Opening from On This Site - Native Long Island

Shinnecock Oyster Project

The Shinnecock Oyster Project connects Shinnecock maritime knowledge, shellfish restoration, aquaculture training, environmental stewardship, and living Native continuity in Shinnecock Bay. Initiated in 1974 with the construction of a versatile tribal shellfish hatchery, the Shinnecock Oyster Project represents a modern revitalization of the Nation's long maritime heritage. By blending traditional ecological knowledge with contemporary aquaculture science, this ongoing initiative demonstrates how Indigenous communities actively adapt to environmental changes while pursuing economic self-determination. The Shinnecock Oyster Project began in 1974 as a Shinnecock-led effort to restore shellfish production, create jobs, and reconnect aquaculture training with Shinnecock Bay. Supported by the New York Community Trust and training connected to the Lummi School of Aquaculture, the project...