Oyster aquaculture has clear ecological benefits and is of increasing economical importance along the New Hampshire Seacoast. The CCA NH Board of Directors has been monitoring and engaging around the oyster aquaculture permitting process over the last year or so. Increasingly, permits are being sought for floating oyster cages, and this has the potential to interfere with other uses, such as fishing, kayaking, and boating activities.
On Friday, January 24, 2025, three members of the CCA NH Board of Directors (Ritchie White, Dave Beattie, and Dale Pike) attended a Public Hearing of the NH Fish & Game Department. While we spoke as individuals, the three of us all supported oyster aquaculture (and these specific permits), and also stressed the importance of the permit review process to make sure the cages aren’t sited where they will excessively interfere with other uses. The hearing involved sites in the Hampton / Seabrook area and more information can be found here: