Our Shell Resource: Shell Recycling on Martha's Vineyard

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with all your left over clam shells after making a big pot of chowder, you might be surprised to learn that shells are recyclable too. This Saturday, the Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group, Inc. (MVSG) is hosting a to explore the ideas and challenges of shell recycling on the Vineyard.

The MVSG is a non-profit organization made up of a consortium of the Shellfish Departments of the Island’s six towns. For over thirty years, the MVSG’s program of community resource management has sought to preserve and expand the Island's traditional shellfisheries.

According to Shellfish Biologist Jessie Kanozak, MVSG’s oyster restoration projects require a large amount of shell material. “Shell is a valuable resource needed for the continuation of oyster populations, and often there is a shortage of shell,” said Kanozak, saying that often the MVSG has had to purchase shell from off Island.

Meanwhile, Kanozak noted that, “Local restaurants serve up heaping piles of shellfish in the peak-season, and all those discarded shells end up in the trash, and inevitable in the dumpster, traveling off island, never to be seen on MV again.” Thus began the MV Shell Recovery Partnership. “Shell recycling closes the gap between restaurant waste and conservation efforts,” she said.

According to Kanozak, the three goals of the Shell Recovery are:

• To reduce bulk waste (shells) from the Vineyard waste stream for recycling
• Improve Water quality by providing an acid buffer from water acidification as shells are primarily calcium carbonate
• To provide a natural resource of shell to protect and maintain local shellfish habitat

This weekend’s workshop will address such important questions as: What benefits do shells bring to our pond ecosystems? How may shell recycling impact the Vineyard refuse stream? How can businesses and citizens get involved?

The workshop will also feature special guest Stephan Abel, Executive Director of the Maryland Oyster Recovery Partnership. Abel will present about the successful shell recycling that is happening now in the Chesapeake area.

Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group Director Rick Karney, and Emma Green-Beach of the Marine Biological Laboratory will talk about the importance of shell in marine ecosystems and Kanozak will report on the progress of the first year of the Martha's Vineyard Shell Recovery Partnership.

The workshop will conclude with a panel brainstorming ways to expand the program and make it sustainable. 

This event is free and open to the public. Coffee and lunch (including State Road donated freshly made quahog chowder) will be served.

Our Shell Resource: Shell Recycling on Martha's Vineyard takes place Saturday January 21, 2012, 11:00am-2:00pm at the Wakeman Center, Lamberts Cove Road, Vineyard Haven, MA. For more information, email Rick Karney at mvsg@comcast.net