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Town shellfish hatchery reports heavy seedings, new predator threats and scallop die‑off concerns
Summary
The town's aquaculture and hatchery team reported production of millions of clams and oysters but said scallop seedings were decimated this season, likely by a coccidian parasite; cow‑nose rays and overwinter ice losses also damaged seedings, prompting changes to seeding timing and calls for continued monitoring and partner support.
East Hampton’s aquaculture program reported robust hatchery production on Oct. 21 but warned of multiple biological pressures that reduced expected harvests and seed survival.
John Barley Dunn, who runs the town hatchery and nursery operations, said the town produced about 2 million oysters and roughly 6 million clams for seeding, and has continued its shell recycling and reef restoration work. “We produce seed maps every year that are available online,” Dunn said, describing education and volunteer engagement through oyster gardening and reef projects.
But Dunn flagged emerging threats: a coccidian parasite has caused severe die‑offs in bay scallops this summer, leaving only tens of thousands of survivors out of several hundred thousand seeded; some strains from other areas (Mariches Bay, Martha’s Vineyard) show resistance and will be used to re‑seed. He also said cow‑nose rays — a warm‑water species — have been consuming newly seeded oysters and that overwinter ice last year dragged clam bags and caused overwinter losses.
Dunn recommended delaying some seeding until rays migrate out of local waters and proposed ramping up surveys, diver assistance and partnership with Pangea/Piconic/ Stony Brook for technical support and data collection. He also highlighted the hatchery’s educational programs and shell‑recycling reefs established in town waters.
What’s next: staff will postpone some seeding to reduce predation losses, increase monitoring and work with regional partners to source parasite‑resistant scallop stocks and to scale reef and survey work in 2026.
