The move is designed to help boost the baymen’s incomes, increase wild shellfish stocks and improve water quality as millions of the caged shellfish filter the water as they feed.
However, a report on 27 East says that a number of East End bayman are skeptical the program will do them much good.
Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy said the programme, which was approved by the County Legislature on 2 December, is the latest step in the county's multimillion-dollar effort to restore shellfish stocks throughout the East End's bays and harbours and to keep the age-old profession of baymen viable.
The county also has dedicated more than a million dollars a year in recent years to restoring scallop populations—most recently joining with East Hampton Town to raise and release 600,000 baby scallops into town-controlled harbours, the report says.
County to Lease Sections of Peconic Estuary
US - Plans have been approved lease underwater sections of the Peconic Estuary in Southampton, New York State to baymen to raise shellfish in submerged cages.
