The mission of NSA is to preserve & protect Nantucket’s harbors, water quality, AND shellfish fisheries.

Our work at NSA focuses on the protection & preservation of Nantucket’s shellfish fisheries.

We take the lead on many harbor initiatives, programs & education, grants & scholarship and also throw celebration events to raise awareness among our our island community about the impact we all have our prized Nantucket shellfish.

Additionally, we collaborate with other organizations, researchers, and partners on joint projects that involve associated areas - eelgrass management & research, stormwater runoff, sea level rise, and everything & anything that can effect the water quality in Nantucket harbors. 

Nantucket harbors are where our shellfish call home and we believe NSA must do everything possible to protect this home.

HARBOR
INITIATIVES

  • From organizing Nantucket Bay Scallop seed stranding rescues to helping manage Nantucket Oyster seed production to initiatives focused on protecting the water quality in Nantucket’s harbor, NSA has a responsibility to not only lead in this area but also to support & collaborate with other organizations on island and the Town of Nantucket’s Natural Resources department.

    Protecting our harbors can only be achieved by a collaborative effort. We believe we must support research, educate our community, and collectively work on harbor initiatives together to make a difference in protecting our prized Nantucket Shellfish.

PROGRAMS
& EDUCATION

  • In the Fall 2024 we launched NSA RS101 (Recreational Scalloping) and NSA SS101 (Student Scalloping). Both programs proved to be a massive success getting many adults from our community and over 70 middle school students into the water to dive for our beloved Nantucket Bay Scallops.

    In 2025 we are expanding both NSA Programs to get more youth in the water to see our bay scallops up close and personal. This program brings goosebumps to all involved as many kids have only been on or near the water at the beach and when on the ferry.

    We are partnering with both the Hatchery and The Nantucket Boys & Girls Club to expand our programs & education reach and make it inspiring and understandable for all.

CELEBRATION
EVENTS

  • We host four ticketed events every year for our island community to celebrate Nantucket shellfish.

    The NSA Shellfish Trilogy of events includes NSA Scallopalooza (April), NSA OysterFest (June), and NSA Clam Jam (November).

    Our marquee event is NSA Scallopers Ball which we throw at the start of the Nantucket Bay Scallop Season every October. SB serves as our primary fundraiser event with an auction & raffle in an effort to financially support the programs & education, student scholarships, grants, and harbor initiatives that NSA leads.

STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

  • Each year NSA accepts applicatiosn for and ultimately grants scholarships to college students pursuing studies in maritime, environmental sustainability, and / or aquaculture research.

    In 2024, NSA awarded $15,000 to five students: Hawkin Edwards (Cornell), Mia Kotalac (Harvard), Eli Fuller (UVM), Evan Balenger (Montana State), and Alex Freeman (UNH).

    In 2025, with the help of additional donations and grants we are applying for NSA hopes to increase our ability to offer larger grants and to more aspiring students in the maritime and shellfish fields.

RESEARCH
GRANTS

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SHELLFISH
GRANTS

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SPEAKER
SERIES

  • We love to get our community in conversation with people that work in Nantucket shellfish industry. We have been asked by many orgs, clubs, and people to host a talk so their audience can learn more about Nantucket Shellfish and why we work so hard to protect this industry and iconic + cultural piece of Nantucket’s identity. Our partner, Nantucket Yacht Club, had us over so our Oyster Farmers could share their knowledge and insight about the industry and answer questions from the audience. We are ramping the NSA Speaker Series in 2025, accepting invitations from interested parties and also launched a podcast that will feature some Nantucket shellfish living legends as well as address pressing concerns on the industry. If you are interested inviting us to an event you or your organization is hosting, please feel free to reach out.

FISHERMENS
COUNCIL

  • The Nantucket Shellfish Association serves as an industry liaison through the Fishermen’s Council so we can better understand the issues facing the commercial shellfish community.

    The Fishermen’s Council is open to those who hold commercial shell fishing licenses or aquaculture permits on Nantucket and others whose livelihood is based on the water.

    By facilitating periodic meetings, the waterfront community is able to discuss issues and brainstorm ideas.

    NSA leans on the experience of the fishing community to help guide our organizational direction and initiatives that concern the health of the harbor and shellfishery.