Measure
Oysters
Calendar
Schedule
|
 |
SPAT is the word for the tiniest form of shellfish that has settled onto the
place where it will live out its life. The SPAT program was created to encourage community members to
become stewards of their environment and to restore shellfish to the bays.
To augment the limited staff of the Cornell Marine Program*, volunteers help produce shellfish to
seed the bays. SPAT volunteers grow miniscule shellfish in containment, away from predators, until they
reach adult size when they are released into local creeks and bays.
Volunteers are offered monthly workshops and provided with shellfish seed and necessary tools and
supplies to grow their shellfish gardens either at their own waterfront or in the SPAT community garden.
In exchange for a minimal fee, all permits are secured and volunteers may harvest half of the shellfish
for personal use while the other half is returned to the waters.
Volunteers maintaine the hatchery ("SPAT Shack"), and nursery. Over 400 people have taken part
in this program and it continues to grow each year.
*
SPAT Goals:
Four goals are seen in the excerpts and quotes from the open house interview by
Marcelle S. Fischler in the Long Island Section of the New York Times, January 21, 2001.
THE cheerleader for clams, oysters and scallops was standing in the middle of the algae
laboratory, holding up a flask half full of a concoction from Tahiti that looked like liquid
butterscotch in one hand and a glass of white wine in the other. (This opening line is not a goal.)
Goal 1: Aquaculture Training.
To teach culturing, spawning, planting and monitoring shellfish, he recently jumpstarted
the Southold Project in Aquaculture Training with an open house. The new training program
may help the environment and hasten a shellfish renaissance. Lessons include seeding and
tending shellfish gardens by the hatchery in the canals. Research opportunities and
monthly workshops.
Goal 2: Community Project.
This is a community effort for the betterment of the town and everybody in the town. That's
a critical component and that's why it's going to work. Participants sign on as stewards.
Goal 3: Restoring The Bays.
For his shellfish restoration and information gathering effort ... targeting ... folks
who remember the days when the bay was so covered in scallops they risked getting
their toes snapped walking in the water. To reseed the bay ... The whole point of this project and the
whole point of my job ... is to provide the parents for the food that you eat from the bay.
His goal, "We want our bays back. Like in the glory days."
Goal 4: Construction.
From the hatchery, the shellfish are moved to upwellers in the nursery outside until they
are large enough to be transferred to the creek or bay.
Goal 5: Fund Raising.
Though not mentioned in the NYT, this goal later became a necessity, as a result of the budget cuts.
Click here for the full text.
|
The SPAT Program is financed by federal grants, corporate sponsorships, foundation support, participant
fees and fund raising.
|
WIN a classic 16 foot Glouster Light Gull
Raffle tickets are on sale for $5.00 a ticket or $20.00 for a book of 5 tickets. The raffle drawing will take place at the Greenport Maritime Festival SPAT booth, on Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 5:00 P.M. You do not have to be present to win. ALL proceeds from the raffle will go directly to the SPAT community shellfish restoration program. Get your tickets now!
The SPAT volunteer office is at 631-852-8660 extension 34
|
|
|
|
