Martha’s Vineyard Ocean Sustainability

Charlotte McCarron in collaboration with Elise Quebec

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

Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah) Natural Resources Department

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 Ocean Sustainability Program

10th Youth Leadership Summit Dedicated to Oceans

MVYLI’s Oceans Sustainability Program

Cronkite Awards 2014: Dr. Sylvia Earle & Sam Low

MVYLI’s Beach Clean UpOcean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup

Vineyard Haven Harbor Beach

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

Martha’s Vineyard Hope Spots

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

What can we do? Join Beach Clean Ups

Volunteer with these organizations

Internships & Summer Jobs

Learn about science:

Become a STEM Champion!

Visit Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution