DOCUMENTS, LINKS, ETC.
Most of this information has been taken from the Suffolk County Shellfish Aquaculture Program and from the Town of East Hampton, online and in documents.
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DOCUMENTS
- Town of East Hampton Trustees: Letter to SCALP as part of the 10-Year Review
- Town of East Hampton Local Waterfront Revitalization Plan (LWRP)
- Floating Oyster Cage System, showing installation diagrams
- Suffolk County Shellfish Aquaculture Program
for Press & Video, click here
Oyster plot footprint, above and below the surface
We appreciate the convenience offered by the new floating systems, produced by a Canadian firm within the last few years.
However, even the system manufacturers caution against placing these facilities within waters that are used by recreational and commerical boaters.
Potential Safety Hazard
Floating Oyster cage systems have benefits as well as risks. One big risk is that cages can break free of their mooring, resulting in runaway cages. This picture depicts one of six such runaways during 2018 from one lease area.
With 859 potential lease areas in the two bays, and the suggested density is 100 cages per acre, and each lease is for 10 years, the potential for mid-water and onshore collisions is huge.
Furthermore, the oysters inside will mostly likely die, resulting in a high percentage of losses, as well as increased risk of liability.
Next Steps...
Please join us in seeking responsible and harmonious aquaculture development in Gardiner's Bay.