The Coalition of Connecticut Shellfishers will hold a press conference to protest new state shellfish bed leases that allow the state to cancel leases at any time without cause and seize shellfish on the beds. The new leases negatively impact small, family-run shellfishing businesses by creating uncertainty and preventing them from being able to sell or transfer their businesses. The press conference will take place on September 10th at the Milford Aquaculture Center and feature representatives from the shellfishing industry and various state and local officials.

1. The Coalition of
Connecticut Shellfishers LLC
East Norwalk, Conn.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Kevin Moore -203-788-8497
September 9, 2014 kjtmoore@sbcglobal.net
James Amann – 203-605-2453
jimamann@hotmail.com
Press Conference:
Conn. Shellfish Industry to Protest State of Conn.'s Illegal and
Anti-competitive Shellfish Bed Leases
Local Shellfishermen Fear Loss of Businesses by New State Lease Terms – Cancellation without Cause, Taking
of Property; Inability to Compete or Sell Businesses Resulting
Milford, CT....Connecticut's shellfishing industry, one of oldest in the nation, is under siege by the State of
Connecticut. The Department of Agriculture has, without advanced notification to the shellfishing industry,
typically small, family-run operations, forced new leases upon shellfishing companies for lease of State owned
coastal aquatic land used for shellfish beds. In many instances, these leases were issued to the shellfishermen
long after the conclusion of a State run bidding process under which prior years' terms and conditions were
presented. Included among the terms and conditions of the new lease, the State of Connecticut is now permitted
to:
1. Cancel the lease with the shellfishing companies “at will” for no cause, at any time
2. Upon termination of the lease, the shellfish companies are required to waive their right to their
product - their shellfish - which lie in various states of maturity on coastal beds.
The new leases have had an immediate chilling effect on yet another Connecticut industry, one that employs
hundreds and creates annual sales of more than $30 million.
Where: Milford Aquaculture Center
NEFSC Milford Laboratory
190 Rogers Avenue
Milford, Conn.
When: September 10, 2014, 10:30 a.m.
Who: Representatives from Connecticut's shellfish industry, Conn. State
Representatives James Maroney (119th
District), Representative
Kim Rose (118th
District), Milford, Conn. Mayor Benjamin G.
Blake, other state and municipal officials and supporters
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