Honoring the economic and cultural value of Rhode Island's shellfish
From Rhode Island: It’s All In Our Backyard, a profile of the Matunuck Oyster Farm. Be sure to check out the video–it’s from our September 13th tour of the farm!
Read the article: A stockholder in Rhode Island’s waters: Perry Raso, Matunuck Oysters | Rhode Island: It’s All in Our Backyard.
Rhode Island Sea Grant’s October ‘Coastal and Ocean News’ includes three articles about shellfish research, aquaculture, and shellfish management in Rhode Island.
Quahog Behavior Findings to Help Management
Clusters of quahogs found in closed waters have often been assumed to be spawning sanctuaries where quahogs settle and reproduce, expanding their population. Researchers, however, are finding that crowded spaces are actually lowering reproductive rates, suggesting that quahog larvae are originating from fished areas. –Read More–
Oyster Farm Model for Aquaculture
Perry Raso’s seven-acre oyster farm supports one of the most proclaimed restaurants in the state and put aquaculture on the map as a real business model.
The Matunuck Oyster Bar not only grows its own oysters, little necks, and seaweed for consumers, but also acts as a shellfish nursery that supplies see to businesses throughout the U.S. including Boston and New York. –Read More–
Fellow Challenges Shellfish Regulations in Closed Waters
Melissa Chalek, Rhode Island Sea Grant Marine Affairs Policy Fellow, was the only student to present at the Sea Grant Law and Policy Journal 2013 Symposium earlier this September in Mississippi.
Chalek presented her research investigating shellfish relay science and regulations that concern transferring shellfish grown in closed waters to approved waters in order to purge themselves of contaminants to levels safe for consumption. –Read More–
Click here to view Rhode Island Sea Grant’s Coastal and Ocean News.
The following resource has been posted to the Resources page:
The Great Oyster Crash: Ocean acidification hits the Pacific shellfish industry by Eric Scigliano, OnEarth, August 2011. In this 2011 article, Scigliano investigates Vibrio, ocean acidification and other threats to shellfishing in the Pacific region. Particularly illuminating are Alan Barton’s comments on ocean acidification at the end of the piece. For more information, check out this Q and A with NRDC senior scientist Lisa Suatoni on acidic oceans.
From “The Great Oyster Crash” (http://www.onearth.org/article/oyster-crash-ocean-acidification) Americans eat 700 million oysters every year, but ocean acidification could make them harder to raise, driving up prices for shellfish lovers. Visuals Unlimited/Inga Spence
A workshop sponsored by Rhode Island Sea Grant, Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center, Roger Williams University and the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory.
When: Friday May 17th 2013 12:30 – 5:00 pm
Where: Hazard Room, Coastal Institute Bldg, University of Rhode Island Bay Campus
Directions
This workshop is intended for those with practical experience working on the water and who are interested in mussel farming. Opportunities for mussel farming expansion are in offshore waters where there are fewer potential conflicts and some logistical challenges. Speakers and attendees at this workshop will share their experience with at least 4 different offshore sites in New England over the last 12 or so years. We are fortunate to have a veteran of the mussel farming industry in New Zealand give a presentation with insights into developing an industry here.
View or download the workshop agenda.
Please note: this event has not been organized by the SMP Team. To register for the workshop or for more information email or call Scott Lindell (Director, Scientific Aquaculture Program, Marine Biological Laboratory) – slindell@mbl.edu or 508-289-7097.
NOAA Fisheries works to develop an acceptable offshore permitting process for mussel farming in Southern New England. Read more: Aquaculture Inroads to the Wild Caught Fisheries; Mussel Farming Tested in NOAA Funded Projects | US Fish Law.