Extension Assistance and Training
One on One Consultations:
Foundations of Shellfish Farming (Outline) is a training course for new and prospective farmers and those who simply seek to learn more about aquaculture practices and techniques. Topics that will be covered include how to establish and operate a shellfish business, leasing and permitting requirements, considerations for gear, vessels, and facilities, shellfish biology, aquaculture techniques and best practices, and risks involved farming shellfish. Although the course will concentrate on Long Island Sound waters within the jurisdiction of Connecticut, the topics and practices covered are applicable in the northeast U.S. and potentially beyond. *This course meets the Connecticut Department of Agriculture eligibility requirement for the submission of a Joint Agency Application for Marine Aquaculture.
- When: Tuesdays, 5:30pm - 7:30pm, weekly from January 24th to April 11th
- Location: UConn Avery Point Campus, Lowell P. Weicker, Jr. Building, Room 312
- Questions: shellfish@uconn.edu
Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP) (Overview) All aquaculture operations are required to have someone trained in seafood sanitation, and specifically to learn how to develop a HACCP plan. The Connecticut Sea Grant program offers this course in the spring and fall. Plan early as courses do fill up quickly.
- Questions: nancy.balcom@uconn.edu at (860) 405-9107.
Associations and Groups
Connecticut does not have an active aquaculture association. The Connecticut Seafood Council, a marketing-focused group, is in the process of being re-established by the legislature. Contact the CT Department of Agriculture for more information.
- Connecticut Farm Bureau Association (members exist from aqua sector)
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Working Group in CT Agriculture (no current representation from aqua sector)
- Minorities in Aquaculture
- Women in North American Aquaculture (podcast)
Financial Assistance
While startup funding is not generally available, there are several programs that may be of interest to new or existing producers:
- Farm Credit East (farm loans and business planning)
- Connecticut Department of Community & Economic Development
- Women owned business resources
- Minority Business Revolving Loan Fund (MBRLF) (a joint product of the DECD and the Spanish American Merchants Association and Black Business Alliance and HEDCO, Inc.)
- Small Business Administration - CT District Office (loans and business planning resources)
Grant Opportunities
- Connecticut Agriculture Business Assistance (see "Farm Viability" and "Farm Transition" Grants)
- Connecticut Sea Grant Development Grants (proof of concept awards; up to $5K)
- Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Grants (various types of farm-based awards)
- Guide to Federal Aquaculture Grant and Financial Assistance
Species and Systems
We recommend that prospective farmers review basic materials on species and systems. There are a series of fact sheets available through the Northeastern Regional Aquaculture Center. Also, the Aquaculture Management Guide is a great resource to understand the basic physical, environmental and disease parameters associated with cultured shellfish, fish and seaweeds.
Learn more about
Overview of the Regulatory Process (Shellfish and Seaweed Aquaculture)
There are three main steps that comprise the regulatory process for marine aquaculture, including:
- Permission to use the space; involves:
- Issuing an agreement called a lease or license
- Permission to place gear or structures; involves:
- Required for use of fixed gear such as bags, cages, longlines, upwellers, etc.
- Review for Potential Impacts to Significant Human Uses
- Review for Potential Impacts to Protected Species and Habitats
- Business Operations Authorization; involves:
- Shellfish Sanitation Training
- Facility and Vessel Inspection
- Shellfish Sales Licensing
Regulatory authorities
- David Carey | CT Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture | (203) 874-0696 | The director of the CT DA/BA serves as the State Aquaculture Coordinator and is the liaison for all aquaculture activity and interacts with all other local, state, and federal regulatory authorities.
- Shannon Kelly | CT Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Aquaculture
- Sue Jacobson | CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP)
- Yolanda Cooley| CT DEEP, Boating Safety Division
- Bruce Williams | CT DEEP, Fisheries Division
- Cori M. Rose | US Army Corps of Engineers
- Town Shellfish Commissions | Click here for individual town contacts
Guidance for Site Selection, Permitting, Sales and Farm Management
- Aquaculture Mapping Atlas is an online map viewer that allows users to view, overlay and print maps containing human use, habitats and species, environmental and shellfish-related data
- Guide to Permitting Marine Aquaculture is a comprehensive guide available to help applicants navigate the regulatory process
- Eelgrass Survey Guidance (version August 2016)
- Shellfish Direct Sales Guidance (version April 2020)
Application Forms
Required forms - Permission to use space
- State Shellfish Lease Area Application
- State Seaweed Area License Application
- State Branford Initiative Area License Application
- Town Shellfish Lease/License/Co-Management Applicants (contact local shellfish commission)
Required forms - Permission to use gear systems
- Joint Agency Application for Marine Aquaculture (version 05/23/19)
- Natural Diversity Database (NDDB) Form
- ENGR 4345 Form
- Coastal Zone Management Statement
- Scientific/Resource Assessment License Application (to import shellfish – read current policy)
Required forms – Production licenses allowing sales of aquaculture products
- Shellstock Shipper I (Aq-39_ShipperI_Combined_2019) Full Application
- Shellstock Shipper I (Aq-39_ShipperI_Combined_2019) Short Application
- Seaweed Producer License Application
- Food Manufacturing Establishment License
Connecticut's Aquaculture Permitting Workgroup
In response to an increasing number of marine aquaculture operations being proposed in Connecticut coastal areas, an interagency workgroup of comprised of local, state and federal resource managers was formed. The workgroup's purpose is to streamline the marine aquaculture application and review process. It does so by holding quarterly interagency meetings, conducting on-demand stakeholder outreach workshops, and by developing and improving aquaculture site selection tools. In doing so, the workgroup strives to:
- Increase public and applicant knowledgeable of the requirements of the permitting process
- Improve communication among agencies and between agencies and producers
- Address and minimize effects of cultivation practices on the environment
- Allow for safe boating and navigation
- Avoid use conflicts