Area Oyster Farming Among Topics Discussed at Environmental Summit

CAPE MAY – The Delaware Estuary Science and Environmental Summit was held at Cape May’s Grand Hotel Jan. 25-28, including two panel discussions about the growing aquaculture-farming industry in the region.
The summit was hosted by the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary, a National Estuary Program, as they have every other year since 2005. This year’s theme was ‘Balancing Progress & Protection – 10 Years of Science in Action.’ The Estuary’s website states that the summit averages over 300 attendees, and claims it is the best way to learn and share information.
Scientists, outreach specialists and resource managers in attendance were given ample opportunity to network with one another, as that was one of the goals of the summit. They swapped stories of their experiences with research and environmental issues, and in any given ballroom or general area of the hotel, conversations of science, sports, and laughter from jokes of very niche subjects could be overheard.
Tables were set up with representatives from various environmental organizations ready to hand out booklets and information packets to anyone interested.
According to their website, the Delaware Estuary is a non-profit with a mission to lead science-based and collaborative efforts to improve the tidal Delaware River and Bay. “Collaboration is essential for a healthy Delaware River and Bay,” explained Jennifer Adkins, executive director of the Estuary. “Millions of people, wildlife, and plants depend on its natural resources, and no single agency is wholly responsible for managing it,” Adkins continued.
Bruce Schultz delivered the keynote address based on his book Natural Lives, Modern Times: People and Places of the Delaware River. While most of the focus was on clean water, healthy habits, shellfish, and tidal wetlands, other speakers focused on community outreach, education and funding.
Each session held at the summit includes experts in a given field, such as water quality and nutrient control, giving presentations to those in attendance. There were also special panels that include professionals, scientists, and in the case of the shellfish session, oyster farmers and farm owners.
A special session titled: ‘Shellfish Culture Now and Tomorrow – Charting a Course for Delaware Estuary Aquaculture’ featured presenters John Ewart, an aquaculture specialist, and Lisa Calvo from the Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory at Rutgers University.
Ewart focused his presentation on shellfish field research over the years, including growth and survival data, shellfish pathogen surveys, and oyster gardening programs. He also discussed farming in inland bays, permitting of farms, and the current status of the shellfish industry development in Delaware.
In her presentation, Calvo discussed what defines aquaculture and what the roots of oyster culture are. She explained aquaculture as, “the farming of aquatic organisms … and also implies an ownership of stock.” Part of her presentation was about oyster farming and aquaculture on a global scale, but also on a more local scale in New Jersey. “Globally, aquaculture is a really big thing. Bivalve shellfish productions represent a very large and really fast growing segment,” she continued.
Cape May is known mostly for their Victorian-style houses, and historical impact, but Cape May is also known for their oysters. Calvo raved about the quality and flavor of Cape May oysters and the local food movement that has featured the oysters and brought them much deserved attention.
However, Calvo also discussed the challenges of oyster growing in New Jersey and listed harsh seasonal weather, loss due to disease and poor water quality in protected waters, as reasons why New Jersey has fewer farms than other states such as Massachusetts and Virginia.
The special session ended with a panel of experts and an open floor question-and-answer session. There was no shortage of questions as attendees showed concern for how climate and weather change affects farming and the difference between farming in New Jersey and farming in New England. As it turns out, the main difference between the two is the laws that govern aquaculture farming.
To contact Jennifer Post, email jpost@cmcherald.com.