Status Of New Hampshire’s Shellfish
Focus Of Sept.16 Public Seminar In Hampton Beach

Contact: Candace Dolan
NH Sea Grant
603-749-1565

August 31, 2004


HAMPTON BEACH, N.H. – While New Hampshire’s shellfish resources are too limited for commercial harvesting, they are of great interest to recreational harvesters. Hampton/Seabrook Harbor contains soft-shell clams and mussels, while the Great Bay Estuary has oysters and soft-shell clams.

A panel of experts on Thursday, Sept. 16, will review the status of these shellfish resources at a free public seminar from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Ashworth Hotel on Ashworth Avenue in Hampton Beach.
At the event, Paul Geoghegan of Normandeau Associates will give a historic overview of the Hampton/Seabrook Harbor clam populations, which have declined over the past several years prompting restrictions on harvesting.

In addition, two representatives of the N.H. Department of Environmental Services will speak. Phil Trowbridge will discuss the Hampton Harbor clam mortality studies, and Chris Nash will talk about shellfish bed closures.

These presentations will be followed by a panel discussion of a number of related issues, including the dredging of Hampton Harbor and its impact on the shellfish resources.

In addition to the organizations named above, the event is being sponsored by the NH Estuaries Program, the Great Bay Coast Watch, NH Sea Grant and UNH Cooperative Extension.
For more information, contact Candace Dolan, NH Sea Grant, at 603-749-1565.