<p>The hatchery on Lagoon Pond that has spawned a valuable shellfish industry on the Vineyard will be renamed the Richard C. Karney Solar Hatchery.
People call it the solar hatchery or the shellfish hatchery, but going forward the facility on Lagoon Pond that has spawned a valuable shellfish industry on Martha’s Vineyard will be known as the Richard C. Karney Solar Hatchery.
The board of directors of the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group voted to name the facility after Mr. Karney and surprised him with the honor at the annual shellfish extravaganza at the Chilmark Community Center Saturday evening.
Annual shellfish extravaganza is fundraiser for nonprofit shellfish group.
Annual shellfish extravaganza is fundraiser for nonprofit shellfish group.
Mr. Karney announced his retirement this past November, though he still works part time at the newly-named hatchery. Standing near tables full of oysters and clams he helped propagate, Mr. Karney offered thanks to the large crowd that attended the annual celebration of shellfish.
“I think it’s so cool that shellfish are part of the community and that I helped keep it part of the community,” Mr. Karney said. “I can step back. I feel confident that what I tried to start is going to continue.”
Mr. Karney’s groundbreaking work helped keep the shellfish industry vibrant on Martha’s Vineyard, and he has also helped the people who continue his work.
“He’s been a mentor for 17 years,” said Amandine Surier, who along with another of Mr. Karney’s longtime assistants, Emma Green-Beach, are now running the hatchery. “I’m very happy and proud to carry on his legacy at the shellfish hatchery.”
“I was his first intern back in 1977,” said David Grunden, now the Oak Bluffs shellfish constable. “This Island might not have the shellfish industry it has without Rick.”
Mr. Karney served for more than 40 years as executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group. The nonprofit organization regional program funded by the six Island towns manages propagation of oysters, bay scallops and clams in Vineyard waters.
Comments
Now remember, Rick, do what
Pia Webster EdgartownNow remember, Rick, do what you said you would. Play with your babies like a grandparent, then go home and leave all the anguish and hair-tearing to Amandine and Emma. WasteWaterGirl
A very very well deserved
Pam Benjamin Vineyard HavenA very very well deserved Honor! We are so happy to hear this news Rick! Congratulations
and Thank you so very much for all your years of service. <3 <3
Rick - this is just SO right
Page Rogers CT and ChilmarkRick - this is just SO right for you and for the island. Thank you so much and congrats on a job so well done.
As it should be!
Ann Floyd ChappaquiddickAs it should be!
I love Shellfish people and
Joan LeLacheur AquinnahI love Shellfish people and you are Royalty ! Great Benefactor, Mentor, magician....thank you!
Rick, You're our hero!
Charlie Shabica Oak BluffsRick,
You're our hero!
Congratulations Rick. An
John Manzi Folly Beach, SCCongratulations Rick. An honor well deserved.
This is so right, Rick. I
Carla Lee ArizonaThis is so right, Rick. I remember the early days when I lived on the Vineyard. You went to each town meeting to raise funds for the fledgling hatchery just barely making ends meet year after year. Raising funds, the hard work of spawning, making late night runs to the hatchery to repair failed equipment to keep the scallops alive in the early stages. Then the release process into the Vineyard waters. You did it all from the ground up and now you've released it to those who you've developed to carry on this important work. You can step back knowing you have completed the circle of your work, my friend. Congratulations!
Congratulations Rick. The
Melinda Loberg TisburyCongratulations Rick. The honor couldn't be more fitting! What a great legacy you have given the island.
Rick, a well deserved honor!
Tim Boland West TisburyRick, a well deserved honor! You are the best example of the power of passionate people! Thank you for what you have established and the people you have mentored. Your work transcends time. Congratulations!
Hail to the true Chief of
richard toole Oak BluffsHail to the true Chief of Shellfish! Congrats Rick! A good friend and I enjoyed Oysters I had harvested myself from Senge on his deck overlooking the Lagoon last evening as the sun slowly set highlighting this special place. It doesn't get much better than that. Richard Toole
A well-deserved honor.
Gregory Palermo EdgartownA well-deserved honor. Congratulations, Rick!
Way back in the mid 70's I
W. Thomas Hotz Newburyport, MAWay back in the mid 70's I was employed as a marine biologist at The State Lobster Hatchery with John Hughes. I also had an acquaintence with Mike Zoll,then The Mass.Cooperative Extension Agent.He was interested in starting an after school 4-H type 'shellfish club' and was open for ideas. At first with help from Tisbury and Oak Bluffs shellfish constables we collected various shellfish but did not have any equipment or facility to observe them. Mike mentioned that the Mass Cooperative Extension Agency had acquired through donation a vacant garage,storage boat shed,and small pier in upper Lagoon Pond.So with some spare tanks,PVC piping,and two small submersible pumps that were not being used at the lobster hatchery we set up shop. Little did we envision that this would be the foundation of the pilot solar shellfish hatchery to be built in 1978. Thus with the wisdom of Michael Wild and the Marth's Vineyard Commission the Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group and Rick Karney were born. The 'founding fathers'applaud the recognition of Rick and the humble beginings of the hatchery.
It is kind of nice when the
John Best Vineyard HavenIt is kind of nice when the building gets named for the talented guy who works for peanuts and devotes his career to the cause with a singular passion, and not the guy who made a killing on Wall Street and is looking for a tax break! Here, here! Well done and well deserved Rick.
Great honor, congratulations
Jim Widman Milford, CTGreat honor, congratulations Rick.
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