The Martha's Vineyard Times Shellfish Group poised to govern shellfish hatchery A bill that will give greater control of the Hughs Hatchery to the Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group awaits Gov. Baker's signature. — Rich Saltzberg A bill sponsored by state Rep. Dylan Fernandes, D-Falmouth, to provide greater autonomy to the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group with a 15-year lease at the John T. Hughes Hatchery and Research Station in Oak Bluffs has passed the Massachusetts House and Senate. The bill is on Gov. Charlie Baker’s desk, awaiting a signature. The Shellfish Group has long used the hatchery as a facility to conduct research and to propagate oysters, scallops and other shellfish.