Harbor Water Quality

Concerned about the potential impacts of nutrient loading on the harbor and committed to expert independent research on important issues facing our community, in 2010 ReMain joined with the Nantucket Community Association, Nantucket Yacht Club, Great Harbor Yacht Club, Anglers Club, Nantucket Conservation Foundation and various individuals, in funding a Water Quality Monitoring Project through the Town of Nantucket's Marine and Coastal Resources Department. 

The Marine Department's staff completed extensive sampling the water in the harbor and several ponds from May through September, 2010. The analysis of these samples for nutrient overloading was done by the School for Marine Science and Technology at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. The final report was presented to the public on July 14, 2011 at the Coffin School by Brian Howes of SMAST at UMASS Dartmouth along with Tara Riley, Nantucket's Shellfish Biologist.

A grant toward additional water quality monitoring was also awarded to the University of Massachusetts, Boston's Field Station. The focus of this study was to compliment the Marine Department's monitoring work by testing for residual chemicals and conducting several intensive sampling sessions in conjunction with the new moon tidal cycles on peak weekends during the summer of 2010. This study is available here.

A healthy harbor forms the foundation of our local economy - for fishing, recreation, tourism, and transport.  There is a strong connection between the health of Nantucket's harbor and its downtown, as one can not thrive without the other.