Connecticut Agencies Are Restoring Shellfish Grounds

In partnership with: Connecticut Department of Agriculture

State agencies and organizations are coming together like a string of pearls to restore oyster populations along the Connecticut coastline. Sea Grant encourages marine stewardship through research, education, outreach and technology. The Connecticut agency and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Aquaculture led an effort that brought together various groups for comprehensive shellfish restoration planning. 

“No agency could single-handedly take on this effort,” says Tessa Getchis, University of Connecticut Sea Grant senior extension educator. “This is a stakeholder-based project that requires partnerships to make it successful.” 

A restoration plan with recommended actions and a new interactive online shellfish restoration map resulted. Inspired by the state’s existing shellfish aquaculture atlas, it provides multiple layers of data providing wide benefits for planning.

Strung Together

“These are educational tools that show us where shell is needed for building oyster beds and where the best possibility for growing oysters exists,” says Michael Gilman, co-owner of Indian River Shellfish and aquaculture extension assistant. “It helps industry, shellfish commissions, town councils, farmers, restaurants, and others better organize restoration and aquaculture efforts.”

See more: Sea Grant and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture Work to Support the Shellfish Industry

Whether farmers culture crops in cages or on waterway bottoms, their routines require organization – but new farmers may find it difficult. That’s why Jonathan Waters volunteers and mentors for the state’s Branford Aquaculture Initiative, which provides 5 acre parcels for experimental oyster propagation.  

“Volunteers and farmers have been critical to the restoration process,” Getchis says.

Recently, Waters helped the organization move over 800 bushels of shell from nearby Hammonasset State Park. It was no easy task. 

“We moved dumpster-size loads of state-approved dried shell down from there through license agreements with the state, put them on boats and transplanted them to the natural oyster beds,” Waters says.

Restoring the Beds

Oystering along Long Island Sound coast has been a major industry for over 200 years, but in recent decades, erosion, weather, disease and other processes have reduced natural substrates, impacting new oyster bed growth.

“Oysters spawn in early July, and if the larvae have nowhere to go, they die,” Gilman says. “It’s important to have other oysters, rocks or shells for them to attach.” 

Bed protection and restoration are imperative to ensure the future of Connecticut shellfish. 

“Our beds are at a net loss for shells right now,” Getchis says. “Most of the shells that are harvested aren’t returned, and without shell, we can’t build or restore the reef.”

That situation causes multifaceted economic and ecological impacts. 

“We don’t want to lose our livelihood, but it goes beyond economics,” Waters says. “Oysters help clean and filter water, removing excess nitrogen. They control shoreline erosion, and their beds provide habitat for other marine life. Oyster restoration has so many benefits because it enhances the environment and can help combat climate change.”

Restoring Shellfish Grounds

To continue improvement, researchers are refining the interactive shellfish restoration map including new oyster recruitment, called settlement, and disease data.

“Our state legislature recently passed a public act promoting shellfish restoration and recycling,” Getchis says. “That’s a major milestone to continue this work because it shows the state wants to invest in the restoration of our oyster beds.” 

It also created a new position for a state shell recycling coordinator.

See more: Shellfish Connoisseurs Are Drawn to Cedar Key Clams and Oysters

Success is dependent on passionate people with diverse expertise working toward a common goal, which is happening for Connecticut shellfish.

“We’re not just saving oyster beds,” Waters says. “We’re saving a Connecticut tradition.”