CHESAPEAKE, Va. — Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration is on track to meet 2025 goals, officials announced.
The Chesapeake Bay program aims to restore oyster reefs in 10 Chesapeake Bay tributaries and ensure their protection.
“Tributary-scale oyster restoration in the Chesapeake Bay shows how states and the federal government can work together to bring about major environmental improvements. The Bay’s oyster restoration efforts have coincided with favorable environmental conditions in the Bay region that has led to an increase in Maryland oyster reproduction in recent years and growing oyster harvests for watermen in the state. The future for eastern oysters in the Chesapeake Bay is brighter than it has been for decades and there’s no question that the tributary-scale restoration efforts have played an important role in improving the outlook for these iconic Bay bivalves,” Josh Kurtz, chair of the Chesapeake Bay Program Principals’ Staff Committee and Secretary said.
Eight out of the ten tributaries selected for restoration have been completed. The York River was celebrated as the eighth oyster restoration completed in April. The last two tributaries are the Manokin River in Maryland and the Lynnhaven River in Virginia.
"I am immensely proud of the partnership between the Virginia Marine Resources Commission Shellfish Management Division and the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office for their crucial role in advancing oyster restoration across these five Chesapeake Bay tributaries, most recently in the successful completion of the Lower York River Oyster Restoration project. This milestone not only fortifies Virginia's vital commercial fishery but also sets a national standard for sustainable coastal conservation. Our success with the largest alternative substrate planting project of the year showcases our dedication to science-driven management and public-private partnerships, significantly enhancing both our ecosystem and economy," Jamie L. Green, commissioner for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission said.
The major issues oyster reefs face are overharvesting, disease, drops in oyster population and poor water quality.
Oysters serve a vital role in the Chesapeake Bay by filtering water. They pump water through their gills and trap food particles, nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and chemical contaminants. They also protect shorelines from wave erosion.
Scientists developed a strategy to guide the process of constructing and seeding reefs.
The tributaries will also be monitored to evaluate their progress. The success of the restoration will be tracked by the number of new oysters, how many survived in the early stages of planting, natural mortality, disease status, growth, reproduction and shell accumulation.
Currently, the monitoring and evaluation phase is underway in several tributaries:
