martha’s vineyard ocean sustainability
Post on 07-Aug-2015
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Why are oceans important?
We are an ISLAND and WATER is important
Cover about three-quarters of the Earth
Create and regulate weather around the globe
Help produce water, food, and oxygen
The well-being of societies, economies, and the environment are all interdependentEx: Fishing and shell-fishing – important in the
generating income, but over-harvesting or pollution of or surrounding oceans can be devastating
Background and History
Martha’s Vineyard and its surrounding area was shaped by glaciers
The Wampanoag tribes and early settlers built around bodies of water Source of nourishment -
fish and shellfish Travel and recreation
Historic dependence on the health and well being of our aquatic ecosystems
The Legend of Moshup A giant, mystical being
named Moshup was responsible for creating Martha’s Vineyard or Noepe (“dry place”)
Dragged his feet heavily as he made his way to Noepe, broadening the ocean and creating a deeper divide
Separated Noepe from the mainland (the Vineyard Sound) as an escape from the war on the mainland
Our Aquifers “A layer of rock or sand that can absorb and hold water”
Beneath Edgartown, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, and West Tisbury
Smaller aquifers in Chilmark, West Tisbury, Aquinnah, and Chappaquidick
Ground water is our only source replenishing the aquifers – EPA deemed it a “soul source aquifer” in 1988
Watersheds of Martha’s Vineyard
A watershed is an (unmarked) area that shows how rainwater percolates or runs from areas of higher elevation to areas of lower elevation
Our NitrogenWhere does it come from?
Golf courses, lawns, gardens, and farms – pesticides used in fertilizers
Septic tanks – concentrated amounts of urine produce and excess of nitrogen
Pollution – pollution from cars makes it’s way into the water cycle through air and evaporation from the street
The Challenge: Too Much Nitrogen
Nitrogen = algae and phytoplankton
As phytoplankton and algae increase they can suffocate eelgrass and reduce the amount of sunlight is able to penetrate the water
Eelgrass provides a habitat for scallops, blue crabs, and many other forms of marine wildlife
The Challenge:
Ocean Acidification Carbon pollution = ocean acidification
The more carbon dioxide that is emitted into the air, the more CO2 that dissolves into the ocean
The Challenge: Ocean Acidification
Pollution feeds algae blooms
Bacteria feed on algae and use up oxygen while releasing an excess of CO2
CO2 interferes with calcium carbonate ions in salt water Harder for marine life to construct and maintain calcium-
based shells and exoskeletons Ex: lobsters, snails, shrimp
The Challenge:Overfishing & Pollution
Overfishing Combated by fishing seasons and size restrictions Ex: scallop season and harvesting size restrictions
Pollution Seen with nitrogen and carbon dioxide Cycles: what goes up must come down
Martha’s Vineyard Commission
A planning agency on the Island with a mission to “protect the unique ‘natural, historical, ecological, scientific, [and] cultural’ qualities of the Vineyard”
Works to monitor the aquifer and watersheds
Harbor management and water quality monitoring
Beaches, shoreline, and coastal pond management
MVC in Collaboration with Others
Coastal Ponds
Coastal Ponds Overview Status Report
MVC Island Plan
Martha’s Vineyard Wastewater Management Study
Martha’s Vineyard Water Alliance
Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) Natural Resources Department
Cape Cod Wastewater Management Initiative
Massachusetts Estuaries Project
Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group
Seeks to “preserve and expand the Island’s traditional shellfisheries”
Shellfish include: quahogs, scallops, and oysters
Works with all six towns to establish aquaculture rules and regulations
Legal size for harvesting shellfish – allows the species to naturally replenish itself
Shellfishing license Works to improve and maintain water quality
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary
194 acres of conservation land
Preserves natural habitats and wildlife
Conservation Projects: Promotes sustainability in the conservation of energy
and water, and by educating our community (summer camps and partnership with island schools
The Osprey Monitoring Program“Represent renewal and triumph over hardship” In 1969 there were only 2 pairs of nesting osprey on the
VineyardThreatened by a pesticide DDT and a lack of nesting sitesOnce DDT was banned (in 1972) and nesting sites were
established (built poles and placed on telephone poles) the species grew in number
BioDiversity WorksBeach nesters – protecting and researching the
Piping plovers (federally protected, threatened species)
Coastal river otters that have recently been inhabiting the waters of Martha’s Vineyard
Vineyard Conservation Society
VCS believes “that the health of our Island and its waters will increasingly depend on an informed and mobilized public”
Open Space Preservation
Clean Water Initiative
Vineyard Lawns Campaign
Climate Change Adaptation
Zero Waste Events
The Trustees of Reservation
Cape Pogue, Long Point, Menemsha Hills, Mytoi Japanese Garden, Norton Point, and Wasque
Open conservation land up for public enjoyment
Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation
Maintenance of native plant and wildlife communities
Conservation of agricultural land
Watershed Organizations
Dukes County Conservation Commission
Friends of Sengekontacket
Great Pond Foundation
Lagoon Pond Association
Oak Bluffs Conservation Commission
Oak Bluffs Shellfish Department
Squibnocket Pond District Advisory
Tisbury Waterways, Inc.
West Tisbury Conservation Commission
MVYLI’s Ocean Sustainability Program
Secretary John Kerry’s Our Oceans Conference: 2014
Sylvia Earle - a pioneer in the field of oceanography and marine biology author, lecturer, explorer Sylvia is at the forefront of deep ocean exploration and is seen here at
Our Oceans Conference 2014
Conference was a turning point for ocean conservation as leaders all over the world announced commitments and plans for its protection
MVYLI’s Field Trip to WHOI
We are the future and we must understand the importance of our oceans, science, and engineering.
Other Projects
Projects to improve knowledge of wildlife biology to effectively manage resources and funded by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
o Bay Scallop Restoration Program Tribal fisherman rely on bay scallops for livelihood They now grow scallops, control predators, monitor water
quality and restore eelgrass
o Winter Flounder Restoration Program Winter flounder has declined Used tribal hatchery to spawn growth of flounder Cooperative effort from tribal members, Duke’s County
Fisherman’s Association and the University of New Hampshire
MVYLI Field Trip to WHOIThey rolled out the Red Carpet for us!
Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL)
Marine Resources Center
The Ecosystems Center
NOAA Fisheries
National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration
WHOI’s Deep Submergence Lab
DVS Alvin & R/V Knorr
Woods Hole Aquarium
Ocean Day The Institute’s 11th Annual Youth Leadership Summit
for Sustainable Development
Our Faculty
Dr. Sylvia Earle (via skype) Dr. Sarah Oktay, Nantucket Field Station
Presentations on Island Best Practices
MV West Tisbury School: Straw Free MV
Hawaii: Windward, Oahu
Hawaii: Waimea, Hawaii Island
MVYLI Ocean Sustainability-In-Action Projects
Global Blue Sustainability Projects: Worldwide Voyage with Hokulea (via skype/Google Hangout)
Workgroups: Islands = Sustainability in Action Projects
Pathways Ocean Art Project
MVYLI’s Ocean Literary Education Campaign 2015-2016
1. Produce 5 minute educational video
2. Educational Outreach Campaign
• MVRHS Library Hosts School Assembly
• Training using video & NOAA curriculum
• Premiere event with seasonal residents
3. Ocean Literary Education Campaign
• MVYLI youth show video at K-12 schools
4. MVRHS Science Fair Projects
• MVYLI video presentation
• Outcomes: WHOI judge (s) + Science Projects
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