The old Massachusetts State Lobster Hatchery found new life last Friday, with the formal announcement that the Oak Bluffs facility will be used for raising shellfish for the Vineyard once again.

State and local dignitaries came together to officiate an agreement to share the facility, which had not operated for many years. There were speeches and a public tour of the hatchery, which will be used by the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group to augment its other hatchery, on the Tisbury side of Lagoon Pond, and the shellfish nursery on Chappaquiddick.

The shellfish group will have access to the first floor of the facility from April through October, under an agreement signed by Paul Diodati, director Division of Marine Fisheries, and Rick Karney, director of the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group.

The Department of Fish and Game commissioner Mary Griffin and other state officials witnessed the signing at the hatchery under a torrid early afternoon sun.

“I am delighted to be here, to celebrate and announce this great partnership with the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group,” said Ms. Griffin. Noting that the hatchery has a wonderful history and is well loved, she welcomed its revival and acknowledged the many people past and present who were involved in its revival.

State Rep. Timothy Madden reported on work done in the past year, crediting Vineyard town officials for their interest. He said it began with a meeting at the hatchery a year ago. Mr. Madden praised the efforts of Mr. Diodati: “Paul came out a year ago. He met with the people and he really became engaged.... There was a large turnout for that meeting. Paul stepped up to the plate and made it happen.”

Mr. Madden said it was clear the state and the Island towns have a shared interest in sustainable fisheries.

John Hughes, 90, of Tisbury, who started the hatchery in 1949 and ran it through 1978, was honored. Mr. Madden read aloud a citation from the state House of Representatives, recognizing Mr. Hughes for his years of service in raising of lobsters and his dedication to marine biology. “Everything you did is remembered and still appreciated,” said Mr. Madden.

Mr. Diodati also took a moment to praise the former lobster cultivator and offer him a piece of art work. The two also acknowledged the work of Mike Syslo, who ran the lobster hatchery after Mr. Hughes retired.

Selectmen and other town officials from Tisbury and Oak Bluffs attended the feel-good ceremony, along with those representing the county. Chairman of the Oak Bluffs board of selectmen Kathy Burton also noted the genesis of the hatchery’s revival: “[It] was motivated by efforts to improve the water quality in the Lagoon, by increasing aquaculture through the use of the facility. I am personally thrilled to be here today, a year later,” she said. In government, she said, “I think that is record time.”

For more than 30 years the Martha’s Vineyard Shellfish Group has raised shellfish for participating Island towns, using their solar energy-assisted shellfish hatchery. The group is credited for helping the Island community continue to have a vibrant commercial and recreational shellfish fishery and they do it by assuring that there is a brood stock of shellfish in the ponds.

Mr. Karney said, “I am really honored that the DMF would consider the lowly shellfish group, a little operation up the pond, that could take control of part of this historic and wonderful building... I hope that we can maintain it. It may not be lobsters but it will be shellfish.”

After the gathering, Mr. Karney said there is still work to be done on the building before the group can begin using the facility. The state has committed to spend $250,000 to upgrade the saltwater pumps and plumbing to get it functional again; it will take much of the year to complete.

Mr. Karney said he plans on using the facility next spring. Last Saturday, Mr. Karney spoke at a meeting of the Lagoon Pond Association and outlined his hopes and goals for the lobster hatchery. His plans were warmly received. He said that his ability to use the facility will depend on having an adequate staff, and that will include volunteers. Mr. Karney said that at the conclusion of his talk, he heard from a number of people at the meeting who offered to help.