NEWBURYPORT — Storm Surge Newburyport presents “Climate Change and Shellfishing in the Merrimack River: End of a Legacy or a New Beginning?” a public talk on Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. at the Senior/Community Center, 331 High St., Newburyport.
The talk, part of the Storm Surge 2025/2026 Speaker Series, will examine the future of the Merrimack River’s storied soft-shell clam fishery following the December 2024 closure of the state’s only shellfish purification plant.
Speaker Wayne Castonguay, regional shellfish program leader for the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, will discuss how rising seas and coastal erosion forced the permanent closure of the century-old Plum Island facility, which had served as the lifeline for one of New England’s most productive fisheries. The closure threatens to end a tradition that has sustained generations of harvesters and supplied restaurants nationwide. Castonguay will explore the rich history of this iconic fishery, examine how climate change is reshaping coastal industries, and present potential pathways forward.
Castonguay brings unique expertise to this challenge, combining scientific knowledge with personal connection to these waters. After leading the Ipswich River Watershed Association for 13 years, where he developed nationally recognized climate adaptation models, he returned to the Division of Marine Fisheries specifically to help coastal communities build resilience in the face of climate change.
A Q&A session will follow, offering residents an opportunity to discuss local applications. NCMHub will broadcast the event with an online archive available afterward.
The speaker series is sponsored by the Institution for Savings.