SPAT Membership

The SPAT Program is operated from the Marine Center in Southold. If you are a member or want to become one, please make sure we have your application, and risk acknowledgement waiver.

SPAT hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings between 8:00 a.m. - noon. 

Please sign up for the email (right sidebar), to stay updated.

Our facility is closed on the weekends! SPAT starts up in late spring and runs until about Thanksgiving time, when you can over-winter your oysters. 

After many exciting years of SPAT (launched in 2000), we continue to open our doors to the community for new membership. We invite you to join us in our 20th year of creating a model for our community based shellfish restoration effort.

• Learn to culture, plant and monitor seed oysters, clams and scallops in your own shellfish "garden".
• Keep 100% of your garden harvest for personal use. Sorry, SELLING IS PROHIBITED.
• Participate in monthly seminars to learn more about local marine environment and the role you can play in your community.
• Volunteer for hands-on operations Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. - noon.
• Volunteer to assist in administrative tasks to support the SPAT program.

All  volunteer forms can be either emailed to: hr-ccesuffolk@cornell.edu

or mailed to: 423 Griffing Avenue, Suite 100, Riverhead, New York 11901-3071

*Please note that the submit button on the form is for the background check - not the application. 

Master SPAT Shellfish Gardener - Cedar Beach Creek ($150/yr.)

Entitles you to one year of admission to monthly workshops, mailings on SPAT activities, training and use of aquaculture gear, training in the Community Hatchery/Nursery operations, access to your shellfish garden at Cedar Beach including 1000 oyster seed. *The Marine Center is closed Saturday & Sunday to SPAT - there are no exceptions*.

Ambassador SPAT Shellfish Gardener - At your own and approved site* ($250/1st year - Renewal fee $155/yr.)

Homeowners wishing to grow oysters at their own dock through our program need to secure a  License to Collect and Possess from the DEC. Once you receive your license, you can mail a copy along with your SPAT application and you can receive your 1,000 oyster seed  (application found here). The waters must be certified "open"  to be allowed to grow,  (see map here). All seed, equipment and training is included. *Must have dock or bulkhead to secure gear to*. DEC permit is valid for 1 year and must be renewed annually. Renewals need annual report found here.

*Available only in certified waters, click here to check your address..

Sustaining SPAT Member ($100)

Entitles you to attend workshops and all SPAT activities and mailings. This type of membership allows you to participate in the program and be part of the effort to restore shellfish without the responsibility of tending 1000 oysters.

SPAT Corporate Sponsors ($500 and up)

Entitles sponsors to all benefits of Master and Ambassador Shellfish Gardeners, at either their own site or at Cedar Beach, plus promotional opportunities for their business. Ongoing sponsorships will boost the SPAT program immensely by providing the needed matching local support required by many public granting agencies and foundations.

Community Oyster Garden, Tiana Bay - Hampton Bays

The Southampton Town Parks & Recreation Department is dedicated to offering quality recreation programming and first-class park and beach facilities for their many residents and visitors.

http://www.southamptonrecreation.net/

• Location: Tiana Bayside Rec. Facility
• Ages: 12 and over
• Fee: Res: $200.00 (for 17 sessions)
• Information Session: Tuesday, June 21 - 6:00 p.m.
• Workshop: Tuesdays, July 5, 12, 19, 26, September 6 & 20 8:30am to 12pm. October 18 - 8:30 a.m. - Noon
• Overwintering and lecture: Tuesday, October 11 (During workshop)
• Material Cost $20 at site
• Dates: 06/22/2022 - 10/18/2022
• Day/Time: Tue 8:30AM - 8:00PM

Learn how to grow oysters as part of an established East End oyster restoration initiative administered by Cornell Cooperative Extension. For a fee of $200 you will be receive gear and training lessons along with 1,000 baby oysters that will help you on your way to becoming a proficient Aquaculturalist. 

Workshops will include life history, culture techniques, culinary tips, maintenance of gardens and all of the things you always wanted to know about shellfish but were afraid to ask. Kim will be at Tiana most Tuesdays from 8am-12pm to assist throughout the summer and fall.

Once fully grown, all the oysters can either be put back into the bay or half can be kept for consumption. Workshops will include life history, culture techniques, culinary tips, maintenance of gardens and all of the things you always wanted to know about shellfish but were afraid to ask. You must register for this each year. PARTICIPANTS MUST BE PREPARED TO GET WET & SOMEWHAT FOULED.

If you have been previously in this program, you must register for this program again to keep your oysters at this location. If you would like to finish growing your oysters, you can do so at the marine center in Southold.

For 2022, Tiana growers are limited to 100. Join directly through the  Southampton Town Parks & Recreation Department, 6 Newtown Rd., Hampton Bays:

All Contributions to the SPAT program are always welcome and are fully tax deductible.

Join us in a learning experience, be part of our community effort and BRING BACK shellfish to our bays.

For additional information, contact: Kim Tetrault (kwt4@cornell.edu)

If you would like to make a donation to SPAT:  Printable Donation Form or Online Donation Form. Make sure you click on 'Marine', then enter 'SPAT Program' in the special instructions.

Last updated June 30, 2022