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April 25, 2006

RWU breaks ground to expand shellfish hatchery

BRISTOL -- Roger Williams University broke ground today on a facility that would double the capacity of the state's only shellfish hatchery.

The improvements are part of the school's effort to build a new $3 million marine science building.

The shellfish hatchery incubates millions of oysters each year before releasing them into Narragansett Bay, helping to bolster native oyster beds depleted by pollution and overfishing.

The expansion will be partly financed by an unusual donation -- a 175-foot cruise ship.

Shipbuilder Luther Blount is donating the ship to three schools once the vessel is retired this fall. Roger Williams University, Rhode Island College and the Wentworth Institute of Technology plan to split the proceeds from the sale.

The two-story, 12,000-square-foot marine science building will be named the Luther Blount Shellfish Hatchery and Oyster Restoration Center and is expected to be completed by fall 2007.

-- The Associated Press contributed to this report

Posted by Steve Peoples  at 5:06 PM | Permalink

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