To the Editor:
The new Oak Bluffs shellfish constable should have a strong science background. The Friends of Sengekontacket (FOS) and the Lagoon Pond Association (LPA) regret Dave Grunden’s impending retirement as Oak Bluffs shellfish constable, and congratulate him on a job well done. Dave’s knowledge of marine sciences and hands-on skills have made him an invaluable resource for the town and greater community. He has done important scientific work, and he has collaborated with both on-Island and off-Island scientific organizations to help understand our ponds’ problems, bring in outside grant funding, and improve pond health.
The missions of FOS and LPA are to preserve and improve the health of the ponds. Both organizations fund efforts by the down-Island shellfish departments and the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group to increase shellfish production while simultaneously improving water quality. Shellfish production is labor-intensive, and some in Oak Bluffs see a need for a shellfish constable who will devote more time to hands-on shellfish cultivation and less time to science. We believe that a balance is required. Success in managing the shellfishery depends on implementing a strategy to cope with every factor that affects pond health. Developing such a strategy requires a strong scientific understanding of the ponds; improving that strategy requires scientific investigation.
FOS and LPA fund interns who work more than 1,000 person-hours with the shellfish departments on the two ponds each summer. As the ponds need scientific leadership to guide their rehabilitation, the interns need scientific leadership to guide their learning. All of our interns have had a strong Vineyard connection, and some have graduated from the Vineyard high school, typically working as interns on summer break while college majors in environmental sciences. The interns do valuable work for the ponds. In return they benefit by learning from mentors firmly grounded in marine sciences.
The undersigned FOS and LPA officers and Oak Bluffs residents hope that the Oak Bluffs selectmen will find a successor as committed to scientific study of the ponds as Dave has been. A candidate with a background similar to Dave’s would be ideal: hands-on experience with shellfishery enhanced by strong knowledge of marine sciences. Sengekontacket and Lagoon Ponds contribute in crucial ways to Martha’s Vineyard’s beauty, recreational opportunities, and shellfishing tradition. We urge the selectmen to hire a shellfish constable with a strong understanding of the ways that a healthy shellfishery depends on healthy ponds.
Michael Krause, president, Friends of Sengekontacket
Doug Reece, president, Lagoon Pond Association
Rick Karney, member, LPA and FOS advisory boards
Suzan Bellincampi, member, FOS advisory board
Paul Bagnall, member, FOS advisory board
Luanne Johnson, scientist and Oak Bluffs resident
Richard Toole, chairman, Oak Bluffs’ elected MVC member
Gregory Palermo, internship coordinator, FOS