We are not asking for a ban on oyster farms but a delay of the expansion that is necessary to figure out how to balance the impact of these farms with pollutants and the existence of shorebirds. These birds are increasingly threatened. Note full story at http://www.pressherald.com/2015/09/26/n-j-oyster-farms-may-repel-threatened-shorebird/.
According environmentalists and coastal researchers in New Jersey fear that commercial oyster farms in shallow coastal waters could jeopardize and threaten the shorebirds. As a result of their findings, they are asking for a delay in the expansion of the Delaware Bay Shellfish farming industry until more studies can be conducted as to the effect of the shellfish industry. The study wants to uncover what impact the shellfish farming industry would have on red knot shorebirds that rely on these bay’s beaches to rest and feed along a 10,000 miles of shore from South America to the Arctic.
In addition to the above facts, it is believe that these shellfish farms interfere with the shorebirds during their crucial fattening up period which occurs annually each spring.
A spokesperson for the American Littoral Society, a coastal ecology group states that “Given the critical role Delaware Bay plays as a terminal migration stopover before knots breed in the Arctic, these warnings demand that we take a strong precautionary approach to aquaculture development in Delaware Bay.” The efforts of this petition is to ask for a delay in the expansion of the Delaware Bay Shellfish farming industry until more studies can be conducted as to the effect of the shellfish industry. You can help us in our efforts to get this delay and protect these sea birds by signing and sharing this petition.
Delaware State Legislators- We are strongly urging for a delay in the expansion of the Delaware Bay Shellfish farming industry until more studies can be conducted as to the effect of the shellfish industry. The study wants to uncover what impact the shellfish farming industry would have on red knot shorebirds that rely on these bay’s beaches to rest and feed along a 10,000 miles of shore from South America to the Arctic. Do not allow these shellfish farms to move forward along the Delaware Bay until it is proven that it is safe for the existence of these necessary birds; necessary for pollutant issues. Allow this delay until studies are complete.
