Baltimore Port Alliance members have joined a multi-organizational effort to support oyster restoration in Baltimore harbor and the Patapsco River.
In October 2024, with support from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), members of Vane Brothers’ Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) team installed four oyster-growing cages along the Vane Brothers Company pier on the Patapsco River.
Baltimore Port Alliance member, Ports America Chesapeake (PAC) is also participating in the program for the first time. PAC expects to start out with four oyster cages initially and then double the number of cages next season.
The oyster cages provide protection for the spat until they grow large enough for relocation. Eventually, oysters from the cages will be transferred to an oyster sanctuary reef at Fort Carroll, where six million oysters have been planted over the past six years. A single adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day.
The Great Baltimore Oyster Project is a community based oyster restoration effort that has grown over 1.3 million spat-on-shell in the Baltimore Harbor.
The project includes a collaboration of the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, local resident volunteers, Baltimore-based businesses, and partner organizations.
sources: Maryland Port Administration ECOPort Newsletter, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore
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