Shellfish versus waterfront development

Tor-Eddie Fossbakk The clam and oyster farming industry has reached USD 50 million per year. It is an industry which depends on, among other things, clean water. However, with the growing waterfront development which requires new and wider roads, sewage and storm water drains, often compromises clean water. The two industries are heading for a showdown after the state introduced a proposal to create “Aquaculture Enhancement Zones” along the Eastern Shore. Such zones, if created, will be the first of their kind in Virginia. They are seen as absolutely necessary by supporters of the shellfish industry in order to secure the best possible environment for farming shellfish. Supporters of waterfront developments see such zones as hampering future growth and an infringement on property rights. According to the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the purpose of the zones is to protect the water areas where shellfish farmers are currently operating, or where they may want to operate in the future. Zone opponents are concerned that the entire Eastern Shore would be included in such a zone. Clam farming in this area was first started over 20 years ago as a few experiments and is now the largest supplier of farmed hard clams along the entire East Coast of the United States. Picture: Map of Virginia’s Eastern Shore