Floating Shellfish Cages Fox Point

The NH Fish & Game Dept has received their first of what could be many floating oyster cage applications at Fox Point.  The Selectmen have submitted a letter in opposition. See it attached.

The 4 major points they are concerned with are:

1. Impact on navigation- residents in boats would no longer be able to run them easily around the Point.

2. Recreational uses such as water skiing and tubing, kayaking, trawling for fish and paddle boarding will not be possible as we lose 2 acres of waterfront to the floating shellfish cages forcing everyone out into the dangerous currents of navigational channel.

3. Viewshed and property values will decline- As we look out from our beloved Fox Point park, instead of seeing a clear water view, it will be littered with a view of floating shellfish cages.  Properties with water views will decline in value as buyers take in the scene of hundreds of unsightly floating cages.

4. Bird concentrations on such floating apparatus will pose a threat to water and oyster quality.

If you would like to object to this proposal, comments are being accepted by Fish & Game until Tuesday, May 7th at this email address: comments@wildlife.nh.gov