Restorative Oysters Event Was a Hit!
This past Sunday we had the opportunity to be part of a fun and informative event centered on clean water and oysters. Working with Southampton Arts Center, we coordinated an evening that featured local oyster and wine tastings, a panel discussion on oysters and aquaculture, and screened a short film entitled Aquaculture for All!
The setting was ideal and the weather was cooperative and over 60 participants gathered (socially distanced lawn chair style!) to hear from some of the top experts and community leaders working to help advance clean water initiatives. The event kicked off with a Clean Water + Septic Panel moderated by Alexandra Talty. Bob DeLuca from Group for the East End helped explain some of the new technologies and rebates available for those seeking up upgrade their septic systems. Ann Welker, Southampton Town Trustee, spoke about some of the local efforts underway to help reduce harmful algal blooms and the importance of taking small steps like reducing lawn chemical use and irrigation on homeowner’s properties.
After a brief Q+A, it was time for intermission and a chance to mingle over pours of Borghese Vineyard’s Rosé for the Bays (which benefits CCE Marine Program) that they generously donated for the event. It made for the perfect pairing with our two local oyster selections: Yennicott Oysters and Conscience Point Oysters, which the growers also generously donated. Proceeds from ticket sales will be supporting CCE Marine Program, so we are thankful for these product contributions, and they were very much enjoyed by all who were partaking.
The second portion of the evening featured the Oysters + Aquaculture Panel, moderated by our very own Marine Program Director Chris Pickerell. Chris lead a lively discussion featuring the ever-entertaining Kim Tetrault, Director of our SPAT Program who spoke of the importance of community aquaculture, and also gave us a lesson on “merrior” - check out the video clip here. Meg Dowd, owner of Yennicott Oysters explained all that goes into farming the sea, and some of the challenges the oyster industry is facing. Peconic Baykeeper Pete Topping rounded things out by talking about their oyster farming and water quality efforts, and all panelists expressed optimism for the future of aquaculture on Long Island, especially now that kelp is about to be a new viable crop option for growers.
As the sun set, the event's final aspect got underway: the screening of a short film put together by Rory MacNish and Kim Barbour that focused on CCE Marine Program’s role in community aquaculture, commercial aquaculture, and shellfish restoration. The film is now available to stream on our YouTube channel.
This event was our first in-person event since pre-COVID times, and we were so happy to be back out in the community, getting to see friendly faces, and sharing information about the topics we care so much about with the public. Special thanks to Daniela Kroy and everyone over at Southampton Arts Center for enabling us to partner in presenting this terrific event, which was presented as companion programming to the current exhibit they have on view.
Be sure to check out “eARTh: Artists as Activists”, a timely, important exhibition featuring artists who use their talents to focus on environmental conservation and activism, whether through painting, sculpting, photography, film, music, prose, or other forms of artistic expression on view now through July 11th.
