Long Island's oyster supply decimated by frigid winter
Long Island oyster farmers say this winter's deep freeze killed off the majority of their crops.
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The owners of Toasted Oysters on the Great South Bay say they lost a lot of their crops because of the cold snap.
They say ice cut their harvesting lines, and the rough wind and waves has their equipment lost at sea.
"We had 2.6 million oysters out there. We estimate that we maybe have 20% of that," said Ray Smith, co-owner of Toasted Oysters. "We lost about two-thirds of our gear."
The oyster farmers say say not only will the short supply affect them for this season, but it will impact them for years to come.
"What we are planting this year is set to be harvested next year and the following year," said Mike Miezianka, co-owner of Toasted Oysters.
Rep. Nick LaLota is asking the federal government to declare a fishery disaster for Long Island, which would provide financial relief for the Island's shellfish industry.
"Help oyster farmers rebuild and repair the infrastructure necessary to make Long Islander oyster farming a viable shellfish industry again," said Miezianka.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations tells News 12 it is aware of Rep. LaLota's request and is working on a response
