WELLFLEET Shellfish Constable Nancy Civetta was dressed in layers on a recent Saturday at the Wellfleet Town Pier. Her head was covered in a hood, her face was masked and her hands were gloved as the wind whipped off the harbor.
She was inspecting product for the shellfish farmers market that she helped initiate this past winter. Bags of razor clams, little necks, cherrystones and oysters were gathered in tubs in a refrigerated van. Civetta had to give her approval before they were passed out to more than 100 customers waiting patiently in line in their cars.
Civetta has been the town’s shellfish constable for only 3½ years. So, when the Massachusetts Shellfish Officers Association recently announced her selection as Shellfish Constable of the Year for 2021, she said, she was surprised and humbled.
Wicked Local
Aquaculture is not a name that rolls easily off the tongue when people are asked to pick an important state industry. Fact is, though, it is a significant business segment with billions in annual sales – and could be even more vital in the future.
The Massachusetts Shellfish Initiative is hoping to change people’s perspective about shellfish farming and harvesting. A taskforce of legislators, state agencies and industry leaders has just released a proposed strategic plan with recommendations for coordinating resources, fostering sustainability, ensuring sound ecosystems and improving communication so everyone understands the stakes.
“Aquaculture is crucial for our economy,” said state Sen. Susan Moran, who serves on the MSI Task Force. “I think it will bloom and blossom as we come out of COVID-19. Aquaculture offers a lot of work opportunities with livable wages.”