THEY ALL HAD A BALL

To the editor:

More than 400 people attended the fourth annual Scallopers Ball on Friday evening. This record turnout shows that not only do people like a good party but, more importantly, they are concerned about the well-being of Nantucket's harbors and its shellfish. The outpouring of support was very gratifying.

Sponsored this year in collaboration with Sustainable Nantucket, the Scalloper's Ball has become one of the highlights of the off-season. We particularly want to thank the Nantucket Yacht Club for its generous support, as well as the sponsors, the Ball Committee and the many volunteers who pulled together to provide a wonderful evening. Without the hard work of Christine Silverstein and Tara Grunwald, it would not have happened.

Ms. Silverstein, for her wonderful contributions to Nantucket's shellfishery and harbor quality, has been elected a Life Member of the Nantucket Shellfish Association and received its first Golden Scallop Award.

NSA has three immediate goals. One is to continue and expand the research on bay scallops already under way.

The second is to convert the Brant Point Boat House into a center for propagation, research and education under the auspices of the Nantucket Marine Collaborative - a joint venture of the NSA, the Marine and Coastal Resources Department of the Town of Nantucket, the Maria Mitchell Association, the Nantucket Field Station of UMass-Boston and the Nantucket Public Schools. That project has received some seed funding and is now being launched.

The third goal is the adoption within the next twelve months of a Shellfish Management Plan for the island, as mandated in the 2007 Nantucket Harbors Plan. The achievement of these goals will go a long way to insuring the future of Nantucket's bay scallops and other shellfish which are so important to Nantucket's economy and to its recreational appeal.

We look forward to the 2008 Scalloper's Ball. In the meantime, there is much to be done. NSA thanks the Nantucket Community for its continuing support and enthusiasm.

Sincerely,

- Pennel Ames, President, Nantucket Shellfish Association