Governor Hochul Announces Additional $6.5 Million for Town of Islip Regional Shellfish Hatchery

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced an additional $6.5 million in state capital funding for the Town of Islip Regional Shellfish Hatchery, bringing the State's total commitment to $16.5 million to support construction of a new facility. The Governor previously toured the existing hatchery with Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter to see firsthand how the facility supports Long Island's shellfish industry and the health of local waterways.

"Long Island's shellfish industry is an important part of our regional economy, maritime heritage and environmental health," Governor Hochul said. "This additional investment will help the Town of Islip move forward with a new hatchery that supports local oyster farmers, strengthens our blue economy and helps protect the waters that make Long Island special."

The additional funding builds on the $10 million announced by Governor Hochul in 2024 for the new Regional Shellfish Hatchery. Increased construction costs have raised the project's total cost to $16.5 million. The additional $6.5 million will help cover those costs and advance construction of the new facility.

Islip's existing hatchery is a critical resource for Long Island's aquaculture industry, supplying juvenile oysters and clams to shellfish farmers and supporting shellfish restoration efforts. The hatchery produces approximately 25 percent of all caged oysters harvested in New York State. The new facility will expand production capacity to meet growing demand from local shellfish farmers and support the long-term sustainability of the industry.

Islip Town Supervisor Angie M. Carpenter said, "I sincerely want to thank Governor Hochul for her continued commitment to Long Island, and especially, for the Town of Islip's Shellfish Hatchery and the additional $6.5 million investment on top of the original $10 million to help bring this vital project to completion. Our hatchery supports local oyster growers, strengthens our local economy, and helps restore the health of Great South Bay. This investment is an investment in not only our regional economy but more importantly to our environment and the future of Long Island."

Earlier this year, the Governor was instrumental in getting a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretarial Disaster Designation for the shellfish industry on Long Island. The shellfish aquaculture industry represents an important component of New York's agricultural sector and coastal economy, consisting largely of small and family-owned operations that contribute to regional seafood production and employment.

This new investment also builds on New York State's Blue Food Transformation initiative, launched as part of Governor Hochul's 2024 State of the State agenda. The initiative supports marine agriculture, strengthens the state's local food system, promotes a healthy natural environment and expands opportunities for New York's seafood industry. Shellfish also play an important role in coastal ecosystems. Oysters filter water and can help reduce excess nutrients, supporting water quality and the ecological health of Great South Bay and other marine waters around Long Island.