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Kenny Fletcher | Recycled Oyster Shells
Maryland 2025 - The Chesapeake Bay Program announced the expected completion of one of the Bay’s most successful recovery efforts to date: fully restoring oyster habitat in 10 tributaries in Maryland and Virginia by 2025.
This announcement comes as partners prepare to plant the final few acres of oyster reef in the last targeted tributary—the Manokin River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Other tributaries already fully restored in Maryland include Harris Creek, the Little Choptank, Tred Avon, and St. Mary's rivers, and in Virginia the Lafayette, Piankatank, Great Wicomico, Lynnhaven, Lower York, and Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth rivers.
The Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River is considered Virginia’s sixth ‘bonus’ tributary, bringing the total to 11 rivers restored, exceeding the initial goal. At more than 2,200 acres of habitat restored, this effort is considered the largest oyster restoration initiative in the world, drawing practitioners from across the globe to learn from oyster recovery efforts in Chesapeake Bay. Additionally, the vast majority of reefs are meeting or greatly exceeding goals for oyster abundance.
Oysters are the bedrock of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, naturally filtering the water and providing habitat for hundreds of other species. The goal to fully restore oyster habitat in these tributaries was first included in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement—the joint federal and state plan to restore the Bay. As we approach the current Bay Agreement’s 2025 deadline, the Bay partnership is updating the agreement to look toward the future, including setting new goals for large scale oyster restoration.
Recognizing the incredible success of this effort and need for continued momentum, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) urges partners to accelerate the scale and pace of oyster restoration. Specifically, CBF believes that we can restore an additional 2,400 acres of oyster sanctuary reef by 2035. The current draft agreement calls for 1,800 additional acres of oyster reef habitat, with no specified deadline.
The Bay Program is currently accepting public comments through September 1 on the updated Bay Agreement draft. CBF will be calling for more clearly defined targets, including for habitat restoration and pollution reduction, and for the agreement to set a uniform 2035 deadline across all goals for stronger accountability. People who live in the Bay watershed, care about its health, and want continued investment in oyster restoration should make their voices heard here.
CBF Maryland Executive Director, Allison Colden, issued the following statement:
“Large scale oyster restoration is working. In Maryland alone, the oyster population has tripled since 2005. And Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources has already started its work toward the next goal, by committing to restore three additional oyster sanctuaries in the state. Because of the momentum and proven success behind this work, restoring an additional 2,400 acres of oyster habitat by 2035 is an ambitious, yet attainable, goal.”
CBF Virginia Executive Director, Chris Moore, issued the following statement:
“This oyster restoration success is a testament to years of dedicated work, scientific innovation, resource allocation, and unwavering partnership. The Chesapeake Bay is proud to be home to one of the most successful examples of oyster restoration in the world. Now it’s time to keep the momentum going, not only for the health of our waterways but for the health of people, other species, and local economies.”
CBF Senior Policy Director Keisha Sedlacek issued the following statement:
“Exceeding the oyster restoration goals in the current Bay Agreement is a testament to the power of the federal/state partnership and following a shared plan to save the Bay. To build on that success, it is critical that the next Bay Agreement include clearly defined targets for every goal—from water quality to oyster restoration—with a hard deadline of 2035. It must also recognize the impact climate change will have on how and where we do our work. With the revised agreement, we can lay out an ambitious plan that will deliver on the promise of clean water for the Bay, the people who love it, and future generations.”
Valerie DiMarzio | Maryland Communications & Media Relations Manager, CBF | vdimarzio@cbf.org | 443-482-2023
