Constitution State News

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture's Bureau of Aquaculture has launched a new management strategy aimed at improving the handling of shellfish harvest closures due to weather-related events. Rainfall is a frequent cause for such closures, and the new approach was implemented in 2024 across some major shellfish growing areas, resulting in eight additional workdays with potential for future expansion.

"Connecticut shellfishing generates more than $16 million in farm-gate sales providing 300 jobs for the 61,000 acres that are under cultivation. I commend our Bureau of Aquaculture staff for seeking innovative ways to support the industry while keeping public health at the forefront," said Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. "The preliminary results of this new management strategy are encouraging and have the potential to positively impact Connecticut aquaculture on a larger scale in the future."

The Bureau operates under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP), which allows certified dealers to ship interstate. The agency classifies shellfish growing areas based on sanitary survey findings that evaluate pollution sources and water quality data. Approved or Conditionally Approved areas can send shellfish directly to market when open.

For over two decades, Conditionally Approved areas were closed for at least seven days following rainfall exceeding certain triggers based on extensive water quality data. However, after analyzing historical and current data, CT DoAg found evidence supporting shorter five-day closures in many areas.

Previously reopening occurred on the eighth day; now it can happen on the sixth day, adding two critical workdays around major holidays or during years like 2023 when storms limited harvests between closures. CT DoAg ensures safety by requiring reopening samples after each closure event.

In 2024, this approach was applied in key commercial harvest locations including Greenwich, Darien, Norwalk, Westport, Fairfield, Stratford, Milford, West Haven, New Haven, and East Haven. Due to laboratory workload and known pollution sources affecting some areas beyond five days, statewide implementation isn't possible yet but could expand as more data becomes available.

For further details about aquaculture programs and services or Connecticut's shellfish industry visit www.CTGrown.gov.

For media inquiries: Rebecca Eddy at Rebecca.Eddy@ct.gov or call 860-573-0323.