Eelgrass experiment takes root in Aquinnah - The Martha's Vineyard Times

Local and state biologists team up to bring eelgrass back to Island ponds.

By Barry Stringfellow -September 27, 2017


Eelgrass shoots in mid-transplant, woven into burlap. — Courtesy Bret Stearns



Eelgrass is shown growing through the burlap.



Beckie Finn, environmental programs coordinator, with a terra cotta disk that will help eelgrass take root, and then dissolve. — Courtesy Bret Stearns


Eelgrass plays a critical role in the estuarine ecosystem, which makes it particularly crucial to the overall health of the ecosystem on Martha’s Vineyard. Many species of fish and shellfish, including the prized bay scallop, depend on eelgrass to propagate the species. Eelgrass creates oxygen, which is essential for all forms of aquatic life, and eelgrass beds stabilize sediment and filter toxic metals and nutrient pollution.

Eelgrass is also an aquatic canary in a coal mine, and it’s been dying off in Island ponds at an alarming rate.

Aerial photos from 1996 and 2001 by the Massachusetts Geographic Information System (MassGIS) showed eelgrass declined over 17 percent in Menemsha Pond, which one of the healthier ponds on the Island. A 2013 Army Corps underwater study showed further decline in eelgrass density.

Down-Island, the situation is much worse. Oak Bluffs shellfish constable David Grunden describes

FISHING - Why Seafood Is on the Cusp of Transformation

Monica Jain
Monica Jain leads Fish 2.0 and Manta Consulting Inc. She is passionate about oceans, impact investing, fisheries and building networks around these themes.
Oct 17, Medium.com

Why Seafood Is on the Cusp of Transformation

5 global trends are opening huge market opportunities for innovation in the seafood sector


Photo Courtesy Blue Ocean Gear

If you’re a talented young data scientist scouting the next frontier, where do you go? If you’re a biotech pioneer hunting for new ways to apply cutting-edge concepts, where do you look? If you’re a global powerhouse that doesn’t want to miss the next big market opportunity, what’s on your radar?


Sustainable seafood.

Seriously. That answer may be an outlier now, but soon it will be on everyone’s lips. Change in the

GRAND MANAN: Tuna, sharks and whales ... fishing in 1934

Southern Weirs Hold the Record

Ten tuna fish were taken from the "Dock" weir at Flagg's Cove one day recently, and several more on other occasions, it is said. The first tuna caught were shipped to Portland but the venture did not prove remunerative enough to the shippers due to excessive transportation charges. The tuna more recently taken were given away to neighbors of the weir owners, and those who liked the flesh enjoyed a feast indeed. North Head weirs are noted for their catching of big fish, and recently another large shark was taken in the same weir which produced a monstrous shark some time ago, the liver from which filled a dory. These weirs, however, are just a whit behind those of the southern part of the parish. A good sized whale was taken in the "Big Weir'' located at Inner Wood Island not long ago. The mammal was killed and towed from the weir by Captain Harry Harvey and crew of the Wood Island Life Saving Station. Whales or sharks, however, it's all in the day's work for the weir fishermen who rarely express surprise at anything they find inside the enclosures. (St. Croix Courier 1934)

GEOLOGY: Old 1872 Grand Manan Copper Mine reopened in 1964

A Toronto group who have been diamond drilling and prospecting on the Island since early spring recently opened the entrance to the old copper mine at Sloop Cove on the Western side of Grand Manan. This mine opened in 1872 by British interests actually operated for a short time with the ore shipped by sailing vessel to England where it was processed. It was said at the time that the ore was of a very high copper content. After a few ship loads operations ceased, no one seems to know why, probably due to dwindling demand at that time. The mine shaft entered the face of the high clifts on Grand Manan's western shore from the beach and it is reported that after removal of the fallen rock blocking the entrance the tunnel was found to be in good condition. Some years ago a number of tools were found on the beach and the older residents remember when the shaft entrance was plainly visible. ( Courier. Oct.8 1964)

REFERENCES:
E. J. CHAPMAN, REPORT ON THE COPPER DEPOSIT OF GRAND MANAN, BAY OF FUNDY. 
T.O.H. Patrick EXPLORATION OF GRAND MANAN ISLAND FOR KEEVIL MINING GROUP LIMITED , 1964

LINKS:
More information on Grand Manan Geology:
http://earth2geologists.net/grandmanangeology/index.htm