Fairfield commission approves up-to-$2,500 fund for possible clam relay

The Fairfield Shellfish Commission approved a voice vote to allocate up to $2,500 to charter a boat for a possible clam relay, a stock-restoration method that moves clams from harvest areas to local shellfish beds.

The chair said the relay would require a license from the Bureau of Agriculture and that state rules require water temperatures of about 50°F before a relay can proceed. After the relay the commission must close affected beds for approximately two weeks and deliver 15 shellfish samples to Milford for bacterial testing. If the Milford results pass, the beds reopen; if not, additional testing and delays may be required.

Commissioners debated timing and trade-offs. Several members urged trying to schedule a relay as soon as tides, weather and temperature align; others cautioned against relays that would force bed closures during high-use weekends, such as Memorial Day. Members discussed available high-tide windows (late April through May) and the harbor conditions that would allow the contractor’s boat to reach the beds.

The commission voted by voice; the motion carried (vocal “Aye”s were recorded; an exact numeric tally was not taken). The chair said the allocation is contingent on confirming the contractor’s availability, tide and temperature, and obtaining the required license. The commission also discussed a market-buy option as a contingency if a relay cannot proceed due to weather, tide or licensing.