Bitterly cold temperatures in January kept the bay scallop fleet grounded for many days, but frozen ponds may provide future benefits to some shellfish, including scallops and oysters, Island marine biologists say.

Rick Karney, director of the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group, said last week that a drop in water temperature in saltwater ponds helps to inhibit the shellfish disease dermo, which is a threat to wild oysters.

Late tonight, before midnight, the gibbous moon rises in the east.

A brilliant full moon lights the winter skies this weekend.

The Martha’s Vineyard/Dukes County Fishermen’s Association was created in 2009, when it was clear to most local fisherman that having an association with a voice was stronger than having a group of fishermen act individually. Warren Doty was named president of the association, but recently he informed the county commissioners that he was stepping down.

It’s been a particularly successful year for bay scalloping in Chilmark, town shellfish constable Isaiah Scheffer confirmed this week, with landings way up for both commercial and recreational shellfishermen. In a voicemail left for the Gazette, Mr. Scheffer reported that to date commercial shellfishermen have landed over 2,000 bushels of scallops while recreational fishermen have landed 245 bushels.

Sometimes there is that one person who has vision and energy and steps forward to lead the way. And in the process, things get done. Gray Bryan was just such a person, and when he died three weeks ago, the Vineyard lost a great friend. Gray Mac W. Bryan Jr. died on Dec. 29 at the age of 85. He was ahead of his time, at least when it came to water quality protection on the Vineyard.