Chesapeake Bay Oysters
Oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay have experienced a severe decline beginning in the late 1800’s. Today, oyster population levels and biomass are less than 1 percent of historic levels. This decline has been primarily due to overharvesting, parasitic diseases, and loss of habitat.
Oysters are a keystone species in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Oysters are filter feeders and have the potential to significantly increase water quality by removing suspended solids, organic particles, and phytoplankton from the water, which directly increases water clarity and quality. They also provide important structure and habitat in the form of oyster reefs, which attract a wide variety of fish species and other aquatic life.
The purposes of the Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration project are to restore oyster habitat and populations to help meet the goal of restoring 20 tributaries in the Chesapeake Bay by 2025 as established in Executive Order 13508. To achieve this goal, oyster habitat must be protected and restored, and populations of oysters must increase substantially.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been actively involved in oyster restoration in the Chesapeake Bay since 1996. Since 2001, sanctuaries have been constructed in the Rappahannock River, Tangier/Pocomoke Sound, Great Wicomico River, and the Lynnhaven River.
On-going and upcoming efforts include surveying of fossil shell resources, modeling to determine the environmental benefits of rotational harvest management regimes, monitoring of previously constructed oyster reefs, rehabilitation of existing reefs in the Great Wicomico, and pre-construction activities for oyster restoration in other Virginia tributaries.
Updated: 08-Nov-2011