Projects at Cat Cove Marine Lab
Developing projects of the Northeastern Massachusetts Aquaculture Center (NEMAC) at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory investigate the biology of regionally important shellfish (e.g., mussels, soft shelled clams, Atlantic scallops, and oysters) and finfish (e.g., flounder, striped bass, mummichogs) as well as environmental impacts of aquaculture. Additional projects focus on marine biology and ecology of coastal Massachusetts. Recent Projects include:
Soft Shell Clam Culture
Most of NEMAC’s effort at the Cat Cove Marine Laborotory focuses on the spawning and rearing of softshell clams (Mya arenaia) to 2-15 mm shell length (SL). Over 3 million clams are produced each year and distributed to communities in Massachusetts to enhance the fishery.
Hubline Clam Flat Restoration Project
Collaborative efforts between NEMAC and the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) to restore and enhance softshell clams in Boston Harborcontinue. Since 2006, over 2.5 million clams have beenspawned and grown to a suitable size (preferably > 10 mm Shell Length) at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory for release at selected sites approved by DMF personnel and Town officials in Hingham, Hull, Quincy, Weymouth and Winthrop.
Long-line Mussel Aquaculture
Experimental long-line cultures of blue mussels (Mytilus eduluis) have been deployed off the coast of Rockport and Gloucester to evaluate the potential for growing blue mussels in nearshore waters.
Salem Harbor Winter Flounder Survey
This spring, researchers at the Cat Cove Marine Laboratory conducted a survey of adult spawning winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus) and planktonic larval sampling of the waters near the Salem Ferry dock.
Monitoring Marine Invasive Organisms in Salem Harbor
Working with Salem Sound Coastwatch and the international SETL project, the marine fouling community is monitored on a quarterly basis by researchers and students at Salem State College.
Long-term Ecological Monitoring of Rocky Subtidal Substrates in Massachusetts Bay
Since 1977, Ken Sebens at the University of Washington, Friday Harbor Laboratories has continued to monitor the rocky subtidal community at 5 sites in Massachusetts Bay with assistance from Ted Maney at Salem State College. Two sites are at Halfway Rock outside Salem Harbor and three sites are off East Point, Nahant.