In the past 100 years, the population of the native Virginia oyster (c. Virginica) has fallen dramatically, due to over-harvesting, disease and poor water quality. Now the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Norfolk District and its federal, state and local partners are preparing to embark on an ambitious project that aims to increase the population of native oysters in the Lynnhaven River.
The Plan
The project will involve the construction of approximately 30 acres of oyster reefs of various dimensions, combined with an aggressive oyster seeding strategy in the Lynnhaven River.
Construction of the reefs using fossilized oyster shell is expected to begin in fall 2007. The reefs will be seeded with wild stock Lynnhaven spat-on-shell oysters. The Corps anticipates that the first spat set will occur in 2008. The project will provide both ecological benefit and increased harvest on adjacent private leased grounds.
The Commonwealth of Virginia, as represented by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, is the non-federal sponsor for the project. Other partners include the City of Virginia Beach, Lynnhaven River Now, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and NOAA.
Why the Lynnhaven?
The Lynnhaven River is considered a prime spot for oyster restoration because it is a trap estuary with high salinity, had historically high populations of native oysters and has considerably higher oyster recruitment today than many other sites in the Chesapeake Bay. The project combines the latest techniques in restoration science with information gathered more than 100 years ago – Corps scientists used such tools as hydrodynamic modeling and maps and historical records of productive oyster grounds to determine the best sites for reef construction.
The Corps mission is ecosystem restoration. A successful project will enhance commercial oyster production on areas, public or private, that could be fished. While Corps constructed reefs will become sanctuaries where no oyster harvesting will be permitted, other types of activities, such as crabbing and fishing, will be allowed on the reefs. Locations and heights of the constructed reefs are not expected to interfere with navigation in the Lynnhaven River.
Norfolk District has been engaged in restoring the native oyster species since 2001 and has completed three projects to date – the Rappahannock River, Tangier/Pocomoke Sound and the Great Wicomico River.
