2011 Maryland Fall Oyster Survey

Results of Maryland’s 2011 Fall Oyster Survey show the highest survival rate for oysters since 1985. The survey recorded a 92 percent survival rate (percentage of oysters found alive per sample), which was the highest since 1997.

During the 2-month sampling assessment, which concluded on November 21, 263 oyster bars and 343 samples throughout the Bay and its tributaries were evaluated. Analyses of disease samples and field data were completed in February.

In one of the longest running resource-monitoring programs in the world, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its predecessor agencies have monitored the status of the State’s oyster population via annual field surveys since 1939. The survey tracks reproduction levels, disease levels and annual mortality rates, and offers a window into future population levels.

“The high survival of young oysters from 2010’s record spatset is an immediate asset to Maryland’s expanded sanctuary program,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “As these oysters grow and reproduce, they are supporting expanded populations in sanctuaries, public fishery areas and aquaculture operations.”

In his proposed FY2013 budget, Governor O’Malley has proposed a $7.5 million capital investment in oyster bar restoration in Harris Creek in Talbot County and the Little Choptank River in Dorchester County, two of the State’s new sanctuaries, where conditions are favorable for reproduction.

The Governor has also proposed an additional $500,000 for aquaculture infrastructure improvements, which will include low-cost loans through the Maryland Agricultural and Resource Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBDICO) for entrepreneurial watermen and other citizens who want to grow oysters.

Since the 2010 implementation of the Oyster Recovery Plan, 28 new oyster farming leases have been approved for more than 20 individuals on about 650 acres.  More than half of these entrepreneurs are watermen.  An additional 52 lease applications covering 620 acres are currently being processed.

source: MD DNR