As oyster season surges, farmers and officials urge action to protect Great South Bay
Oyster fisherman in the Great South Bay suffered big losses because of the frigid temperatures last winter.
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Oyster farmers are hoping to turn their season around after the brutal winter.
Oyster fishermen in the Great South Bay suffered big losses because of the frigid temperatures last winter.
"Couldn't sell anything that month, which was annoying," says Eric Stettner, an oyster farmer in the Town of Islip. "I lost 30% of my plantings, maybe more, 40% last year."
"I lost probably over 65%, 70% of my gear, you know, was crushed and unusable," says Ralph Corsini, another Islip oyster farmer.
But things are starting to look up for oyster farmers. They say the season is off to a great start.
"Tough start with the ice and winter, but once I sorted out all the damaged gear and rebuilt some lines that broke and all that, season's been great," says Stettner.
Town of Islip officials are warning that the future of the bay is in jeopardy because of overfishing, mass fertilization, improper waste disposal and climate change.
"People are not as cognizant of how their behaviors can harm the ecosystem, harm the Great South Bay," says Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter.
"Everything from the sewers to your backyards to the waste disposal. Everything goes into the bay," says Stettner. "Obviously we're tied directly to the health of the bay."
Some oyster farmers say despite the challenges, they think it's a problem that can be fixed.
"I think more oysters in the bay is going to be a good thing in the future. But I would love for people to be more mindful, essentially," says Stettner.
"You have a responsibility to make sure that whatever you're doing, when you're disposing of your waste, that everything is done properly," says Carpenter.
