July 12, 2015 — HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Connecticut’s shellfish industry that sees state regulators as heavy-handed is backing an advisory council established by the legislature to seek common ground.

With demand strong for oysters and other shellfish, the industry and state officials have a shared goal to make sure Connecticut capitalizes on the lucrative agricultural niche. A key task of the Aquaculture Advisory Council will be to develop a plan to expand the shellfish industry.

It also will recommend procedures to make available maps with the names of shellfish bed leaseholders and review health and safety standards related to the industry — a matter that was pushed to the forefront two years ago by a temporary shutdown over tainted shellfish.

The group will include representatives of the industry, a habitat conservation organization, a marine studies expert and a local official from a shoreline community on western Long Island Sound where the state’s largest shellfish businesses operate. The 13-member council will be appointed by the governor and Democratic and Republican leaders of the legislature.

Read the full story from the Associated Press at The Elkhart Truth