Chesapeake Bay News

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued a reminder to Marylanders that new sanctuaries are in effect for this year’s oyster season, which begins October 1. According the agency, Natural Resources Police (NRP) officers will be out on the water, patrolling sanctuaries and stepping up enforcement.

The Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development plan increases Maryland’s network of oyster sanctuaries from 9 percent to 24 percent of remaining quality habitat; increases areas open to leasing for oyster aquaculture and streamlines the permitting process; and maintains 76 percent of the Bay’s remaining quality oyster habitat for a more targeted, sustainable, and scientifically managed public oyster fishery.

In addition to any points assigned to the license, conviction of harvesting oysters from a leased area, an oyster sanctuary, oyster reserve, or area closed for public health will result in suspension of a person’s tidal fish license or authorization for up to 365 days during the oyster harvest season.

To mitigate short-term economic impacts to the industry, DNR is developing watermen work programs to facilitate restoration efforts. Funding for these efforts comes from $15 million of federal blue crab fishery disaster money and state capital funds. Watermen assisted DNR in rehabilitating oyster bar habitat and retrieving ghost (abandoned) crab pots this past winter. Additional oyster bar rehabilitation work will be available for watermen this winter.

source: MD DNR

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) have investigated several reports of oyster poaching, which resulted in charges.

On December 2, 2009 in Dorchester County, the NRP charged an individual with harvesting oysters within an oyster sanctuary.

On November 24, 2009 in Somerset County, the NRP charged  and individual with harvesting oysters within an oyster sanctuary.

Oyster Sanctuaries are protected areas for the propagation of oysters and do not allow the harvesting of oysters within the marked boundaries.

Recently, Governor Martin O’Malley released the details of Maryland’s Proposed Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development Plan, a new multi-faceted effort to rebuild Maryland’s decimated native oyster population. The plan will build on efforts expand oyster sanctuaries increase aquaculture leasing opportunities, while maintaining a more targeted, scientifically managed public fishery.

As part of the plan, DNR is undertaking a number of enforcement reforms, among them working with federal partners to install a network of radars and cameras that will help the NRP monitor oyster sanctuaries and prevent poaching.

“Our native oyster is part of the public trust,” said Governor Martin O’Malley, “and we have a clear and urgent responsibility to restore and protect this iconic species for future generations,” said Governor O’Malley.

source: DNR press release