Regional Shellfish Hatchery Will Expand New York’s Blue Economy and Foster Sustainable Development and Resiliency on Long Island
Upgraded Facility To Increase Oyster and Clam Production To Meet Growing Regional Market Demand
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $10 million for the Town of Islip Regional Shellfish Hatchery. The establishment of the Regional Shellfish Hatchery will expand New York’s blue economy and address pressing environmental, economic and cultural challenges while fostering sustainable development and resiliency in the region.
“We are preserving Long Island’s rich maritime history while it faces various threats, from historic overfishing to climate change,” Governor Hochul said. “These key investments will support the shellfish industry on Long Island, an important aspect to the region’s economy and water quality.”
Regional Shellfish Hatchery Will Expand New York’s Blue Economy and Foster Sustainable Development and Resiliency on Long Island
Upgraded Facility To Increase Oyster and Clam Production To Meet Growing Regional Market Demand
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced $10 million for the Town of Islip Regional Shellfish Hatchery. The establishment of the Regional Shellfish Hatchery will expand New York’s blue economy and address pressing environmental, economic and cultural challenges while fostering sustainable development and resiliency in the region.
“We are preserving Long Island’s rich maritime history while it faces various threats, from historic overfishing to climate change,” Governor Hochul said. “These key investments will support the shellfish industry on Long Island, an important aspect to the region’s economy and water quality.”
Coastal flooding and the impacts of climate change have hampered efforts to keep pace with the growing regional market demand. Oysters have an important environmental role and biofiltration by shellfish may help to mitigate and reduce harmful algal blooms and nutrients, which improves water quality. A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day under optimal environmental conditions. Oyster production in Islip’s waters from the town’s bay bottom access program has risen from 0 percent to 23 percent of the cultured oysters harvested in New York State over the last 15 years.
The Town of Islip’s Bay Management Program & Shellfish Hatchery also plays a vital role in educating the public, researching innovations in aquaculture, and meeting the needs of the marine community of Long Island and ensures the continuation of the maritime tradition of shellfish farming on the Great South Bay and other marine waters on Long Island.
Today’s announcement builds on Governor Hochul’s 2024 State of the State which launched New York’s Blue Food Transformation initiative to bolster marine agriculture, promote a healthy natural environment, and provide New Yorkers with a nutritious source of locally grown seafood. As part of this initiative and building on the bill signed last year to expand cuisine trails, the FY25 budget includes $75,000 for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County to develop New York’s first ever seafood trail on Long Island, emphasizing the culinary art of these delicious agricultural products and increasing consumer demand.
As part of New York’s Blue Food Transformation, the FY25 budget also includes $5 million in capital funding for farmers to invest in marine dock space, processing equipment and other vital infrastructure for the growth of their businesses. This grant program will be administered by the Peconic Land Trust.