Connecticut aquaculture farmers offering direct sales of fresh shellfish and other seafood to consumers can now be found easily on the newly created aquaculture sales website: http://aquaculture.uconn.edu/seafood-sales.
The website gives growers of oysters, clams, finfish and kelp a means of connecting with customers while restaurants are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Previously, the majority of fresh aquaculture products were sold to restaurants.
The website also includes a link to a state Department of Agriculture website of open farmers markets and farm stands, and a map of their locations that is maintained by the Northeast Organic Farming Association.
The site was created as part of the response to severe economic impacts of the pandemic on the aquaculture industry by Connecticut Sea Grant, UConn Extension and the state Department of Agriculture.