A video created by the University of Connecticut showcases the kayak eco-tour of Mystic River shellfish farms developed by Tessa Getchis, senior extension educator for UConn Extension and Connecticut Sea Grant, in partnership with local oyster farmer Steve Plant and a local kayak rental company.
Shellfish
Journal article highlights the CT Aquaculture Mapping Atlas
The latest issue of the Journal of Shellfish Research highlights the Connecticut Aquaculture Mapping Atlas in an article titled, “Shellfish Aquaculture Map Viewers: An Assessment of Design, Data and Functions to Inform Planning and Siting in the United States.”
Norwalk harbor is setting for final on-the-water workshop
Connecticut Sea Grant hosted the final in a series of four on-the-water workshops celebrating its 30th anniversary on July 26 on Norwalk Harbor. Seven speakers and 24 passengers toured the busy harbor aboard Spirit of the Sound, the Maritime Aquarium of Norwalk’s hybrid electric vessel.
Shellfish Initiative gets fresh look from commissioner, farmers
State Department of Agriculture Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt met on July 15 with representatives of seven commercial shellfishing businesses, along with state Bureau of Aquaculture and Connecticut Sea Grant staff, to brainstorm revisions and updates to the 2016 Vision Plan created under the Connecticut Shellfish Initiative.
Eastern Sound is classroom for third on-the-water workshop
Connecticut Sea Grant hosted its third on-the-water workshop aboard Enviro-Lab III, Project Oceanology’s vessel, leaving from the docks at the UConn Avery Point campus on June 14.
Sea Grant marks 30th year with workshop in Thimble Islands
Connecticut Sea Grant continued the yearlong celebration of its 30th anniversary with an on-the-water workshop aboard the Volsunga IV in the Thimble Islands of Branford on June 7.
NOAA’s Milford lab provides key ingredient for shellfish farms
“The Milford lab,” as it is known in the shellfish industry, is a main supplier of algae to shellfish farmers along the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf coasts – and even worldwide. NOAA’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center has supplied algae free of charge to shellfish farms for more than five decades, drawing from collection of 230 strains, among them those that are most important for young oysters and clams.
Public hears of LIS Blue Plan impacts on new, current users
Commercial clammer Rosemary Louden asked how the Long Island Sound Blue Plan would impact the business that’s been in her husband Jay’s family for the past 100 years. At the May 14 public meeting on the plan, she learned that the historic Louden commercial shellfish beds in Greenwich are considered “significant human use areas” that would gain protection from any proposals that would impact them.
Public radio podcast features CT Sea Grant’s Concepcion
Anoushka Concepcion, aquaculture extension specialist with Connecticut Sea Grant, is interviewed about kelp farming by WHYY public radio station Reporter Alan Yu for an episode of the podcast, “The Ocean and Us.”
Citizen scientists key to active recreational shellfish beds
The efforts of Don Murphy, Richard Conant and other citizen scientists — also called community scientists — on municipal shellfish commissions are being highlighted by Connecticut Sea Grant as part of a NOAA Sea Grant initiative.