Cornell Cooperative Extension recently reached out to Save The Great South Bay in search of lead volunteers and regular volunteers for their Shellfish Restoration Project.   Below is the flyer for the program:

Lead Volunteer Responsibilities

As a Lead Volunteer for the Long Island Shellfish Restoration Project (LISRP) through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE), you will be expected to monitor a Nursery Site to ensure a successful grow out season for our shellfish. By taking responsibility for one of these sites, you are agreeing to physically visit and check the FLUPSY daily, 7 days a week for the duration of the season, May-November. If for any reason you will not be able to do this, please contact CCE’s LISRP Volunteer Coordinator Rachael Patane and work with her to coordinate the days you are available. Daily visual inspection of the FLUPSY (specifically, ensuring the motor to the pump is running) is essential; if the clams fail to receive circulating water for any significant period of time mortality can occur.

Daily Visual Inspections: 10-15minutes per day/7 days a week

The following list includes all items of maintenance that need to be verified daily by a Lead Volunteer. If you cannot make it to check your assign site, you must inform Rachael Patane in advance to arrange for the site to be covered. When you arrive at the FLUPSY site, make sure the following are in order. Please log into the Volunteer Google Document and record all findings and log the time you were there.

  1. Motor- Make sure a steady water flow is coming out of the FLUSPY signaling the motor is pumping water through the system. Listen for any unusual sounds being made by the motor, which could suggest something is caught in the trunk line.
  2. Platform- Make a visual inspection to verify the platform, doors, locks, lines, bumpers (if present), and electrical plug have no damage to them. 
  3. Lines- Check to see if the lines attached to the FLUPSY look secure.

If you notice any problems with the above call Rachael Patane at 631-381-5944 and email [email protected] immediately so the problem can be remedied quickly. Please send pictures if possible.

**Do not walk on the FLUPSY alone. All visual inspection protocol can be carried out from the dock. 

You may only access the floating platform when accompanied by a LISRP Field Technician. **

Weekly/Bi-Weekly Unit Maintenance: 2-4 hours per Maintenance Day

On the days when maintenance is being conducted, it is not mandatory for Lead Volunteers to be present but you are welcome to assist with as much cleaning as you would like to, or are able to.

The following details weekly/bi-weekly cleaning and FLUPSY maintenance that will be performed. A LISRP Field Technician will be present to oversee and conduct all cleaning activities, but Lead Volunteers and additional Volunteers can assist while under direct supervision of LISRP staff.

  1. Barrels– Clean out/wash down the inside and outside of the barrels to remove any fouling that has occurred.
  2. Snout/Popcorn Screen– Clean out/scrub the inside of the snout to remove any fouling that has occurred. Rinse popcorn screen thoroughly.
  3. Mesh- Scrub mesh clean. If mesh is clogged it will reduce flow which with add strain to motor and prevent clams from getting necessary nutrients.
  4. Platform– Rise off the sides of the platform if dirty/fouled.

Depending on the location of the unit, FLUPSYs will be cleaned once or multiple times per week.  As the growing season gets underway we will also need additional help to measure and sieve our shellfish to make sure optimal growth is occurring.

Volunteer Responsibilities

As a Volunteer for the Long Island Shellfish Restoration Project (LISRP) through Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE), you will be expected to assist in monitoring a Nursery Site to ensure a successful grow out season for our shellfish. By taking responsibility for one or more of these sites, you are agreeing to help physically visit and check the FLUPSY as needed, May-November. In addition, you are agreeing to assist in weekly/bi-weekly maintenance of the FLUPSYs. Contact CCE’s LISRP Volunteer Coordinator Rachael Patane and work with her to coordinate the days you are available.

Visual Inspections: 10-15 minutes Daily

If you are going to help with Daily inspections of the unit, please first coordinate with Rachael Patane and the site’s Lead Volunteer.

When you arrive at the FLUPSY site, make sure the following are in order. Please log into the Volunteer Google Document and record all findings and log the time you were there.

  1. Motor- Make sure a steady water flow is coming out of the FLUSPY signaling the motor is pumping water through the system. Listen for any unusual sounds being made by the motor, which could suggest something is caught in the trunk line.
  2. Platform- Make a visual inspection to verify the platform, doors, locks, lines, bumpers (if present), and electrical plug have no damage to them. 
  3. Lines- Check to see if the lines attached to the FLUPSY look secure.

If you notice any problems with the above call Rachael Patane at 631-381-5944 and email [email protected] immediately so the problem can be remedied quickly. Please send pictures if possible.

**Do not walk on the FLUPSY alone. All visual inspection protocol can be carried out from the dock. 

You may only access the floating platform when accompanied by a LISRP Field Technician. **

Weekly/Bi-Weekly Unit Maintenance: 2-4 hours per Maintenance Day

The following details weekly/bi-weekly cleaning and FLUPSY maintenance that will be performed. A LISRP Field Technician will be present to oversee and conduct all cleaning activities, but Lead Volunteers and additional Volunteers can assist while under direct supervision of LISRP staff.

  1. Barrels– Clean out/wash down the inside and outside of the barrels to remove any fouling that has occurred.
  2. Snout/Popcorn Screen– Clean out/scrub the inside of the snout to remove any fouling that has occurred. Rinse popcorn screen thoroughly.
  3. Mesh- Scrub mesh clean. If mesh is clogged it will reduce flow which with add strain to motor and prevent clams from getting necessary nutrients.
  4. *Sieving/Measuring- Sort clams based on size with corresponding sieves and re-assign to new barrels mesh sizes if necessary.
  5. Platform– Rise off the sides of the platform if dirty/fouled.

Depending on the location of the unit, FLUPSYs will be cleaned once or multiple times per week. *As the growing season gets underway we will also need additional help to measure and sieve the shellfish to make sure optimal growth is occurring. Rachael will inform you as these dates are scheduled, since it will vary based on how fast the shellfish are growing.

If you are interested in joining the volunteer maintenance team, contact:

Rachael Patane
Field Technician/Volunteer Coordinator
Long Island Shellfish Restoration
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County
3690 Cedar Beach Rd, Southold, NY 11971
Cell (631) 381-5944
Office (631) 852-8660 ext. 37
[email protected]

or register at The Shellfish Restoration Project’s website, embedded here:

https://lishellfishrestorationproject.org/

Let’s see how many clams we can plant; every clam helps to filter the bay and make it cleaner. They also happen to be delicious!

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