<p>The 4-1 vote clears the way for brothers Greg and Dan Martino to begin a pioneering aquaculture venture. There were complaints from abutters and concerns about navigation, but the town strongly backed the project as a boost to the shellfishery.
The Oak Bluffs selectmen threw their support behind a pioneering aquaculture venture Tuesday, granting a license for an oyster farm off Eastville Beach.
Brothers Dan and Greg Martino plan to grow 50,000 oysters per year in bottom cages near the Vineyard Haven drawbridge beginning in spring of 2015 in the first operation of its kind in town. The farm will be called Cottage City Oysters.
The vote in their favor came at the end of a lengthy hearing which scrutinized the Martino’s proposal and sparked debate and controversy among abutters and members of the boating community.
The two-acre farm is planned for an area which has not seen aquaculture before, and concerns have been raised about the site’s vulnerability to the elements and its effect on navigation.
In response to concerns from boaters, the brothers have modified their proposal to mitigate the navigational obstacles, and have outlined a plan to hedge against storms.
But questions remained Tuesday.
Dan Pesch, a member of the junior sailing committee at the Vineyard Haven Yacht Club, said the farm would curtail the activity of young sailors who have traditionally used the area for summer races.
The Martino brothers won solid support from selectmen and shellfish committee for startup aquaculture venture.
The Martino brothers won solid support from selectmen and shellfish committee for startup aquaculture venture.
He said his group counts on the area around Eastville Beach as a place to start races and hold regattas, especially since use of the harbor is already restricted by the ferry channel and large mooring fields.
“This does represent a significant impact on our ability to run races, to do things and educate the youth of the Island that sail,” Mr. Pesch said. “We certainly have significant concerns.”
Selectman Kathy Burton had a different assessment, holding up a map of the site and pointing to the areas she thought would still be navigable.
“I have sailed there frequently this fall, and I think there’s a way,” Ms. Burton said.
In the end, Mr. Pesch agreed to meet with the Martinos to come up with a solution.
The plan is to have 10 oyster cages in place by next summer and 50 by December of 2015. Their boat will be moored at the state boat landing in the neighboring Lagoon, and a floating raft will allow the Martinos to wash and cull their crop.
The aquaculture license is valid for three years. At that point, they said they may try to expand the operation without expanding the farm’s area — perhaps using laser buoys or golf-sized buoys, they said.
“We are looking to innovate as well,” said Greg Martino.
Though neighbors have voiced concerns about the potential impact on the beach and their view of the Vineyard Haven harbor, Dan Martino said the operation would have limited surface visibility and would be far from shore.
“We are over a football field’s distance away from beaches and houses,” he said.
The town shellfish committee gave the project its backing earlier this year.
“They are being overseen by a lot of people and to have that many different people have the ability to shut you down, it’s a pretty scary venture they are stepping into, I think they want to do a good job,” said Mark Landers, a member of the shellfish committee.
Ultimately, the selectmen voted 4-1 in favor of the proposal and commended the Martinos on their flexibility and willingness to adapt their plan to mitigate possible detriments.
Selectman Gail Barmakian cast the dissenting vote, saying she’d like more time to think about the proposal given new information that came to light during the hearing.
She also wanted to respect a request from the abutters’ lawyer, who had asked for an extension of the hearing.
Jack Ludwig, a resident, said a public resource was being taken away for a private use. He also said a vote was premature, given a lack of due process and transparency throughout the town’s review of the project. He said information was changed at the last minute.
The proposal has been in the works for some time.
The Martinos first proposed a farm in Lagoon Pond last year, which they said would help reduce nitrogen in the pond, but stakeholders objected to that plan.
In spring of 2013, the shellfish committee said the proposed area was too large and would interfere with commercial and recreational shellfishing, as well as other recreational activity. The board also voted 4-1 not to allow any private aquaculture in the Lagoon, and suggested that the town pursue sewering around the pond to reduce nitrogen.
But the brothers pressed on, seeking a location that would be more acceptable to the town.
Then this past March, selectmen gave preliminary approval for the farm off Eastville, pending permission from the state Division of Marine Fisheries, which arrived recently.
The current plan, though somewhat unorthodox, puts the oysters in a place where they won’t be competing with other aquaculture operations for food or space.
The Martinos must report back to the selectmen each year with a review of their activities.
In the case of negligence on the part of the Martinos, or some other failing, shellfish constable David Grunden assured the board that he had the power to force compliance with the terms of their agreement with the town.
“According to the regulations, I can shut them down without notice,” he said.
Mr. Landers said the farm would be a good thing for the town.
“We do have our fair share of bar rooms, dance halls, T-shirt shops, ice cream places,” he said. “We don’t have a fish market and it used to be a very beautiful fishing town with a great fishing industry. As a committee, we are trying to bring that back.”
Comments
Mr. Lander's heartfelt plea
Andrea Aughenbaugh 39 Beach RdMr. Lander's heartfelt plea to restore Oak Bluffs to the "very beautiful fishing town" it used to be ignores the fact that Oak Bluffs was originally and still is a tourist town. It was specifically formed to be a tourist town, and its first settlement was for seasonal visitors on the harbor.
This action on the part of the selectmen does not bring back fishing, it initiates water farming. Mr Landers will not be able to fish in Mr Martino's space nor will any recreational activity be allowed there by anyone. Oak Bluffs public waters have been leased to a very private business.
