Just as oysters serve as both ecological engineers and indicators of coastal health, the Merrimack River's soft-shell clam fishery tells a powerful story about the intersection of tradition, industry, and climate change. Wayne Castonguay, Regional Shellfish Program Leader for the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, will discuss how rising seas and coastal erosion forced the permanent closure of the century-old Plum Island Shellfish Purification Plant this past December—threatening to end a tradition that has sustained generations of harvesters.
The challenges facing our clam fishery mirror those confronting oyster restoration: warming waters, changing ecosystems, and the urgent need for climate adaptation. Wayne brings 13 years of experience developing nationally recognized climate resilience models at the Ipswich River Watershed Association, and he'll explore potential pathways forward for this iconic fishery.
And there's more good news to share! Volunteers from the Mass Oyster Project will be on hand to answer questions about the successful launch of the Newburyport upweller and our progress growing baby oysters from spat to release into the waters off Plum Island. It's a perfect opportunity to learn about both the challenges and successes in our local shellfish restoration efforts.
Whether you're passionate about shellfish restoration, coastal heritage, or building resilience in the face of climate change, this talk offers valuable insights into the future of our waters.
Event Details:
Doors open at 6:30 PM; presentation begins at 7:00 PM
Free and open to the public
Q&A session to follow
Mass Oyster Project volunteers available for updates
RSVP encouraged at storm-surge.org
We hope you'll join us for what promises to be an engaging and important conversation.