MATUNUCK, RI - Today, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), a strong advocate of shell fishermen and the state's sustainable aquaculture industry, visited Matunuck Oyster Bar to meet with local oyster farmers to discuss Rhode Island's growing aquaculture industry.

In an effort to help oyster farmers create jobs, restore the health of the Bay, and promote ecologically sustainable development, Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee, secured $1.5 million in 2002 to hatch the Rhode Island Aquaculture Initiative, which has increased the breadth and depth of the local aquaculture industry.  In the years following, Reed secured an additional $1.6 million in federal appropriations to boost aquaculture research facilities at Roger Williams University's (RWU) Center for Environmental and Economic Development (CEED).  In 2010, Reed secured $500,000 for RWU's Oyster Gardening for Restoration and Enhancement (OGRE) Program, which is seeding Narragansett Bay with oysters for habitat restoration and $300,000 to promote genetic research on shellfish. These programs have helped the state's aquaculture grow by leaps and bounds, and it now serves as a model for other coastal states.

"Sustainable aquaculture is good for the environment and good for our economy," said Reed.  "I am proud to have secured nearly $4 million in federal funding to help local oyster farmers restore the health of the Bay and estuaries as well as provide healthy, sustainable, and delicious oysters to consumers across the country.  The industry continues to grow, and I will continue working to help the state's aquaculture industry penetrate foreign markets."

Today, Reed toured the award-winning Matunuck Oyster Bar, which is owned and operated by oyster farmer Perry Raso.  Mr. Raso began his oyster farm with a grant from the Reed Aquaculture initiative in 2002.  He has expanded the operation, opening the restaurant in 2009, and employed over 100 Rhode Islanders throughout the year through the farm and restaurant, which overlooks his 7-acre oyster farm in East Matunuck.  Visitors can tour the farm to see how the oysters are raised and how they get directly from the water to the plate. 

Bivalves are becoming big business in the Ocean State, and world-class aquaculture research facilities at the University of Rhode Island (URI) and Roger Williams University are helping to lead the way.  According to the R.I. Coastal Resources Management Council (CRMC), there are 38 aquaculture farms currently operating in the state.  Last year Rhode Island oyster farmers produced and sold 3.6 million oysters, a major increase from just 126,000 in 1996.  Additionally, almost a million dollars worth of shellfish, including clams and mussels, were raised for various restoration projects.