Those walking bay beaches on the South Fork may find debris from oyster farms, bulkheads, docks, boats, or moorings that were damaged or destroyed by this winter’s deep freeze, and there’s a concerted effort underway to recover at least some of it.
John Dunne, director of the town’s shellfish hatchery, told the East Hampton Town Trustees that the Long Island Oyster Growers Association is asking the public to assist in locating aquaculture gear that was ripped out of commercial farming installations by ice. “Any farmers that left gear floating sustained some damages,” he said, “and that stuff that was ripped out of their farm from the ice is now working its way, washing up on beaches.”
It was a rough winter, Mr. Dunne noted, “and it’s not just oyster farm gear that’s washing up. There’s bulkhead material, dock material, boat material, mooring area material, all kinds of stuff washing up. But the oyster growers are actively trying to recover all that gear in an effort to be good stewards.”
Commercial aquaculture gear could consist of a black float attached to a metal or plastic mesh cage, Mr. Dunne said. The floats could include an inscription such as “OysterGro,” “Flow N Grow,” “FlipFarm,” or the like. “There could be mesh oyster bags inside the cage,” he said, “and in best-case scenario it could include an orange tag . . . that’ll have the farm name and hopefully a phone number on it, so folks can actually call the farmer directly.” Mr. Dunne also suggested that if the gear is lightweight, it could be dragged above the high tide line “so it doesn’t get sucked back out into the water.”
Members of the public who find oyster farm gear have been asked to report it by noting its location, taking a picture of it, if possible, and sending that information to [email protected]. “They want it back,” he said of oyster farmers and their equipment. “Nobody wants to litter the beach.”
