It is my opinion that the Commissioner of Agriculture is trying to appoint himself judge, jury, and executioner for all enforcement issues involved in the shellfish industry, without going through the judicial processes that are already in place. Believe this is a bad idea for the industry, when it is apparent to me that the Commissioner has been so retaliatory against a select few shellfishermen.
Many shellfishermen are afraid to oppose this new lease for fear of the retaliatory actions that seem to be the policy of the Department of Aquaculture. I do not believe that the Department of Aquaculture’s goals that they are referring to be the reason for updating the lease were not credible and that the new lease will do more harm than good to the industry there is an underlying agenda to what the states trying to accomplish which has no benefit to the growth and sustainability of the shellfish industry nor does it do anything to reduce the harmful bacteria that is not already being done through the HACCP program as well as the actions by the industry itself, who go above and beyond what’s required of them. I do not believe that the department as the knowledge or experience to make these changes on their own without talking to the industry asking their opinion the impact that these changes will do to the shellfish industry.
Other shellfishermen have requested to sit down with the Department of Aquaculture and discuss these changes. In the response they received was that they will not meet with the industry. And the state of Connecticut will not alter the terms of lease
It is my opinion that the Commissioner of Agriculture is trying to appoint himself judge, jury, and executioner for all enforcement issues involved in the shellfish industry, without going through the judicial processes that are already in place. Believe this is a bad idea for the industry, when it is apparent to me that the Commissioner has been so retaliatory against a select few shellfishermen.
Many shellfishermen are afraid to oppose this new lease for fear of the retaliatory actions that seem to be the policy of the Department of Aquaculture. I do not believe that the Department of Aquaculture’s goals that they are referring to be the reason for updating the lease were not credible and that the new lease will do more harm than good to the industry there is an underlying agenda to what the states trying to accomplish which has no benefit to the growth and sustainability of the shellfish industry nor does it do anything to reduce the harmful bacteria that is not already being done through the HACCP program as well as the actions by the industry itself, who go above and beyond what’s required of them. I do not believe that the department as the knowledge or experience to make these changes on their own without talking to the industry asking their opinion the impact that these changes will do to the shellfish industry.
Other shellfishermen have requested to sit down with the Department of Aquaculture and discuss these changes. In the response they received was that they will not meet with the industry. And the state of Connecticut will not alter the terms of lease