WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) spoke in support of a continued funding commitment for the Milford Lab in Milford, Connecticut at a high-profile hearing of the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. The Committee is currently debating funding levels for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) which provides $4 million annually to the Milford Lab to conduct aquaculture research in Connecticut. Their research focuses on the Northeastern shellfish industry – an industry that generates $30 million for Connecticut’s economy and supports over 300 jobs.


“The Milford Lab is one of the few facilities that house NOAA’s critical shellfish research,” said Murphy. “As changes in Long Island Sound’s environment have battered our stocks of everything from lobsters to oysters, we need to invest in groundbreaking research more than ever. That’s why I called on Secretary Pritzker and met with NOAA leaders to ensure a strong and dedicated commitment to this aquaculture research in Connecticut. I’ll continue to use my seat on the Appropriations Committee to fight for Connecticut’s funding priorities, like the unique aquaculture research happening in Milford.”


To watch the exchange, click here.