© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Connecticut's Largest Natural Oyster Bed Shut Down Following Boat Chase

(Fisheries and Oceans Canada/World Register of Marine Species
Eastern oysters, pictured above, were being harvested illegally. The eastern oyster in Connecticut's official state shellfish.

The state's largest natural oyster bed has been shut down. That's due to several illegal harvests which culminated last week in a boat chase.

Oysters are filter feeders, which means they need to maintain a steady flow of water through their gills to survive.

"Oysters are bio-accumulators, so they feed on what's in the water," said David Carey, with the state Department of Agriculture. "But while they're feeding on what's in the water they also accumulate any contaminants that are in the water."

Carey said that's the case for many oysters at the base of the Housatonic River, where water quality isn't the cleanest thanks to three nearby sewage treatment plants. But, he said oysters are resilient. Put them in cleaner water and their filtration essentially works in reverse: cleansing the oysters.

Because of that, the state requires fishermen harvesting oysters from the base of the Housatonic River to only take smaller ones -- which are not big enough to sell commercially -- and transfer them to cleaner waters in Long Island Sound.

"That's why we're moving them and transporting them out to cleaner waters, so we reduce or eliminate those hazards," Carey said.

There, the oysters spend at least six months cleaning themselves up -- and growing to a size that makes them legal to sell. But in recent weeks, Carey said several harvesters broke that rule -- transporting potentially contaminated oysters that were already big enough to sell.

"They had market-sized oysters on their vessel and they had left the river to go plant those oysters on their beds -- that's not allowed.," Carey said.

Things got dramatic on Friday , when two vessels sped away from environmental police -- cutting evasive maneuvers in the water -- while dumping oysters overboard.

Of the eight harvesting companies working the the area -- Carey said only one has been consistently following the rules. He said the main motivation for breaking the law is money.

State officials will keep the Housatonic bed closed during the summer, and hope to have more aggressive oyster supervision programs in place this in the fall.

Patrick Skahill is a reporter and digital editor at Connecticut Public. Prior to becoming a reporter, he was the founding producer of Connecticut Public Radio's The Colin McEnroe Show, which began in 2009. Patrick's reporting has appeared on NPR's Morning Edition, Here & Now, and All Things Considered. He has also reported for the Marketplace Morning Report. He can be reached at pskahill@ctpublic.org.

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content