News
Overfishing may be the buzz word on the waterfront to explain the decline of many stocks of fish around Vineyard waters, but it isn’t heard often enough when it comes to explaining the loss of bait fish.
On Wednesday night at the Chilmark Public Library, a lone man stood before an audience of anglers and commercial fishermen to report the worst environmental tale needing to be told is the loss of one of the most valued forage fish in the ocean, which used to swim in abundance in these waters but is almost gone — menhaden.
By MARK ALAN LOVEWELL
This is a summer of leatherback sea turtle sightings by local fishermen. Capt. Dick Smith of the charter fishing boat Patriot Too has seen quite a few of these large sea turtles in Vineyard waters.
“During the summer, the jellyfish come through Nantucket and Vineyard sounds,” Mr. Smith said. “Leatherback sea turtles are usually out there on the Gulf Stream, but their diet is jellyfish, so they are here.”
Earlier in July, the captain said, he saw quite a few sea turtles almost daily.
Sails and masts from Bermuda rose high over Vineyard Haven harbor this past weekend. The 89-foot, three-masted schooner Spirit of Bermuda made its first visit to the Island, a collaboration involving two nonprofit organizations, Sail Martha’s Vineyard and Boston MedFlight.
The 2-year-old vessel’s inaugural visit was significant for a number of reasons.
Scoop Up Fun With Run
The annual Vineyard Scoops Fun Run begins Sunday, August 3, at The Farm Institute, with an 8:45 a.m. fun run for tots and 9 a.m. 5K run/walk for all. Entry is $15 in advance or $20 on race day for the 5K. It’s $5 for fun run, or $50 to register the whole family. Applications are available at Scoops Ice Cream on the corner of Main and South Summer streets in Edgartown or online at mvmultisport.com. For more information, call 508-627-8303.
Class on Fly-Fishing
A fly-fishing class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon Saturday, August 9, at the Martha’s Vineyard Rod and Gun Club off Third street North in Edgartown.
Sandra Demel and John Kollett will provide individualized instruction. Equipment will be provided or feel free to use your own. The class size is limited. The fee is $85 for club members and $100 for non-members. For information and to preregister, call 508-693-6338.
What do windsurfing, fashion design and the YMCA of Martha’s Vineyard have in common? Water. Nevin and Stina Sayre of Vineyard Haven have a lot of experience in and around the water, and their belief in its importance to the Island population has inspired them to host a fundraising party for the YMCA on Wednesday, August 6.