Joseph Sarnelli and Deborah Swetz may not look like pioneers, with their hair nets and plastic gloves, but nonetheless they are part of an effort to bring a new agricultural crop to Connecticut. Their participation is one of the novel aspects of the project that brought Marrakech Inc., a non-profit that works with adults and youth with a range of disabilities and special needs, together with Connecticut Sea Grant.
Long Island Sound
Sound summer: sunsets, smiles, beaks, boats & fishermen
Whether you’re looking for beach scenes, sunsets, wildlife or the many ways people recreate on the water, Long Island Sound offers a wealth of material for photographs. This summer, make sure to take your camera when you head to the shore and look for photos to help Connecticut Sea Grant celebrate a significant milestone.
Whale, object sculptures to be created by Sea Grant artist awardees
Two sculptural installations, one of illuminated right whales and another of found objects enhanced with printed photographic images, will be created by two artists selected to receive funding support under the 2018 Connecticut Sea Grant Arts Support Awards Program.
After 1st harvest from Groton site, kelp farmer looks to build market
As the first of the summer vegetables ripen for picking at local fields, a unique new crop had its maiden harvest from an underwater farm in Groton. It won’t be showing up at farm stands and farmers’ markets just yet, though. These long, curvy-edged, greenish-brown ribbons gathered by the boatload are, for now, awaiting consumer pioneers to fuel demand for locally grown edible seaweed, specifically kelp native to Long Island Sound.
Connecticut Shellfish Initiative earns regional recognition
The Connecticut Shellfish Initiative, a multi-year effort launched in 2014 to promote the growth of shellfish beds and shellfishing by identifying and removing barriers to commercial and recreational harvesters and raising public awareness, has received the Northeast Sea Grant Consortium Superior Outreach Programming Group Award.
Sen. Murphy introduces bill to spur living shoreline projects
Federal funding for projects that protect shorelines using natural materials and environmentally friendly designs could soon be available to coastal communities through legislation introduced June 19 by Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy and California Sen. Kamala Harris.
More than 150 people take part in Thames River Quest
The Thames River Quest, three treasure hunt-style hikes sponsored by Connecticut Sea Grant, the Thames River Heritage Park and The Day, drew 151 participants from towns throughout southeastern Connecticut and beyond on June 2.
Sea to table: fish, shellfish & sea vegetables from local waters
The Spring-Summer 2018 issue of Wrack Lines focuses on local seafood, from newly abundant species to old favorites. Read how restaurants and markets are offering local seafood, availability of fish, shellfish and kelp, the experiences of a first-time clammer and some great recipes by Connecticut chefs.
Long Island Sound resource inventory moves toward completion
Despite 300 pages of data, maps and listings of the ecological resources and human uses of Long Island Sound, the inventory created as the foundation for the first-ever marine spatial plan for the estuary isn’t yet complete. At least that’s the view of two of the speakers at the public hearing May 8 on the draft version of the Long Island Sound Blue Plan Resource and Use Inventory.
30th Anniversary Photo Contest
CT Sea Grant will be celebrating its 30th anniversary year starting in August. From Aug. 20 through Sept. 30, we will accept entries for a photo contest of Connecticut waterways, from the rivers and streams that flow into Long Island Sound to the estuary itself. Send us photos picturing how you play, work and enjoy the natural beauty of our shores, or of the wildlife that inhabit these special places…