Martha's Vineyard Surfcasters Association

Fisheries and Conservation

December, 2006 Updates from the Environment/Action Committee

Public Access at the Oak Bluffs SSA Pier

The state of Massachusetts has approved the application by the SSA for reconstruction of the O.B. Pier. Fishing access was not mandated by the state and in separate discussions with us, the SSA indicates they cannot budget for a public access dock. They did, however, say they would be willing to install/maintain a floating dock if it can be funded by other sources such as Community Preservation Act funds. In our discussions with Oak Bluffs town representatives, wew found that their CPA people are supportive of this as well as selectman Kerry Scott. We are reviewing an application package to see if it would be appropriate for the Surfcasters to actually file an application with the CPA committee in an effort to keep tjhis project alive. This years applications are due by 12/1. We have asked the SSA through Mark Hanover to assist with drawings specs and a description of the scope of the project. The SSA has estimated they would need $150,000 to fund this project.

Herring Creek restoration project

We are continuing to montior activity with respect to the Herring Creek restoration project. It was a slow summer for this effort as various plans and applications have been going back and forth between the Edgartown Ponds committee and the Dredge committee as they continue to define the scope of the project and its’ impacts on Katama Bay, Edgartown Pond and Craxtucket pond. Like many other activities on the Vineyard, fall and winter are the times when the most progress is made on the planning end of these types of projects.

General dredging activities

As a result of contacts made as we follow the herring Creek project, we are also following some of the various dredge projects going on throughout the island. We are currently a member of the Tisbury Dredge committee and have attended a couple of meetings. Planning for a comprehensive approach to problems at Tashmoo is underway. Their primatry concerns include silting within the main channel, resurrecting two side channels, and conducting an investigation of what may be a bedrock shelf near the south jetty at the pond entrance.

This fall some minor dredging is going on under previously received permits at Sengekontacket and in the back end of Katama bay.

The various committees seem to be welcoming our involvement since they can always use the support of stakeholder groups like us with interests in water quality, fishing and public access.

Water Quality discussion for December Surfcasters’ meeting

A short slideshow covering water quality issues in the great ponds on MV will be presented at December’s meeting. The threats of pollution to our waterways have a direct bearing on the health of recreational fishing. If you think fishing was tough this fall, imagine what would happen if the water quality in our ponds deteriorated to the point where the outflow water actually served to keep fish away from our shoreline. Wendy Culbert, who is the Public Advocacy Coordinator for the Vineyard Conservation Society, has been making this presentation to concerned groups all over the island. The initiative is also tied to the Massachusetts Estuaries project currently underway to define the health of the ponds.