Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission Votes for Partnership to Grow Niantic Oyster Population
New Public-Private Partnership Aims to Seed Oysters for Recreational Shell Fishing
EAST LYME and WATERFORD, Conn., November 22, 2019 – Following a recent vote by the Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission (WELSCO), Oyster seed will be placed in the Niantic River this weekend.
The unanimous vote moves forward a public-private partnership that will introduce additional oysters to the river for recreational shell fishing. This “seeding” process will expand the oyster population with the goal of creating a self -sustaining population that will spawn further, and over time create additional recreational shellfishing opportunities in the Niantic River. Under the project, no surface area will be removed from recreational activity and no equipment will be placed in the river.
“This community has come together to develop a project that will benefit the river and hopefully create increased opportunities for recreational shellfishing in the future,” said Peter Harris, WELSCO chairman, adding, “By partnering with local residents on this seeding plan, we hope to further enhance and sustain recreational shellfishing in the river.”
The base project costs are approximately $10,000. Local residents are invited to contribute in support of the partnership and river seeding at this GoFundMe page.
“This project is a shared win for both communities and for the Niantic River, which will be improved and protected, said Paul Daversa, a Waterford resident who was actively engaged in the project from its inception. “We’ve come a long way and from the beginning, my goal has been to protect and improve the river. This project does just that,” Daversa concluded.
Once the project was approved by the full commission, WELSCO applied for and received the needed permit from the state. The commission will work with local researchers to study water quality throughout the project. Assuming that seed is placed in the river in November, shellfish may be ready for taking in approximately 2 years.
“This seeding initiative is the type of project we should be doing in the river and I am pleased the community is working together with WELSCO to spearhead the effort. This is a step in the right direction for both communities and everyone who cares about the future of the Niantic River,” said Waterford First Selectman Rob Brule.
Through the project, 100,000 oyster seed will be placed in the Niantic River and divided between two areas. Regular measurements will be taken to monitor growth and development, and water quality testing will also be conducted. The seed placement will take TOMORROW, November 23, by East Lyme resident and shell fish expert Jim Markow, president of the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative from the Waterford Boat Launch.
“We are incredibly lucky to work with Jim Markow,” said Mark Nickerson, East Lyme First Selectman. “Harvesting shellfish such as clams, mussels, scallops and oysters is a Niantic River tradition that dates back centuries. The project will benefit from Jim’s experience and build on this historic tradition for generations to come.”
Lew Bull, a local clammer added, “A lot of work and discussion went into this project to determine the best river location and to make sure that the seeding of oysters would not be disruptive to existing clamming activities. We’ll all benefit from the success of this project.”
Terry Lineberger with the Niantic River Advocacy Coalition applauded the Commission for supporting the project saying, “This is an important step in the right direction.” “This partnership between WELSCO and the community demonstrates what is possible when we do what’s right for the community and most importantly, the Niantic River,” Lineberger concluded.
WELSCO will share information with the public as the project proceeds.
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EAST LYME and WATERFORD, Conn., November 22, 2019 – Following a recent vote by the Waterford-East Lyme Shellfish Commission (WELSCO), Oyster seed will be placed in the Niantic River this weekend.
The unanimous vote moves forward a public-private partnership that will introduce additional oysters to the river for recreational shell fishing. This “seeding” process will expand the oyster population with the goal of creating a self -sustaining population that will spawn further, and over time create additional recreational shellfishing opportunities in the Niantic River. Under the project, no surface area will be removed from recreational activity and no equipment will be placed in the river.
“This community has come together to develop a project that will benefit the river and hopefully create increased opportunities for recreational shellfishing in the future,” said Peter Harris, WELSCO chairman, adding, “By partnering with local residents on this seeding plan, we hope to further enhance and sustain recreational shellfishing in the river.”
The base project costs are approximately $10,000. Local residents are invited to contribute in support of the partnership and river seeding at this GoFundMe page.
“This project is a shared win for both communities and for the Niantic River, which will be improved and protected, said Paul Daversa, a Waterford resident who was actively engaged in the project from its inception. “We’ve come a long way and from the beginning, my goal has been to protect and improve the river. This project does just that,” Daversa concluded.
Once the project was approved by the full commission, WELSCO applied for and received the needed permit from the state. The commission will work with local researchers to study water quality throughout the project. Assuming that seed is placed in the river in November, shellfish may be ready for taking in approximately 2 years.
“This seeding initiative is the type of project we should be doing in the river and I am pleased the community is working together with WELSCO to spearhead the effort. This is a step in the right direction for both communities and everyone who cares about the future of the Niantic River,” said Waterford First Selectman Rob Brule.
Through the project, 100,000 oyster seed will be placed in the Niantic River and divided between two areas. Regular measurements will be taken to monitor growth and development, and water quality testing will also be conducted. The seed placement will take TOMORROW, November 23, by East Lyme resident and shell fish expert Jim Markow, president of the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative from the Waterford Boat Launch.
“We are incredibly lucky to work with Jim Markow,” said Mark Nickerson, East Lyme First Selectman. “Harvesting shellfish such as clams, mussels, scallops and oysters is a Niantic River tradition that dates back centuries. The project will benefit from Jim’s experience and build on this historic tradition for generations to come.”
Lew Bull, a local clammer added, “A lot of work and discussion went into this project to determine the best river location and to make sure that the seeding of oysters would not be disruptive to existing clamming activities. We’ll all benefit from the success of this project.”
Terry Lineberger with the Niantic River Advocacy Coalition applauded the Commission for supporting the project saying, “This is an important step in the right direction.” “This partnership between WELSCO and the community demonstrates what is possible when we do what’s right for the community and most importantly, the Niantic River,” Lineberger concluded.
WELSCO will share information with the public as the project proceeds.
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