In The News

Currently, Delaware shellfish farms are solely producing Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica).  However, the industry has expressed interest in diversifying their crop to farm not only oysters but other native, commercially important shellfish species such as Hard Clams (Mercinaria mercinaria) and Bay Scallops (Argopecten irradians).  Members of the DECO are working with Rehoboth Bay oyster farmers and the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control to implement the cultivation of these commercially viable species into existing farm operations. 

With the pilot shellfish hatchery now producing a steady supply of oysters to Delaware farms, hatchery staff were able to pivot some effort to experimental hard clam production using native clams harvested from Rehoboth Bay.  One cohort of 6,000 hard clams were supplied to a commercial oyster farmer in July 2025.  This is the first documented transfer of hard clams to industry in Delaware since the industry opened.  Another clam spawn was conducted in August of 2025, which resulted in approximately 240,000 tiny hard clams – each just slightly larger than a grain of sand.  These clams will be planted locally as an effort to restore natural populations.

This week – we bring you the latest episode of the Delaware Humanities’ podcast – ‘People and Planet.’

In this episode, we focus on Delaware and oysters, exploring the history, science, and economic and cultural of oysters in First State with Ed Hale, Assistant Professor in the School of Marine Science and Policy and the Delaware Sea Grant Program at the University of Delaware and Morgan Krell, Science Technician at the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays.

As she asked the Sussex County Council to help fund the Delaware Environmental Coalition, Mimi Perdue asked council members to remember three words that describe its importance: economy, environment and education.

“This is a win-win-win project for anyone. There is no downside to this,” she said, reminding the council, at the Tuesday, June 3, meeting, that the University of Delaware is investing — as is the U.S. Congress and Delaware State Legislature — “and we are hoping the county council will see fit to do the same.”

She was at the council meeting with Rick Chamberlin, president of the coalition, as well as University of Delaware Professor Ed Hale and Kim Hoey Stevenson, who said she got involved because she believes in the coalition, formed to help communities protect the environment and living shoreline, enhance environmental sustainability and support Delaware’s ocean-centered “blue” economy.

With an eye toward increasing shellfish aquaculture participation and production in the Inland Bays, the state will host a public hearing Tuesday, March 25, on proposed changes to state code related to shellfish aquaculture.

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control issued a notice for the public hearing March 4. The proposed changes come from the work done by the Shellfish Aquaculture Task Force, which was created by the General Assembly last year and charged with examining all aspects of the program.

LEWES — The world is Delaware’s oyster, according to professionals in a new up and coming industry – the aquaculture industry. But the field of rearing and harvesting oysters can be an expensive one to navigate these days.

While the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration defines aquaculture as the breeding, rearing of harvesting fish, shellfish, algae and more, Delaware state officials are focused on the potential of oyster farms in the Rehoboth and Delaware Bays, as well as clams in the Assawoman Bay.

Richards, Derrickson sworn in for new terms

Henlopen Acres Mayor Joni Reich officially announced Anna Fagan as the new town manager at the town’s Sept. 13 organizational meeting.

The mayor had sent an email to town residents the day before.

Fagan, a resident of Rehoboth Beach, will begin Monday, Oct. 14. She is currently deputy director at the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, is a graduate of the University of Delaware and has master’s degree from Marylhurst University.

Reich said the employment offer to Fagan reflects a salary of $100,000, plus three weeks of vacation eligibility, and the town’s standard employee benefit plans package. It contains no provision for relocation benefits or purchasing a house, or any other special allowance, she said.