Events

For more events, please see the Calendar.

Sunday, January 19, at Norwalk Yacht Club, at 5:00 pm – Mark Dixon on Challenges and Opportunities for Shellfish Farming in a Changing Environment. Click here.
Questions? Please email Mark Bodian

Tuesday, February 4 OR Wednesday, February 5, at Norwalk Yacht Club – TWO WAYS TO EARN THE CT BOATING LICENSE. Click here.
Questions? Please email Frank Kemp.

Challenges and Opportunities for Shellfish Farming in a Changing Environment
Aquaculture Research at NOAA Fisheries in Milford CT

Sunday evening, January 19th, 5pm at Norwalk Yacht Club, Norwalk

Questions? Please email Mark Bodian

Mark Dixon

The primary focus of research at the NOAA Fisheries lab in Milford CT is shellfish aquaculture. The lab has developed techniques that are used worldwide and continues to be at the forefront of research. Mark works with several teams at the lab on research projects designed to understand how shellfish aquaculture can continue to thrive in changing environments and challenging economic times. Mark is also a NOAA Science Diver and manages the lab's Microalgal Mass Culture Room.

Mark will talk about the history of shellfish aquaculture research at the NOAA Fisheries lab in Milford CT, introduce the shellfish industry in the region, and talk about how current research at the lab is helping the industry prepare for changes in the environment. There will be plenty of time for questions and discussions.

Presenter: Mark Dixon, Biological Science Technician, NOAA Fisheries, Milford CT

Mark is a graduate of Stockton State College, NJ, 1987: B.S. Biology and B.A. Education, University of Connecticut, 1994, M.S. Oceanography

His current research is centered on understanding trophic interactions and energy flow in shellfish aquaculture settings. Long-standing laboratory research has recently been expanded to include in-situ field research looking at the interactions of shellfish aquaculture with the local environment. There is also interest in understanding the role shellfish aquaculture might play in nutrient bioextraction. Recent field projects have been completed in Long Island Sound, coastal Massachusetts, and waters offshore of California.

TWO WAYS TO EARN THE CT BOATING LICENSE

Sail      Power

Boaters now have a choice between two courses to earn their CT Boating License (Safe Boating Certificate) – a short two session course, or a full series of six classes that include more in-depth coverage of useful boating techniques.

The short course will start Tuesday, Feb 4. The full class will start Wednesday, Feb 5. The courses will be presented at Darien’s Noroton Yacht Club by the Darien Sail & Power Squadron, starting at 7:00pm.

The short Course will meet on two Tuesday evenings. It will cover basic topics such as boating’s rules of the road, CT regulations, and essentials of good seamanship.

The short course is ideal for students who “just need the license.” For example: experienced boaters who have moved to CT with boating credentials from other states, young people who need the CT License for summer jobs, or adults who have boating experience yet need to catch-up with the CT License.

The full course, also qualifying for the CT Boating License, will meet on six Wednesday evenings, covering all the material in the Short Course, plus: the use of marine charts, plotting courses and distances to supplement a GPS, hands-on time with Marine VHF Radios, detailed discussion of anchoring tips and techniques, practical experience with ropes (“lines” when on a boat) and essential knots, as well as useful local knowledge of nearby destinations and anchorages.

The full course is the traditional course that has been presented by the Darien Sail & Power Squadron for many years. It is ideal for students with enough time to go into depth on the above topics, experience hands-on exercises with training aids, and generally “learn something about boating” in addition to the CT regulations.

The fee for either course is $150, which includes all supplies and a year’s membership in the Squadron. Registration for either of the courses is available at dspsct.org. There is a significant discount for multiple members of the same household. Questions and further information is available by emailing DSPSCt@gmail.com