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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Liz Wiley, Executive Director
info@marioninstitute.org
(508) 748-0816
Website: marioninstitute.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2025 Food Summit to Spotlight Coastal Wastewater
Legislation and Aquaculture Resilience
New Bedford, MA – September 22, 2025 — The Marion Institute’s Southcoast Food
Policy Council (SFPC) will host its annual Food Summit on Friday, October 3, 2025,
from 2:00–3:30 PM at UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology
(SMAST – East Building). This year’s event will focus on the urgent intersection of
wastewater infrastructure, public health, and the future of Massachusetts’
aquaculture industry.
The summit will spotlight Bill H1000/S638, filed by Senator Mark Montigny and
Representatives Christopher Markey and Mark Sylvia, which proposes the creation of
a Coastal Waters Wastewater Financing Committee. This legislative commission
would be tasked with identifying funding strategies for critical wastewater
infrastructure upgrades, targeting nitrogen pollution and outdated sewer systems
that endanger coastal ecosystems, public health, and the state’s thriving shellfish
industry.
Communities directly impacted include Acushnet, Carver, Dartmouth, Fairhaven,
Lakeville, Gosnold, Marion, Mattapoisett, Middleborough, New Bedford, Plymouth,
Rochester, Wareham, and Westport. In recent years, increasingly frequent CSOrelated
(Combined Sewer Outflow) closures—driven by superstorms—have
devastated shellfish harvesters, threatening both local livelihoods and a vital source
of regional protein.
Summit Highlights
• Panel discussions on the impacts of CSO closures on shellfish farming and
aquaculture
• Legislative goals and strategies to secure funding for wastewater
infrastructure
• Exploring a potential regional coalition to support sustainable solutions
Featured Speakers
• Municipal Wastewater Superintendent – addressing the scope of wastewater
challenges.
• Vincent Furtado, Public Works Superintendent, Fairhaven – addressing
municipal wastewater treatment facilities and what CSO’s are.
• Dale Leavitt, Bluestream Aquaculture – providing a scientific lens on
aquaculture impacts.
• Seth Garfield, Massachusetts Aquaculture Association – highlighting shellfish
industry losses.
• Representatives from the Offices of Senator Montigny, Rep. Markey, and Rep.
Sylvia – presenting the goals of Bill H1000/S638.
• Moderated by – Liz Wiley, Executive Director of the Marion Institute.
“This summit is about protecting our waters, our shellfish industry, and our food
security,” said Liz Wiley, Executive Director of the Marion Institute. “The Southcoast
has an opportunity to lead on wastewater reform that strengthens both our
environment and our economy.”
Event Details
Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
Time: 2:00–3:30 PM
Location: UMass Dartmouth’s School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST – East
Building)
Parking Directions & Info
Hosted in partnership with the New Bedford Ocean Cluster (NBOC), Massachusetts
Aquaculture Association (MAA), and Southeastern MA Agricultural Partnership
(SEMAP), the summit invites community members, policymakers, and industry
stakeholders to join this critical conversation.
🔗 Register here: https://www.marioninstitute.org/2025-food-summit/
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