A unique community involvement project to help restore the oyster population in the Patuxent River and feeder creeks was launched last week by the Coastal Conservation Association Maryland’s (CCA MD) Patuxent River Chapter.
The three-prong plan brings together recreational anglers, aqua culturists, and community volunteers to grow oysters, the Chesapeake Bay’s primary filtering organism.
“While this project is not a single solution to restore oysters and the health of the Chesapeake, we do believe it’s a significant step to restore oysters in one area of the Bay with the potential to be used in other areas,” said Robert Glenn, CCA MD executive director.
“Oysters are at an all-time low in the Chesapeake watershed,” pointed out Scott McGuire, president of CCA MD’s Patuxent River Chapter. “They are an invaluable resource to the health of our Bay, with the potential of a single oyster filtering 50 to 55 gallons of water each and every day. To not support native oysters in the Chesapeake is a criminal act against a healthy Bay.”
At a news conference last week, an agreement was signed between CCA MD, Circle C Oyster Ranch and St. Thomas Creek Oyster Company to place 25,000 oysters on floats at St. Thomas Creek Oyster Company where they will grow for two years before being transferred to a permanent oyster sanctuary on the Patuxent River.
In addition to raising these 25,000 oysters, other phases of the project include encouraging waterfront homeowners to raise oysters and publishing a manual on how this project can be replicated to allow other organizations and individuals to raise oysters throughout the Chesapeake watershed.
The Patuxent River Chapter is providing volunteers to manage the project, and Circle C Oyster Ranch, under the leadership of Rich Pelz, is providing training and materials.
“One of the best features of this project is that it will show people that they can make a difference in the health of the Bay by raising oysters at their pier,” said Pelz. “With the number of individuals who own waterfront property with piers, there’s the potential of having an impact throughout the Chesapeake.”
“One of the unique features of this project is that it brings together volunteers who can make a difference,” indicated McGuire. “The Chesapeake belongs to all of us and is one of the most important resources in Maryland. Through oyster restoration anyone can play a part in improving our Bay’s health.”
The first phase of this project—growing the 25,000 donated oysters on St. Thomas Creek—involves more than 16 Patuxent River Chapter members who have refurbished 25 floats that were donated by Pelz to house the oysters. The 10-foot floats, constructed of PCV frames with five bags suspended from each, will house the oysters until they reach adult size. They will then be transferred to a sanctuary on the Patuxent to continue their role of filtering water. CCA MD volunteers will be responsible for turning the floats every three weeks to maintain a healthy environment for the oysters.
The second phase includes helping pier owners learn how to raise oysters. CCA MD is hosting a meeting in mid-April with waterfront homeowners on Hellen Creek in Calvert County under the leadership of Chris Moe, a CCA MD member who will serve as “Creek Captain” for the project on Hellen Creek. Residents will be invited to grow oysters