'Oyster Haven Lost': Digging into the rich history of oystering in Long Island Sound and in Fair Haven

[Lee Cruz]

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Published December 9, 2022 at 8:01 AM EST

Neil Berro

 

A sculpture in Fair Haven shows silhouettes of the New Haven Oyster Tonging Sharpie. The boat was a local invention, built first in the 1840s by James Goodsell, according to local historian Neil Berro.

Neil Berro, a local amateur historian, is building a massive manuscript on the history of Connecticut oystering titled Oyster Haven Lost. This hour, he previews this trove of information, spotlighting the state's once-booming oyster industry.

Plus, the Sound School in New Haven was founded with a mission of centering hands-on curriculum, incorporating the harbor, marine science and oceanography in an “exciting educational alternative to the large comprehensive high schools in the city.”

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Student divers at the Sound School – Leny Maldonado, Gabe Segui, Sam Greenvall, and Louis Laudano – deploy "reef balls" using lift bags.

The Sound School / Peter Solomon

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Sound School senior and student diver Chloe Chmelar measures oysters.

The Sound School / Peter Solomon

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Student and student diver Eitan Hirshfield collects data on the reef.

The Sound School / Peter Solomon

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Two years after planting "reef balls," Sound School students observe oyster growth.

The Sound School / Peter Solomon

We'll hear from Sound School aquaculture coordinators about how students encounter oysters and other filter feeders in the wild, helping to bolster their growth in Long Island Sound by planting "reef balls."

GUESTS:

• Neil Berro: Amateur Historian
• Tim Visel: Former Aquaculture Coordinator, The Sound School
• Peter Solomon: Aquaculture Coordinator, The Sound School

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Katie is a producer for Connecticut Public Radio's news-talk show 'Where We Live.' She has previously worked for CNN and News 8-WTNH.

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https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/2022-12-09/oyster-haven...;