East Hampton sportsmen propose weekend "clam school"; trustees caution on permits and liability

Bill Ory, representing the East Hampton Sportsman's Alliance, asked the trustees for informal support on a community "clam school" to introduce newcomers—especially youth—to sustainable shellfishing and local rules.

"We're going to do it Saturday, 2:00 on Gerard Avenue... where the hatchery does seed clams," Ory said, describing the format as a couple of hours with experienced clammers showing small groups sustainable harvesting techniques and regulatory requirements.

Trustees and a harbor official discussed shellfish-permit requirements and enforcement. The meeting record shows trustees advised participants to obtain individual shellfish permits or operate as a guest paired with a permit holder, noting that enforcement has been inconsistent but that permit limits must not be exceeded. One trustee summarized local practice: "If no one has a license at all, you can simply observe. It's not called clamming," making clear only licensed or permitted arrangements should remove shellfish.

Trustees also raised legal and insurance concerns about an organized event on trustee property. A trustee advised that if the alliance wants trustees’ sponsorship or broader publicity, the group should provide a waiver of liability and evidence of insurance or an insurance endorsement for the event. "If you were going to do an event... you might have to have insurance," a trustee said, recommending the liability conversation be taken offline with staff so the trustees would not be exposed to unanticipated risk.

Ory said he would finalize the location and coordinate with trustee staff; he estimated about 20 participants including instructors and said organizers would encourage permits and pairing of guests with license holders. Trustees suggested the alliance coordinate with the trustees’ events committee and offered to post approved details on the trustees’ website once insurance and permit issues were resolved.

No formal trustees’ sponsorship or permit was granted at the June 8 meeting. The trustees asked Ory to provide a finalized location and to follow up with staff on insurance and indemnity so the board could decide whether to publicly endorse or list the event.