Believing that the state of the wild oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay needs attention, the Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) has asked the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to take five steps to improve the ecological and economic role of oysters.
Among the recommendations send to DNR Secretary Mark Belton, CCA MD is calling for an improved Fisheries Management Plan (FMP) for oysters, continued investment in oyster sanctuaries, better data for decision-making, and support for aquaculture. It also questions the increase in power dredging of oyster bars. The recommendations are presented in a letter to DNR Secretary Mark Belton delivered this week.
“CCA Maryland believes in managing for an abundance of our natural resources for the benefit of all,” the letter reads. “We simply seek a management system that provides more than we have now.”
While Maryland currently has a FMP for oysters, CCA MD believes the plan is lacking in ecosystem based reference points or harvest controls based on the actual biomass of oysters.
CCA MD is asking for a FMP that focuses on long term goals and targets.
Maryland has a great deal of knowledge about oysters, the letter contends. However, only recently has this expertise be used in developing the oyster FMP.
Oyster sanctuaries have been a major success in Maryland and should be continued to be protected and supported, according to CCA MD.
“Science has shown that one average oyster can filter fifty gallons of water a day, yet we often forget that as an oyster grows larger, its filtering capabilities increase exponentially. Since there is a grave concern about water quality by all Marylanders, it is important that we maintain our sanctuaries and work to maximize their ability to filter the waters of the bay.”
Sanctuaries also have the greatest potential to house mature oysters, allowing scientists to trace the impact of disease, larvae movement, and other factors crucial to oysters.
While the Maryland Bay Bottom Survey has been a suitable baseline for management decisions in the past, CCA MD believes a “more accurate and modern ” survey of viable bottom should be used for future planning.
Cooperation is another key to effective data collection.
“DNR, the oyster industry, recreational fishermen, another stakeholder groups all have a great deal of information which can add to the conversion of proper oyster management in the future for Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay,” letter continues. “Cooperation, instead of confrontation is the only way that a sustainable fishery can be achieved.”
Aquaculture has the greatest potential for developing a “reliable, sustainable, and expandable oyster industry,” according to CCA MD.
“Oyster farming provides the ecological benefits that come from a larger oyster population in the water, and will provide an added economic benefit for Maryland,” the letter reads. The permitting and leasing processes have improved in recent years and efforts should continue to provide a streamlined yet thorough approval process.”
CCA MD also questions the value of power dredging.
“CCA Maryland has grave concerns about the increase in power dredging which has occurred in recent years. According to DNR records, in 2000 there were nineteen boats power dredging in the Chesapeake Bay. In 2015, there are 800.
“It is a widely shared belief within the oyster industry that power dredging benefits oyster bars by cleaning the bottom and turning over the existing shell and oysters to remove silt,” CCA MD indicates in the letter.
“Unfortunately, the story isn’t as simple as some make it seem. Recent research into power dredging on oyster bars in the Upper Bay has revealed no benefit to the practice.”
The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) is one of 18 state chapters of the Coastal Conservation Association, which has 100,000 members nationally. CCA MD is an organization of recreational anglers fighting for Maryland’s marine resources and believing the sustainability of the resource must be the priority in any fishery management decision.