News Summary
New York State is providing $1.2 million in grants to 17 aquaculture businesses on Long Island to boost production capacity and support operational upgrades. This funding is part of the Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant Program, linked to the Blue Food Transformation Initiative aimed at enhancing local seafood systems. The next funding round opens on November 3, with an additional $3 million available. The aquaculture sector, especially oyster farming, has shown significant growth, benefiting local economies and promoting sustainable seafood initiatives.
New York City – The New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball has announced the allocation of $1.2 million in grants to 17 aquaculture businesses located on Long Island. This funding is aimed at supporting equipment upgrades, streamlining operations, and increasing production capacity within the industry’s growing sector.
This grant distribution is a key component of the Long Island Aquaculture Infrastructure Grant Program, which is directly linked to the state’s Blue Food Transformation Initiative that was launched in 2024. This initiative seeks to revitalize New York’s aquaculture and wild-caught seafood industries while enhancing local food systems for a sustainable seafood economy.
The next funding round, which will have an additional $3 million available for infrastructure projects, is scheduled to open for applications on November 3, 2025.
Aquaculture Industry Growth
Recent expert evaluations have highlighted the positive trends within Long Island’s aquaculture sector, particularly in the oyster farming industry. In 2023, over 16 million pounds of finfish were commercially harvested, generating a value exceeding $28 million. According to the USDA Census of Agriculture, more than 25% of Long Island farms are involved in aquaculture, with 155 operations in Suffolk County and 15 in Nassau County. In 2022 alone, these operations produced sales of $14.5 million.
Additionally, the Long Island Oyster Growers Association has noted that the oyster farming business is experiencing consistent double-digit growth, reporting a harvest of 10 million oysters in 2024.
Significant Grant Recipients
Among the key recipients of the grants is the Hampton Oyster Company, which has plans to implement digital grading technology to enhance its oyster sorting processes. This advanced technology utilizes high-speed imaging techniques that can nearly double the throughput without raising labor costs.
Other award winners include notable names such as Long Island Shellfish Company, Scrimshaw Enterprises, Widow’s Hole Oysters, Davy Jones Landing, and Great South Bay Oyster Farms, all of which stand to benefit significantly from this funding.
Boosting Local Seafood Economy
This funding initiative is expected to substantially improve the critical infrastructure necessary for aquaculture farmers, thereby ensuring the long-term viability of the sector. Governor Kathy Hochul previously announced the introduction of the Long Island Seafood Cuisine Trail, aimed at promoting local seafood businesses through culinary tourism. This trail includes the South Shore Trail, encouraging local restaurants to serve sustainably harvested seafood, while the North Shore Trail is set to open soon.
The program and corresponding funding strive to strengthen New York’s food system to enhance resilience against challenges, such as those posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. By boosting awareness and market demand for New York’s seafood, the initiative also aims to support local jobs and communities that are dependent on aquaculture.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
New York Allocates $1.2 Million for Aquaculture Grants
New Funding Support for Long Island Aquaculture Industry
SBA Launches Disaster Loan Program for New York Communities
Additional Resources
- Long Island Business News
- Newsday
- Morning Ag Clips
- Fire Island News
- Wikipedia: Aquaculture
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Aquaculture
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