CRMC permits first shellfish hatchery in RI

December 30, 2015, WAKEFIELD – The Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC) recently permitted the first commercial shellfish hatchery in Rhode Island, to be located in Charlestown at the former Lavin’s Landing Marina (now known as Ninigret Landing Marina).

Christian Durfee, who previously worked as a hatchery and shellfish seed operator in Hawaii, has decided to try his luck in Rhode Island, using what he knows as well as the rich institutional knowledge resources that the state and its aquaculture community offers. Durfee is working with three other aquaculturists who have leases from the CRMC on Ninigret Pond, and who recently purchased the marina. Durfee plans to construct an upland greenhouse to house his hatchery on the marina property.

“[The partners] are fully aware that all of the seed purchased for farms in Rhode Island comes from out-of-state: New York, Maine, Connecticut, Virginia,” CRMC aquaculture coordinator David Beutel said. “All of that imported seed has Biosecurity Board concerns and must be tested, and each of those tests costs hundreds of dollars. There might now be a facility that could have a hatchery and the seed it could produce in native waters could alleviate the need for all of that pathology testing.”

Right now, all seed used for growing oysters – the state’s predominant aquaculture product – is imported, and so must be vetted by the CRMC’s Biosecurity Board, a group of experts that advises the CRMC on aquaculture disease issues and species introduction. No non-indigenous species are allowed into Rhode Island without the board’s approval. According to Beutel, the implications for a Rhode Island-based commercial hatchery are lower costs to aquaculture farmers,

“There was a lot of coordination between CRMC and the Department of Environmental Management (DEM),” Beutel said of the administrative permit process. “We worked together to address concerns to each agency’s satisfaction.”

Durfee plans to start construction as soon as possible, with the hope that the greenhouse will be ready for growing to begin in anticipation of the 2016 season. The 762 square-foot building will have intake and discharge lines that will bring pond water in and out of the hatchery. And though the CRMC is permitting the structure for aquaculture-related activities, it is strictly land-based and does not require an in-water lease, Beutel said.

While Durfee’s might be the first commercial hatchery in the state, the Roger Williams University’s Center for Economic and Environmental Development (CEED) operates the only shellfish hatchery in Rhode Island for restoration and research. Established in 2004 and expanded in 2010 as the Luther H. Blount Shellfish Hatchery, the facility provides aquaculture training for both students and the general public. The hatchery is primarily a research facility that produces shellfish for projects in the state and also for collaborations throughout the northeast. And for hatchery manager Karin Tammi, Durfee’s endeavor is a hopeful one for the industry.

“This is an exciting time for Rhode Island aquaculture,” she said. “Durfee’s hatchery offers a tremendous opportunity to provide a vital resource that is very much a part of Rhode Island’s heritage. This type of biotech industry is a win-win for everyone, young and old. As a commercial business, not only will it directly grow our shellfish industry, forge partnerships with research and restoration activities at universities and with government agencies, but also will inspire generations to come – this needs to happen now!”

According to Tammi, the framework for these types of business endeavors began more than 20 years ago with key people from the state’s universities, businesses, scientific community and public interest all working together with legislators to craft the proper process to make it possible to grow aquaculture industries in our state.

“I think everyone in the shellfish industry locally and regionally wishes Christian Durfee only the best,” she said. “His hard work and hatchery experience will add a new feature to the shellfish aquaculture landscape in Rhode Island.”