CAMBRIDGE, Md. - A new record has been set for the Chesapeake Bay.
Over 1.7 Billion juvenile oysters or spat on shell were planted just this year.
Governor's says, "The milestone means that the state has planted almost 7 billion oysters since launching its large-scale oyster restoration strategy in 2014 with the help of numerous partners."
This milestone was reached through several environmental organizations, growing facilities, and watermen who work to grow and plant the juvenile oysters or spat-on-shell within the bay. Groups like these say this will help the bay's ecology for years to come.
Oysters are natural filter for the water and a livelihood for watermen on the Chesapeake. A record like this is a big deal for someone like Nick Hargrove who not only helped to plant the spat-on-shell within the public fishery but also works the waters.
"The public fishery, alone, was able to produce 450 million spat on shell. Those go back on public bars which will then in the later years will be worked by the commercial watermen and it will be put right back in to the local economy," says Hargrove.
The Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge was a big help with this milestone. They grow they're own larvae and spat on shell to be planted throughout the tributaries in the bay.
Hatchery manager Stephanie Alexander says, "Oyster restoration is definitely a team effort." We try to produce as many as we can every year. 2023 just happened to be a perfect year for us." She added, "So in 2023, our major focus was on the Manokin river that is the final tributary that was given to the State of Maryland to restore by 2025. The other four we have done have been Harris Creek, Little Choptank, Tred Avon, and the St. Mary's."
The Oyster Recovery Partnership says this was a long time coming.
Executive Director Ward Slacum says, "This accomplishment is something that we have been working towards for the past decade."
A milestone helping to clean the bay for years to come.
