Oyster Population In Protected Areas Of Chesapeake Shows Renewal Signs

"Maryland’s ravaged Chesapeake Bay oyster population shows signs of revival inside the state-created sanctuaries that have been off-limits to harvesting for the past decade, according to a report from the Department of Natural Resources.

Oysters in many of the protected areas are larger and more abundant and show a greater ability to reproduce. The bivalves also give signs that they may eventually regain their critical environmental role of consuming algae and filtering certain pollutants from bay waters.

But the detailed 900-page study, released late Sunday, said it was too early to conclude that efforts to restore oysters — reduced to an estimated 1 percent of historic levels by disease and overfishing — are a success."

Bill Turque reports for the Washington Post August 1, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Review Finds Maryland Oysters Thriving In Sanctuaries, Not So Much Elsewhere" (Bay Journal)

"Scientists Hunt For The Mystery Killer Wiping Out Baby Oysters At Hatcheries" (Mobile Press-Register)