Menemsha Pond and Katama Bay reopened to oyster harvesting on Friday morning after being closed for a week to investigate several cases of gastrointestinal illness. 

The state Division of Marine Fisheries closed Menemsha Pond and Katama Bay to oyster harvesting last week as a precaution after people have become infected with a gastrointestinal illness.

Its scientific name is Codium fragile, but for many beachcombers across the Island the invasive macroalgae goes by a more ominous title: dead man’s fingers.

Charlie Shipway’s sailing journey began at the long-running Menemsha Pond Races, led to the Barcelona Olympics, and then returned to the Vineyard and the Sunfish craft he first learned on.

Dredging has begun at Herring Creek, the shallow run that connects Menemsha and Squibnocket Ponds, marking the final phase of a five-year project.

As Menemsha Channel is dredged for first time in decades, Chilmark and Aquinnah officials are protecting Menemsha Pond from increased boat traffic.