State police Tuesday said they are not considering the death of Tafari Campbell, who was found in Edgartown Great Pond earlier this week, suspicious. A post-mortem examination by the state medical examiner found no external trauma or injuries.
Officials identified the 45-year-old man who went missing Sunday as Tafari Campbell, of Dumfries, Va. Mr. Campbell had served as the sous chef at the White House during the Obama presidency.
An insidious disease that afflicts oysters but is not harmful to humans is widespread in Edgartown Great Pond. While there are not yet any reports of die-offs, there is concern that at least a portion of the oysters in the pond will die.
A serious oyster disease that has afflicted Edgartown Great Pond for years is now in Tisbury Great Pond and it is expected to cause a major die-off in the months ahead.
The disease known as Dermo is not harmful to humans in any way but it is responsible for having caused the collapse of the oyster fisheries from Cape Cod to the Gulf of Mexico. The only cure, according to Rick Karney of the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group would be a frigid winter. The parasite that causes the disease can’t stand bitter cold water.
Following a banner year for Island bay scallops, the town of Edgartown has opted to extend commercial bay scallop season in Cape Pogue an extra two weeks until April 14.
Wastewater discharge from urbanization to the north and east of Edgartown Great Pond has been identified as the primary source of increased nitrogen loading in the pond, according to a new study by a Woods Hole scientist.
