Sailors for the Sea has established a set of standards for a Clean Regatta. As part of our Clean Regatta we have three goals:
1. Generate less waste throughout the event
2. Reduce the amount of trash that ends up in the water or on the shore
3. Reduce pollution in the harbor.
The event sponsors and organizers have worked together to adopt Sailors for the Sea's standards for a Clean Regatta, and developed a comprehensive program to achieve the environmental goals we have set. We were proud to receive both Silver and Bronze Level certification in 2009, and building on those actions, we received Gold Level recognition in 2010.
In 2010 Nantucket Community Sailing created the Clean Harbor Award, sponsored by Carlin Contracting, to recognize those individuals and organizations who were making a significant contribution to improving and maintain the water quality of Nantucket's harbors and waters. We were pleased to recognize 18 organizations for their efforts (click ). The application for 2011 Clean Harbor Award can be downloaded by . A letter from the Clean Harbor Award Committee is and explains the process. Applications are due back to Nantucket Community Sailing by July 1, 2011, and winner(s) will be announced on Saturday, August 20th at Nantucket Yacht Club during Nantucket Race Week, August 13 - 21, 2011.
Nantucket has had a long history and tradition of protecting our water quality and the wetland ecosystems. Whether it is efforts to protect the island's sole source aquifer or fragile wetlands, estuaries and harbors, Nantucket has worked to ensure the health and vitality of these systems.
Like many oceanfront communities, Nantucket is challenged with nutrient overloading resulting from excessive or inappropriate development, threatening one of the island's long-standing industries. We are blessed with the last remaining viable bay scallop fishery in the northeast. Both Nantucket and Madaket harbors support a vital eelgrass habitat, which is unique in its density and quantity. Scalloping is integral to the year-round economy and is also a vibrant tourist industry during several months of the year. Various recent initiatives have been instituted to further protect of our vital harbor resources.
The Town has created the Nantucket Harbor and Madaket Harbor Watershed protection districts. All septic systems are being inspected and upgraded where necessary to reduce the amount of nitrogen from entering these harbors and causing harm. An overbalance of nitrogen accelerates algae blooms, reduces oxygen levels, diminishes light penetration, and ultimately kills eelgrass and other important marine organisms. The Town is also exploring ways to sewer certain sections of each watershed in hopes of eventually eliminating this pollution source in its entirety.
Island nonprofit organizations have collaborated to fund research programs and educate the public about issues related to water quality. The Nantucket Land Council is the primary advocacy and watchdog organization that monitors development in and around wetland areas and promotes sustainable land use practices. Awareness in the community about the harmful effects of inappropriate fertilizer use is beginning to take shape as the Land Council has promoted several fertilizer reduction initiatives on the type, quantity and use of appropriate fertilizer throughout the island. The Land Council has also undertaken a number of important research initiatives, including a project to determine the viability of transplanting eelgrass back into areas experiencing serious declines.
The University of Massachusetts Boston Field Station on Nantucket performs ongoing research to foster a better understanding of the biology of the harbor ecosystem, with a particular focus on water quality and improvement. The Maria Mitchell Association is collaborating with the Town of Nantucket to investigate the life cycle of the scallop and improve scallop populations in the harbor. Finally, the Town of Nantucket is investing in its shellfish propagation program by improving the Brant Point laboratory with necessary infrastructure and equipment and also dedicating valuable personnel. Through these and other collaborations, a dedicated effort is underway to protect the marine ecosystems of Nantucket and the important marine life that inhabit them.
Check out the that were given to all Nantucket Race Week skippers in their skipper's bags. The postcards describe our Nantucket Race Week Clean Regatta actions and where to find water to refill reusable water bottles.
