Food safety concerns of kelp/shellfish grown in western Long Island sound

[gregg_s]

Hello all,
I am pretty rooted with a young family in Sunset Park, Brooklyn, so I have been looking at the feasibility of kelp/shellfish farming in the westernmost portion of the CT coast--near Greenwich/Stamford--since this is the closest location to Brooklyn where leases are currently available.
I have seen on the CT aquaculture map that there are bottom cage-based oyster operations in that area, as well as a company called "New York Kelp". Is anyone aware of heavy metals/pathogen testing that has been done on kelp/shellfish grown in that area of the Sound? I'm also concerned about temporary shellfish closures potentially affecting the ability to harvest and sell farm products. I would appreciate any information that folks have about these topics!
Thank you,
Gregg

[grace_collery]

@gregg_s for food safety information related to kelp, I recommend checking out the resources complied by Sea Grant.
@kendall_barbery do you have any insights about CT regulations around approved waters or annual water testing?

[steve_timchak]

@gregg_s Hi Gregg, New York Kelp still has their lease but hasn't operated in several years, (if I'm remembering the company name correctly) I operate a 5 acre lease about 1/2 east of where they were. Last year was my first year outplanting and no issues with heavy metals on my testing done by CT DEEP Aquaculture. The clam beds in the area generally see closures in summer, not winter when the the kelp is growing.