To learn firsthand the importance of preserving the quality of the Long Island Sound as he pushes for a significant increase in federal funding, U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy toured Norm Bloom & Son”™s Copps Island Oyster shellfish company in Norwalk. The operators of the third-generation, family-run business have been plying the waters of Norwalk and beyond for more than 60 years.
Earlier this month, Murphy released his Long Island Sound Investment Plan, an $860 million proposal to support Connecticut”™s $30 million shellfishing industry by increasing funding for initiatives to support the health of the sound and its shoreline industries.
“I know that number sounds big to people, but we have to start setting the targets high for the federal programs that help clean up the sound and will help restore the ability of shellfishermen to be able to do business here,” Murphy said while touring the business on May 5. “This is my opportunity to be able to bring what they are doing back to Washington so I can talk to my colleagues on a firsthand basis about how important supporting the shellfish industry is and how research on how to do better with this industry is really critical to their survival.”
An ecosystem health report card by Harbor Watch last year gave Norwalk Harbor a C-plus rating due to pollutants in the water.
Harbor Watch is the research and monitoring branch of Earthplace, a nature sanctuary and environmental learning center based in Westport since 1958.
Norm Bloom, owner of Copps Island Oysters, said his father began fishing the sound in the 1940s. Today, he and his son Jimmy have continued the family business and after decades on the water through some of its worst times the two report favorable and improving conditions.
“The condition of the sound has gotten better, especially since back in the ”™70s,” Bloom said.
The Blooms manage a fleet of 15 vessels, some of which are more than 80 and 100 years old. Bloom credits the hundreds of bags of shellfish he sells a day to the state”™s supportive aquaculture program, “one of the best in the country.” Both he and his son report the industry is doing well despite setbacks in recent years from devastating storms such as hurricanes Irene and Sandy. Shellfish demand is up, said Jimmy Bloom, as is the shellfish population, of which he estimates 90 percent was devastated by disease in the 1990s.
“Since then, it has made almost a full recovery,” he said, “Water quality is improving, but there is still a lot of work to be done. It needs to be monitored constantly. Decaying infrastructure, pipes breaking and leaking into the sound ”“ if we are not on top of it and monitoring it, these things could go unseen.”
Murphy”™s proposal specifically addresses the state”™s crumbling infrastructure and other inland sources of water pollution known as nonpoint source pollution.
“We basically have done everything we can with wastewater treatment plants,” he said. “The problems now are leaky sewer pipes, fertilizer runoff, road runoff ”“ that”™s where all the work is. That”™s where the budgets are tightest for a lot of these towns.”
Murphy”™s broad proposal calls for $164.9 million to support a section of the Clean Water Act that addresses nonpoint source pollution, the largest single area for increased funding.
In addition, $150 million would be used to support fisheries and ecosystem science research programs run by the National Oceananic and Atmospheric Administration”™s (NOAA) Milford Laboratory; $121.8 million to support fisheries and ecosystem science programs and services, in addition to millions more to bolster shoreline resiliency against severe storms and grow the state”™s fishing industry.
“We need eyes out there monitoring,” said the elder Bloom. “It”™s something you can never look away from. The more they keep these guys (Harbor Watch) going the better we are out there. It”™s not just commercial, it is a whole recreational program, too.”
According to Murphy”™s office, the sound generates an economic impact of more than $17 billion for the state annually through tourism, fishing, shellfishing and boating.
As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Murphy has had a string of successes in his efforts to restore the sound. He has secured more than $20 million for aquaculture research and nearly $200 million for programs that support NOAA”™s environmental efforts, but is realistic about the success of his new proposal in light of the belt-tightening fiscal climate on Capitol Hill.
“I am calling for about a 15 percent increase in funds to support the sound. That”™s not going to happen this year, but I want to set a benchmark in what we need in order to support companies like (Copps Island Oysters),” he said. “I think we have to set our sights high. I understand we are not going to get 10 or 15 percent increases in these accounts this year, but the Senate appropriations bill includes some pretty big increases for aquaculture programs so I think we are starting to turn the corner in having success in convincing our colleagues to increase these accounts.”
