The New York Seafood Summit showcases Suffolk’s maritime economy

There’s no better place to learn about the issues that Long Island’s seafood industry is facing than at the New York Seafood Summit.

Now celebrating its 10th year, the summit has become a must-attend gathering for everyone with a stake in New York’s waters — from fishermen and oyster growers to chefs, scientists and policymakers. Organized by New York Sea Grant with assistance from Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program, the event is held at various locations around the state. 

This year’s series kicked off on March 27 at the Riverhead Free Library, drawing a crowd of Long Island professionals from the culinary, fisheries and aquaculture worlds. Two additional sessions will be held at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park on April 8 and at the Oswego Public Library in Oswego on April 9.

The summit serves as a place to connect. As Michael Ciaramella, Seafood Safety and Technology Specialist at New York Sea Grant explains, the event was launched in 2016 to bring together different sectors of New York’s seafood economy: “academics, decision-makers, and others with a vested interest in fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood.” 

Ciaramella says that the summit’s purpose is “to foster cross‑sector communication and learning, identify challenges and opportunities, and encourage collaboration to support and strengthen fisheries, aquaculture, and seafood activities across New York State.”

At the Riverhead session, industry voices like Bonnie Brady of the Long Island Commercial Fishing Association and Eric Koepele of the Long Island Oyster Growers Association (LIOGA), gave updates on their respective organizations and on issues they are facing, including the damaging effects of a cold, icy winter on oyster gear and high fuel costs.

Read the whole story at northforker.com.