• Home
  • A River at Risk
  • In the News
  • Donate
  • About Us
RESCUE OUR RIVER
  • Home
  • A River at Risk
  • In the News
  • Donate
  • About Us

THE NIANTIC RIVER ESTUARY

A River at Risk

​
Industrial shellfish farming in the Niantic River estuary will 

  • Undermine the protection and enjoyment of natural resources
  • Put paddlers (canoes, kayaks and other small watercraft) at risk
  • Threaten the economic well being of communities on both sides of the river
  • Prioritize business profits over public access to our river (and with NO financial benefit to our towns)​ ​​
Industrial shellfish farming (also known as "Type II aquaculture") is the cultivation of oysters in containers that are held above the seafloor and suspended in the water column. This type of "off-bottom" shellfish farming uses extensive gear (including cages, rack-and-bags, trays, and floating and suspended systems that use PVC piping and long lines) that rise above the water line.
      Photos of the various types of equipment can be found here.
      An actual river aquaculture operation can be seen here.

​This kind of industrial farming equipment is new to our region and will have an irreversible, adverse impact on our river, the estuary, property and business values, and the safety of our residents and tourists who visit the region to enjoy the river. While industrial shellfish farming gear may make sense in open waters, it simply isn’t appropriate for a small river that is enjoyed primarily for recreation and in an area that is predominately residential.

No decision should be made about industrial shellfish operations in the river without consideration for the impact on the businesses, residents, the river or our region.    
 
The high visibility and associated markers that go along with the kind of shellfish farming that have been proposed creates unsightly navigational hazards, imposes recreational limitations, and detracts from the natural beauty and accessibility of the river.
 
In fact, off-bottom oyster-farming equipment is incredibly intrusive. The gear on some industrial shellfishing developments can protrude above the water line, restricting access, creating hazards and preventing recreational activities. For these very reasons, Waterford, Stonington and Branford have, so far, not acceptedthis kind of industrial shellfish operation in their residential communities.
 
Under one proposal, equipment for a shellfish farm in the Niantic River near Cini Park and Route 156 would include more than 12,000 pieces of gear: 
  • 16 long-lines, each 250 feet long, with 1,600 baskets and more than 400 five-foot-tall PVC pipes attached
  • 3,200 floating bags with 20 lines, 250 feet long requiring 6,400 floats
  • 400 double stacked trays in 8 columns of 50 trays each
 
Industrial shellfishing will negatively impact the river and provide little to no environmental benefit. Nor would it benefit towns on either side of the river.  Any for-profit, commercial proposal like this must be weighed against the safety concerns and recreational needs of the community, not to mention the economic impacts on business and property values, etc.    

Simply put: Other locations, outside of the Niantic River, make more sense for this development.
 
We need your help. 
The process undertaken by the Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission – according to the Army Corps of Engineers – identified, then eliminated, six commercial shellfishing lease sites within the river due to a variety of factors including
Boating
 Navigation hazards
Recreational shell fishing
Recreational sports
Recreational fishing
Submerged aquatic vegetation

Yet, proposals for commercial shellfishing operations using equipment that will rise above the water line are still being considered.

We must say NO!


Don't risk our river.

Take Action Now
The owner of a 62-acre shellfishing operation in the nearby Niantic Bay who is also seeking permission to expand his aquaculture business into the Niantic River, readily admits that  expansion plans “may impact boaters’ movement around the river.”  
​

Don't risk our river.

Take Action Now
Home
About
Take Action

Email us​

SIGN UP FOR  NEWS AND UPDATES
SAY NO TO INDUSTRIAL SHELLFISH FARMING IN THE NIANTIC RIVER.
Industrial shellfish operations that use suspended or floating ropes, trays and bags to cultivate shellfish will mar the Niantic River, causing irreparable harm to the estuary and the communities of East Lyme and Waterford. If allowed, this type of industrial shellfishing will undermine the protection and enjoyment of natural resources, put paddlers (canoes, kayaks and other small watercraft) at risk, threaten the economic well being of communities on both sides of the river, and prioritize business profits over public access to a natural treasure (and with NO impact to the economic well-being of our towns.)  
​LEARN MORE. GET INVOLVED TODAY.
© Copyright 2021 Rescue Our River™.  All Rights Reserved.

​Photo credits: 
pirates life for me / Stockimo / Alamy Stock Photo
Archive PL / Alamy Stock Photo

​
  • Home
  • A River at Risk
  • In the News
  • Donate
  • About Us