Climate Change and Shellfishing in the Merrimack River: End of a Legacy or a New Beginning?

Summary: Massachusetts' Last Shellfish Plant Closes Forever

When: Oct 21, 2025

Time:23:00 - 00:30

Description

Climate Change and Shellfishing in the Merrimack River: End of a Legacy or a New Beginning? 

Speaker: Wayne Castonguay, Regional Shellfish Program Supervisor, MA Division of Marine Fisheries

With the closure of the only Shellfish Purification Plant in Massachusetts in December 2024 due to coastal erosion and sea level rise, the future of shellfishing in the Merrimack River estuary is in doubt. Wayne Castonguay will discuss the history of this important fishery, how it's being threatened by climate change, and propose a path forward for this iconic world class fishery.

Description: 

The December 2024 closure of Massachusetts' only Shellfish Purification Plant marks a pivotal moment for one of New England's most productive fisheries. For decades, this facility on Plum Island—the nation's oldest and largest depuration plant—has been the lifeline for Merrimack River estuary clams, purifying harvests from waters impacted by upstream development before they reach consumers nationwide.

Now, rising seas and coastal erosion have forced the plant's permanent closure, threatening to end a world-class soft-shell clam fishery that has sustained generations of harvesters and supplied restaurants across the country. The question facing the industry is stark: Is this the end of a centuries-old tradition, or can innovation and adaptation chart a new course forward?

Wayne Castonguay will explore the rich history of this iconic fishery, examine how climate change is reshaping coastal industries, and present potential pathways to preserve this vital resource for future generations.

Part of the Storm Surge Speaker Series

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