The 4-1 vote clears the way for brothers Greg and Dan Martino to begin a pioneering aquaculture venture. There were complaints from abutters and concerns about navigation, but the town strongly backed the project as a boost to the shellfishery.
Tim Broderick took a leap of faith when he sold his 55-foot fishing dragger Four Kids this summer, switching to oyster farming in Menemsha Pond with his father Stephen. But the Brodericks say the change is already paying off.
Oyster farms on the bay are open again after a one-week precautionary closure spurred by cases of Vibrio illness. Meanwhile, discussion has begun among oyster farmers and biologists about taking a proactive approach to the problem, possibly through planned closures during warm weather.
Edgartown’s bustling aquaculture industry is on hold this week, with Katama Bay oyster farms temporarily closed because of reported cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp). The state Department of Public Health and Division of Marine Fisheries announced the closure, which is expected to last one week, on Wednesday.
In the midst of dire news about declining fish stocks, the developing oyster farming industry on the Vineyard offers a rare opportunity for optimism.
Oysters harvested from Katama Bay in Edgartown earlier this summer have been linked to two confirmed cases of Vibrio parahaemolyticus infection. State and local health officials said no evidence of mishandling was found and no closures have been ordered.