Rep. Staneski Gets Education from Milford Oystermen

From The Office of Pam Staneski: To better educate herself on the shell-fishing industry, State Rep. Pam Staneski (R-119) spent four hours on an oyster boat owned by Briarpatch Enterprises Inc. of Milford.

“I took Joe and Nancy up on their offer to tour around the Milford Harbor on one of their boats and learn what it takes to harvest oysters, maintain healthy oyster beds, and be good neighbors to the other farmers. I love to eat shellfish, but certainly am no expert on how they get to my plate, so I rely on people like Nancy and Joe to educate me on the industry and how the state can maintain an essential partnership with the industry for better shellfish safety and growth,” said Rep. Staneski.

Joe Gilbert from Briarpatch said, “We are very appreciative to Pam Staneski for coming down to the oyster boat and spending time to learn about oyster harvesting and cultivation. Pam was able to see up close and personal our industry’s need for common sense regulation and how we are a vital industry to the local economy.”

This year, Rep. Staneski and Sen. Heather Somers (R-Groton) introduced a bill this session which passed the General Assembly that will allow for additional state certified testing to handle the growing industry and ensure that samples from shellfish beds along the state coast are properly screened before sale.

Rep. Staneski has met with numerous shellfish company owners including Briarpatch Enterprises to determine how to cut the various costs in time and accessibility of tissue and water sampling.

Over the years, the state has invested $5.3 million in bonding for shellfish seeding which has grown to 7,000 acres of shellfish farms along coastal waters. Private companies have also invested heavily in bedding and preservation of these environmentally sensitive areas.

Image Courtesy of The Office of Pam Staneski