Aquaculture Lease Program

AQUACULTURE LEASE PROGRAM IN PECONIC BAY AND GARDINER'S BAY

PUBLIC NOTICE & REQUEST FOR WRITTEN COMMENTS ON PROPOSED AQUACULTURE LEASE SITES

Issue Date: March 11, 2026 Expiration Date: May 10, 2026

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to Chapter 475, Article II of the Suffolk County Code, the Suffolk County Department of Economic Development and Planning has received a total of six (06) complete applications for aquaculture lease sites in Peconic Bay and Gardiner's Bay solicited under the 2026 Lease Application Cycle. These applications from eligible candidates who are interested in obtaining a lease from Suffolk County for the controlled raising, breeding, growing, and containment of shellfish through on-bottom and/or off-bottom culture techniques for a term of 10 years.

Three (03) applications were submitted by aspiring new shellfish farmers, each interested in obtaining one 10-acre lease. Three (03) applications were submitted by existing successful shellfish farmers seeking to obtain a second 10-acre lease. One (01) application was submitted by an existing shellfish farmer seeking to relocate their existing lease to an alternative location.

Each applicant was permitted to propose up to three (3) lease sites in their respective applications, this notice includes a total of eighteen (18) proposed sites for leasing. Please note, some lease sites were applied for by more than one applicant. While all proposed sites are located within the adopted Shellfish Cultivation Zone, each applicant may only receive one of their proposed lease sites under 2026 Lease Application.

Separate from the 2026 Lease Application Cycle, two (02) applications were submitted by an existing shellfish farmer seeking to assign (transfer) their leases to a new entity. The lease sites subject to assignment are currently under operation and no new lease sites are proposed as part of the assignment application.

Pertinent information on each of the applications is contained in Attachment A of this Notice. A map showing the locations of all proposed lease sites, as well as this public notice are available for review on the Lease Program website: https.// www.suffolkcountyny.gov/shellfish

Prior to deploying gear and/or conducting any type of shellfish aquaculture on a lease site, lease sites must be approved by the Aquaculture Lease Board and a Shellfish Aquaculture Lease

Aquaculture Lease Program De