Sea Farm Internships 2026

MermaidMenu, LLC, a 5-acre family sea farm in Provincetown, MA, is excited to share an opportunity offering four individual one-week internships for the spring, summer, and fall of 2026.

  • About the Internship

    • Compensation: $500.00 stipend, plus a private room, board, and parking in Provincetown.
    • Tracks: Two one-week internships for policy/science-based inquiries and two for art/culture explorations.
    • Schedule: Sunday to Sunday. Work follows low-tide cycles; hours may be irregular but will total 40 for the week.
    • Environment: You will work on the water and land with full exposure to the elements. The residence is an old fisherman’s house with dogs, chickens, bees, and a cat.

  • Requirements

    • Ability to walk long distances on flats, lift 50 lbs, and work independently.
    • Strong interpersonal skills and flexibility regarding tide-dependent schedules.
    • Ability to operate a boat/vehicle is helpful.
    • Basic field gear (waders/gloves) provided, or bring your own.

About Our Sea Farm

MermaidMenu is a woman-owned farm carrying on the heritage of Portuguese fishing on the historic Provincetown flats. We manage 5 acres of nursery seed production and oyster farming. In 2026, we are launching an experiment station featuring lavers, salicornia, and sea urchins. We prioritize resilient food routes, biodiversity, and minimal fossil fuel use.

Intern Job Descriptions

Focus: Applied Aquaculture & Environmental Stewardship

The Science & Policy intern will assist in the data collection and operational maintenance of our experimental and production plots. You will be "boots on the ground"  helping us bridge the gap between sustainable farming and coastal policy.

  • Experiment Station Support: Assist in monitoring the growth rates and health of our 2026 crops: lavers, salicornia, and sea urchins.
  • Data Collection: Record water temperatures, salinity, and mortality rates within the nursery seed production and oyster bags.
  • Sustainability Audit: Help monitor the efficacy of our 2025 experiments (mushroom buoys and bird deterrents) to see how they are holding up a year later.
  • Policy Inquiry: Research and discuss local maritime regulations or food route resilience, helping us document how small-scale farms can navigate "hyperlocal" distribution.

Farm Labor: Participate in the physical sorting, cleaning, and hauling required for a 5-acre oyster operation.

Focus: Maritime Heritage & Creative Documentation

The Art & Culture intern will explore the intersection of Provincetown’s historic fishing identity and the modern reality of sea farming. This track is for storytellers, historians, and creators who want to archive the "human" side of aquaculture.

  • Heritage Documentation: Research and document the Portuguese fishing and farming traditions specific to the Provincetown flats.
  • Visual Storytelling: Capture the daily life of the farm through photography, sketching, or digital media to help communicate our mission to the public.
  • Cultural Mapping: Explore how a woman-owned farm in 2026 contributes to the "resilient food routes" and the aesthetic character of the Provincetown waterfront.
  • Community Interaction: Engage with locals and visitors to discuss the importance of biodiversity and sustainable seafood.

Creative Output: By the end of the week, the intern will produce a small "capstone" piece (e.g., a photo essay, a short piece of writing, or a series of sketches) reflecting their time on the flats.

To Apply

 Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all weeks are full or June 1, 2026. Please email mermaidmenu@gmail.com with:

  • A cover letter

    Specify your preferred track/month.

  • A current resume

  • Your examples

    Links to examples of your art, culture, policy, or science endeavors.