Shellfish and Aquaculture Monitoring

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is the lead State agency
responsible for shellfish and aquaculture. The Bureau performs coastal sanitary
surveys along Connecticut's 250-mile shoreline and monitors shellfish growing
areas in Long Island Sound for the protection of public health. Seawater
samples are collected at numerous routine monitoring locations along the
coastline and tested for fecal coliform bacteria. Fecal coliforms are an
indicator group of bacteria, that when found at certain levels, suggest
bacterial or viral contamination of the waters.

Shoreline surveys are conducted to assess and correct sources of pollution. The
DA/BA examines plankton tows and shellfish meats as necessary to evaluate the
potential for marine biotoxins that can be formed by certain types of
phytoplankton. The Bureau also posts signs in areas closed to shellfishing,
performs hydrographic dye dilution studies, performs environmental
investigations, prepares memorandums of understanding for conditional
shellfishing areas, reviews applications for shellfish harvest operations and
initiates emergency closures of shellfishing areas.

Waterbody or Watershed Names: Long Island Sound

Sponsor: State of Connecticut Department of Agriculture - Bureau of Aquaculture

Additional Information OR Comments: Please contact the program for more
information.