For the record, Selectman Barmakian understood the huge change that will occur in the outer harbor and urged more time for further discussion. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Too bad the Vineyard Gazette
Beth Cardoso Oak BluffsToo bad the Vineyard Gazette didn't front page the initial proposal hence informing the public of this large venture.
Great guys that we need more
Joseph Paul Uranker Oak BluffsGreat guys that we need more of here on the Vineyard, hard working and not asking the government to support them. As far as public property the government wants to allow winds turbines in one of the largest fishing area in MA,and no cares. And as far as the area that will be restricted I am sure someone can and will fish around it and get the fish feeding off the bait in the area.I know Selectman Barmakian has given this a lot if thought and did not say NO, she just wanted more discussion from the Nimbies and you will never satisfy them unless they move somewhere else. So in the end it allow them to order the supplies and materials needed to be ready to go.
The lack of due diligence
Alex Oak BluffsThe lack of due diligence performed by The Selectmen, The Shellfish Committee and the Martino Brothers on the approved Eastville Oyster Farm is astounding, if not alarming. Should this approval serve as remote indication as to how these bodies typically take into consideration substantiated objections from local businesses, clubs and residents - Oak Bluffs has a great deal more to worry about than just an Oyster Farm. Hazardous location. Inaugural aquaculture venture. Great guys but inexperienced farmers. Lack of transparency and direct community engagement. And perhaps most importantly, what other parties have financial backing interests in this fledgling enterprise?
Serious questions linger despite approval and should be pursued. The Selectmen, The Shellfish Committee as well as the Martino's credibility lays in the balance. Simple further examination of these numerous concerns, as suggested by Selectmen Barmakian, would seem almost too practical to ignore.
Long live the vineyard fishing industry – but to be clear, this is not fishing, this is farming.
yes, let's be clear. a farmer
Nancy Pocassetyes, let's be clear. a farmer plants his "seed", nurtures and cares for it and then the harvest, so there are clear differences. what does a fisherman do, oh, that's right just
take and take. not to mention the goodness that an adult oyster does for a pond with their
filtering abilities, 50 gallons a day! I've witnessed what is happening in Edgartown. 12 farms, 12 nurseries in the narrows, boaters, kids being bopped around on tubes behind boats.
no one seems to have a problem "getting along" together. glad OB is stepping up to the plate.
Excellent, excellent decision
Thom Oak BluffsExcellent, excellent decision. The Vineyard is an ISLAND, and was an island of fishermen and farmers long before it was a summer playground for NIMBIES. This is an appropriate use of resources by two deserving guys - Kudos to the Selectmen for not caving in to the usual whining.
It is readily apparent that
Rich Oak BluffsIt is readily apparent that neither the OBBOS or the Martino brothers never took the time to privately meet with the residents of Eastville. A short look at aquaculture operations in other states would indicate that the permitting process is far more structured and less subjective than the process that was followed here. Need it be more apparent than to twice witness a decision maker fail to recuse himself from discussion or voting on an aquaculture operation that grows oysters when he himself owns a restaurant that sells oysters? Shame on you Oak Bluffs for not, at the very least, stopping to ask for tickets before the railroad blew through town.
I am sure his restaurant
Philippe New JerseyI am sure his restaurant relies heavily on vacationers and part time residents/taxpayers who do not visit to this island to stare at oyster farms. They come to enjoy the beautiful waters, sailing and swimming. The location of this farm is very questionable...
Sadly, these oyster's should
Alex Oak BluffsSadly, these oyster's should be more aptly marketed as 'Cronyism Cottage City Oysters.'
These brothers grew up on the
Helen O.B.These brothers grew up on the gulf coast of Texas, an area that is rich in both tourism and aquaculture. They are educated, have studied their craft, are established residents, and are contributors to the community. They have a lot of skin in the game by virtue of their unwillingness to allow outside influences to partner with them. This is a family enterprise, and one that doesn't shut down after tourist season and leave. Their aquaculture farm brings to the island the opportunity to additionally source local shellfish, boosting not only the economics, but the "buy island" mentality we are so proud of. Give them a chance and appreciate their desire to raise their families in a home grown business. But for the willingness of our forefathers to take a chance, this island would not be what we love about it today.
I don't know the Martino
Chuck Oak BluffsI don't know the Martino brothers but no doubt they are good people who want to work hard and provide for their families. I applaud their entrepeneurial spirit and perseverance. I also support aquaculture when it can be done in a safe and sustainable way. But let's be clear, this is not about either of those things. This is about an opaque government that has an apparent disdain for part time resident taxpayers, only giving superficial attention to their questions and concerns. How else can you explain why families directly effected by the proposal were not consulted or even given a fair hearing? These are families who love the Vineyard and have invested in it's schools, government, businesses, and environmental protection (in one case, for 4 generations going back to the 50's; I know, not colonial roots but still significant.) Meanwhile the slogan "NIMBY" is thrown around as a label and slur to distract from OBBOS's lack of due diligence and focus on benefiting a few citizen's commercial interests. In this case, the catchphrase "TWR" (taxation without representation) is more relevant. Thought the law supports the practice, that doesn't make it right. Shame on the OBBOS for pretending to listen when clearly their minds were made up many months ago.
Let us be clear. The BOS
Richard Aughenbaugh 39 Beach RoadLet us be clear. The BOS /Shellfish committee approval of the oyster farm has created an 85,000 sq/f:t "NO FISH ZONE" in Oak Bluffs waters.
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