MV CYANO
MV CYANO is a collaborative initiative among Island Boards of Health and scientists from Great Pond Foundation to monitor cyanobacteria on Martha’s Vineyard.
Cyanobacteria, a.k.a. blue-green algae, are a group of microorganisms found in all Vineyard waters. When cyanobacteria grow rapidly or bloom, they can produce cyanotoxins, which when concentrated, can cause adverse health effects in humans, pets, or livestock who wade in or ingest blooming waters.
Edgartown Great Pond
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Chilmark Pond
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Tisbury Great Pond
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Crackatuxet Pond
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Mink Meadows Yacht Basin
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Mink Meadows
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Look’s Pond
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James Pond
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Seth’s Pond
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Squibnocket Pond
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Lagoon Pond
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Watcha Pond
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Little Homers Pond
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Wilfred’s Pond
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What happened in 2022?
What happened in 2021?
In 2021 this coordinated pilot program monitored cyanobacteria presence and potential for toxic blooms in Chilmark Pond, Tisbury Great Pond, Edgartown Great Pond, and Crackatuxet Pond. 2022 cyanobacteria monitoring will begin in May.
Watch and Listen
What is MV CYANO? Listen & Watch:
HOW IT WORKS
- Great Pond Foundation scientific staff collect & analyze environmental and cyanobacteria data weekly
- Data and analyses are sent to Island Boards of Health for review
- Island Boards of Health use Massachusetts and EPA recreational limits and issue public health recommendations
- MV CYANO releases coordinated color-coded maps indicating the cyanobacteria bloom risk level and associated recommendations as seen on the right –>
- Signage will also be posted along pond shores if YELLOW, ORANGE, or RED risk levels are present.
OUR PARTNERS
This program was developed through a collaboration of Island Boards of Health
with scientific and financial support provided by
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
If you have come into contact with a cyanobacteria bloom and are having adverse health symptoms, please contact your physician immediately. Please also follow up with your local board of health.
If your pet or livestock has come in contact with a cyanobacteria bloom, please contact your veterinarian immediately. Please also follow up with your local board of health.
For blooms in Edgartown Great Pond, Crackatuxet Pond, Sengekontacket Pond, or within the Town of Edgartown:
Brice Boutot, Edgartown Board of Health Agent | p: 508.627.6120 | e: healthagent@edgartown-ma.us
For blooms in Tisbury Great Pond, or within the Towns of West Tisbury and Chilmark:
Alex Lam, West Tisbury Board of Health Agent | p: 508.696.0105 | e: boh@westtisbury-ma.gov
For blooms in Chilmark Pond, or within the Town of Chilmark:
Anna McCaffrey, Chilmark Board of Health Administrator | p: 508.645.2105 | e: boh@chilmarkma.gov
For blooms in Sengekontacket Pond, or within the Town of Oak Bluffs:
Alexa Arieta, Oak Bluffs Board of Health Agent | p: 508.693.3554 ex127 | e: aarieta@oakbluffsma.gov.
For blooms in Lake Tashmoo, or within the Town of Tisbury:
Drew Belsky, Tisbury Board of Health Agent | p: 774.563.3870 | e: dbelsky@tisburyma.gov
For blooms within the Town of Aquinnah:
Marina Lent, Aquinnah Board of Health Agent | p: 508.645.2309 | e: health-agent@aquinnah-ma.gov