HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | AUGUST 5, 2024 23
OPINION & COMMENTARY
OTHER VOICES
Gov. Lamont: A new ambition for CT on National Oyster Day
By Ned Lamont
Y
es, Aug. 5 is National
Oyster Day!
While the oyster industry
has been a vital part of Connecticut's
storied maritime history — complete
with Norwalk's 19th-century identity
as the Oyster Capital of the World
— our path forward is
even more exciting. A
modern oyster boom
along the shorelines
from Stamford to Ston-
ington is both good for
our growing economy
and great for our environment.
This new ambition began with a
series of regulatory changes made
in the late 2010s aimed at rejuve-
nating the industry. Our once-thriving
industry was hit hard by oyster
disease outbreaks in the late 90s.
Bushels harvested and sales hit a
near 35-year low.
Of the many changes, one of the
most transformative was streamlining
the permitting process, creating oppor-
tunities for new farmers alongside
expansion of our existing harvesters.
Imagine an aspiring oyster farmer,
someone passionate about getting
their hands dirty to grow the best
oyster possible, being bogged down by
a labyrinth of red tape. It's a nightmare.
Now, with simplified procedures
and stringent product handling laws,
new and existing farmers with a
dollar and a dream can set up their
operations with ease and quickly sell
quality products wholesale or direct
to consumers.
These new opportunities combined
with rigorous product handling
guidelines have resulted in continued
recovery and sales growth, with
reported 2023 sales of 275,000 bags
of oysters valued at $14.6 million.
This growth is a testament to the
resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of
our farmers, bolstered by supportive
state policies.
Connecticut is boosting and
enhancing its oyster industry with
educational and financial initiatives. A
partnership between the state Depart-
ment of Agriculture and UConn Sea
Grant has resulted in successful joint
initiatives such as the Connecticut
Restoration Guide, which offers a
roadmap for rehabilitation and resto-
ration of Connecticut's shellfish popu-
lations; and a new comprehensive
course for aspiring shellfish farmers.
Additionally, the state has teamed
up with private lenders to provide
Connecticut Small Business Boost
loans at a favorable 4.5% fixed rate for
many oyster farmers. These efforts
are positioning Connecticut as a
continuing leader in the oyster market.
With strong marketing efforts that
cut through the noise, not to mention
a little luck, Connecticut's reputation
as a culinary destination will continue
to spread far and wide. Visitors will
flock here to enjoy our oysters like
they do lobsters in Maine.
Picture the bustling activity on our
shores, new jobs being created, and
an ever-growing supply of shellfish
drawing residents and visitors alike
to experience the "Napa Valley
of Oysters."
Oysters are not only a sustainable
food source, but they are also a
keystone species that provide addi-
tional habitat for other marine life.
Each oyster can filter up to 45 gallons
of water per day, helping to remove
nutrients from the water column and
prevent algal blooms like red tides.
Healthier waters mean a more
resilient and vibrant ecosystem,
enhancing the natural beauty that
defines Connecticut, a testament to
our commitment to preserving our
state's natural beauty.
As a coastal state, we're looking
at every way possible to mitigate
the impacts of climate change.
Coastal flooding and shoreline
erosion are concerns, but shellfish
beds can provide a natural barrier
preventing both.
That's why shell recycling
programs, like Collective Oyster Recy-
cling & Restoration, are important
to the state. By collecting used
shells from restaurants and shellfish
festivals, and curing them for six
months before putting them back into
the Sound, we're able to encourage
the growth of oyster habitats that
sequester carbon, lessen coastal
erosion and slow flooding — all while
reducing food waste.
Not bad, right?
By supporting Connecticut's oyster
industry, we're not just honoring our
history, we're championing a future
that balances economic prosperity
with environmental stewardship. Our
shores are on the cusp of a renais-
sance, one where the resilient spirit of
our farmers leads to thriving commu-
nities and healthy waters.
So, let's roll up our sleeves, dive into
this opportunity, and build a legacy
that future generations will celebrate.
Join us in making the "Napa Valley
of Oysters" a reality, and securing
a vibrant, sustainable future for our
state and our planet.
Ned Lamont is the governor of the
state of Connecticut.
Ned Lamont
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