Beneath the rolling waters surrounding the Thimble Islands lie 900 acres of shellfish beds that state officials want to use to expand Connecticut's ancient oyster and clam industry. Jonathan Waters thinks he can help.
Waters, 65, spent a quarter-century making a living on Long Island Sound, much of the time harvesting shellfish from the grounds off Branford's Stony Creek. Waters is planning on becoming a mentor to new shellfishing operators who will be leasing some of those Thimble Island beds under the state's new program.
"It's a great place for shellfish," Waters said one recent morning at his dock on the Branford shoreline. A burly, gray-bearded man, Waters is semi-retired but still has the look of a quintessential New England fisherman. He was taking a break from putting together a boat he hopes to use to show newcomers the best techniques for raising and harvesting oysters and clams.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Hartford Courant
