck Oysters – Barnstable
Saquish Oysters – Saquish

Signature Oysters – Katama
Sweetheart Creek – Yarmouth
Ward Aquafarms – Falmouth

*The list of participants in Shucktember 2024 is still growing, for more information about MAA please visit MAAquaculture.org.

The Massachusetts Aquaculture Association (MAA), is a non-profit Trade Association formed in 1986 to promote the continued development of aquaculture and to improve conditions affecting aquaculture in Massachusetts. The goals of MAA are to represent the interests of Massachusetts aquatic farmers, to encourage promotion of high-quality aquaculture products, to grow a thriving aquaculture industry, facilitate the development and transfer of relevant technology and to maintain an effective network between industry, government, and researchers.

MASSACHUSETTS: A landmark celebration of fishing heritage and community

September 3, 2024 — The New Bedford Fishing Heritage Center has installed a striking new landmark in the heart of the City’s Seaport Historic District. Catch the Tradition captures the spirit and enduring legacy of New Bedford, the nation’s most valuable fishing port, and invites visitors to explore the story of commercial fishing, one of the world’s oldest industries, through the Fishing Heritage Center. The public is invited to attend an official unveiling and dedication of the installation on Thursday, September 12 (AHA Night) at 6:00 PM.

Catch the Tradition features an authentic fishing net draped across the entire facade of a historic building at 38 Bethel Street and seven massive documentary images ranging in size, with the largest being 17 feet tall. The images, captured by four emerging and established local photographers (Shareen Davis, Phil Mello, Leia Onofrey, and Peter Pereira), provide a window into the lives of those who work to bring seafood from boat to table.

Read the full article at the National Fisherman

Fishermen protest at Vineyard Wind as broken turbines energize wind opponents

August 27, 2024 — New England fishing captains held a floating protest against offshore wind Sunday in the waters surrounding Vineyard Wind.

They say the fiberglass debris strewn in the water in July from a broken wind turbine blade has only made them more concerned about living with turbines.

“We’re really concerned about wind farms in the ocean-based environment, and we’re not happy with what’s going on with the current one,” Nantucket charter fishing captain Carl Bois said.

About two dozen boats participated in the protest, he said.

Three offshore wind blades of the type used at Vineyard Wind have suffered failures since May, the most recent on Thursday in the United Kingdom.

Problems with blades on the Haliade-X turbines have energized local offshore wind opponents. As fishing boats protested at Vineyard Wind Sunday, a small group of Nantucket residents protested on the island at Cisco Beach, the Nantucket Current reported.

Nantucket fisherman and charter captain Pete Kaizer, who participated in the protest by boat, told CAI he worries offshore development will contribute to species decline.

“People say, ‘Oh, it’ll come back. It’ll all come back.’ Well, look at all the fisheries that haven’t come back,” he said, citing cod, herring, and mackerel. “They’re at rock bottom.”

Read the full story at WCAI

 

Wind power construction noise doesn’t destroy whale habitat, feds find

August 27, 2024 — The federal government issued a new “biological opinion” on the offshore wind power project off Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket, finding that pile-driving noise associated with Vineyard Wind 1 is likely to adversely affect, but not likely to jeopardize, the continued existence of whales, fish or sea turtles listed under the Endangered Species Act.

“It will have no effect on any designated critical habitat,” National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries said in a statement. “NOAA Fisheries does not anticipate serious injuries to or mortalities of any ESA listed whale including the North Atlantic right whale.” The agency said that with mitigation measures, “all effects to North Atlantic right whales will be limited to temporary behavioral disturbance.”

NOAA Fisheries said Friday it was issuing its new opinion to the “federal action agencies” including Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, which approved the Vineyard Wind 1 Project in 2021 and oversees offshore wind power development in federal lease areas.

Read the full story at WBUR

Fishermen stage floating protest at Vineyard Wind site

August 27, 2024 — As concerns mount over the July collapse of one Vineyard Wind turbine blade, a “flotilla” of about two dozen commercial and recreational fishing vessels steamed to the wind farm on Sunday to protest offshore wind development and its impact on the marine ecosystem.

The vessels, hoisting anti-offshore wind flags and blasting air horns, departed early Sunday morning from ports in New Bedford, Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, Rhode Island and along the Cape, converging at about noon on the site of the crippled Vineyard Wind turbine.

“The blade collapse was an eye-opener to a lot of people who before didn’t know that offshore wind is a disaster for the ocean,” said Shawn Machie, 54, who is captain of the New Bedford scalloper F/V Capt. John.

On July 13, one of the three blades on turbine AW38 sustained damage while undergoing testing. Five days later, a 300-foot section of the blade collapsed into the water leaving fiberglass debris floating in fishing grounds and scattered across beaches, mostly on Nantucket. It marked an inflection point as the first industrial energy incident in this era of offshore wind development in waters off the Northeast coast.

Read the full story at The New Bedford Light

Cape Cod regional leaders ask feds for more direct role in plans for offshore wind

August 26, 2024 — Barnstable County officials are calling on the federal government to involve the community more directly in offshore wind plans for the Outer Cape.

The Assembly of Delegates voted Wednesday to send a letter to the Biden administration making that request.

In an interview before the vote, Assembly Speaker Pat Princi of Barnstable said Cape Codders need to be heard.

“There’s just a lot that really hasn’t been talked about that is of major concern to residents who live here, work here, who support their families here,” he said.

Before the meeting, Wellfleet Delegate Lilli-Ann Green drafted a letter to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland asking to turn back the clock five years on Outer Cape offshore wind.

Read the full article at CAI

MASSACHUSETTS: Debris from broken Vineyard Wind blade confirmed on Hyannis beach

August 26, 2024 — Vineyard Wind has confirmed that debris from its broken GE Vernova-made turbine blade was recently recovered from the shore in Hyannisport.

The town of Barnstable on Thursday released an advisory about pieces of foam debris “which were reported through the Vineyard Wind debris reporting hotline.”

Vineyard Wind spokesperson Craig Gilvarg on Friday noted that “in the initial report, roughly five small pieces were found by a resident and reported to the town of Barnstable.”

“As part of its debris recovery efforts, Vineyard Wind dispatched a crew to patrol the area, and no additional debris was found,” he said in an email. “We are coordinating with local officials, including any required shorebird monitoring personnel, to respond to any additional reports we receive.”

Read the full article at Yahoo! News

Fishermen organizing ‘flotilla’ protest against offshore wind

August 23, 2024 — In response to recent concerns over offshore wind and with debris washing up on Nantucket and Island beaches from a fractured turbine blade, the New England Fisherman’s Stewardship Association (NEFSA) has organized a “flotilla” for this Sunday, bringing fishing boats together to peacefully protest in unison against the offshore wind industry.

Boats will be joining together in a “boat parade” from various areas of the east coast, said NEFSA founder and CEO Jerry Leeman, including the Vineyard, Nantucket, parts of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and potentially New Jersey.

Read the full article at MV Times

MASSACHUSETTS: Final Offshore Wind Discussion Centers on Ethics, Economics

August 23, 2024 — Newport’s Energy & Environ­ment Commission concluded its three-part series about offshore wind on Aug. 15, with moderator Avery Robertson leading panelists representing Climate Action Rhode Island’s Yes to Wind campaign, the Iron Workers Local 37 union, and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management in a discussion about the ethics and economics of offshore wind devel­opment.

Nick Horton, a volunteer with Cli­mate Action Rhode Island, opened his remarks by asking the audience to raise their hands if they con­sidered themselves environmen­talists, whether they cared about whales, and if they cared about the health of Rhode Island’s fisheries now and in the future. Most people raised their hands to all three. He then asked the room to raise their hands if they planned on cutting their personal energy usage by 90 percent within the next few years. Nobody raised their hand.

He proceeded to make the point that Rhode Island’s grid is largely dependent upon the fracking of natural gas in other states as its main power source. Horton said he supports the industrial scale devel­opment of offshore wind not only because it provides an alternative to modes of fossil fuel production, such as fracking, which negatively impact the environment, but also because the pollution caused by fracking and coal-fired power plants increases cancer rates and other health issues in other com­munities.

Read the full article at Newport Daily News