A Case For Adding a Lane to your Seafood Cuisine Trail: An Open Letter to Governor Hochul
Subject: A Case For Adding a Lane to your Seafood Cuisine Trail
Dear Governor Hochul,
While I understand lobbying is outside the scope of my foundation's bylaws, I'm writing to offer my unique perspective and potential partnership in advancing New York's promising seaweed industry. As the leader of Lazy Point Farms, a direct-impact initiative dedicated to supporting New York seaweed cultivators, I've developed deep relationships and insights that could be invaluable to your administration.
Our work at Lazy Point Farms is focused on empowering anyone in New York who sees the potential of seaweed. This includes supporting Girl Scout Gold Star Award projects, providing educational resources for classrooms, supplying samples to NYC universities and firms for innovative research, and granting essential processing equipment and spools to permitted cultivators. We've also invested in crucial safety research and trials in partnership with New York Sea Grant, all in support of your Seafood Cuisine Trail.
I understand the complexities involved in fostering a new industry, and I appreciate your desire to ensure responsible growth. However, the current permitting process, averaging 1.5 years, and the uncertainty surrounding your veto have created challenges for our dedicated growers. I believe we can work together to streamline these processes and build confidence in the future of New York’s seaweed industry.
Your Seafood Cuisine Trail initiative, which highlights the potential of kelp, is a testament to your vision. New York is uniquely positioned to capitalize on seaweed's diverse applications, from backyard cultivation in Oyster Bay to commercial operations and water quality improvement projects. New York has the talent, the technology, and the potential to lead the nation in this emerging sector, but there are some obstacles in our way.
To ensure this potential is realized, I propose we collaborate to:
Streamline the seaweed permitting process: Identify and address the bottlenecks that are slowing down cultivation efforts.
Foster responsible growth: Develop clear guidelines and best practices to ensure sustainable development for seaweed.
Promote collaboration: Connect seaweed growers, researchers, and policymakers to share knowledge and resources.
Highlight successes: Showcase the positive impact of seaweed cultivation on our economy and environment.
Increase awareness: Promote the benefits of New York seaweed to consumers and industries.
I believe by working together, we can transform New York's seaweed industry into a thriving economic and environmental asset. I invite you to visit our operations and see firsthand the dedication and innovation of our local cultivators.
I am confident that by combining your administration's vision with the practical expertise of our community, we can create a sustainable and prosperous future for New York seaweed.
Sincerely,
Wendy Moore
Foundation - Lazy Point Farms - Instagram - Email
Do you agree with what we wrote? Want to add your name and endorse this message?
Co-endorsees:
Scott Bluedorn, East Hampton Energy Sustainability Committee:
“I fully endorse all seaweed related initiatives, including awareness of the fledgling kelp industry in New York!”
Corey Ainsworth, Long Island local:
“Would love to see a push towards aquaculture in New York”
Susan Wicks, Violet Cove Oysters:
“The Kelp industry needs your support.”
Howard Pickerell, Oyster Farmer for 32 years in Peconic Bay:
“We need more US grown and harvested sea food products .. We have the will the man power and ideal climate for production”
Maria McBride, Slow Food East End:
“Slow Food East End, the Long Island non-profit chapter of the international organization Slow Food, endorses the effort to streamline the approval process to insure our state and local eco-system continues to provide accessible paths of engagement for aqua farmers and encourage new business development for the kelp and seaweed markets. Continuing to build this industry will bring more opportunity and healthy, sustainable farming practices to the East End.”