Maryland Proves Oyster Beds Can Be Rebuilt But the Process Is Expensive and Shell Cultch Is Scarce
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Times-Tribune] By Karl Blankenship - October 19, 2015 -
With construction completed at Harris Creek, a tidewater creek near the mouth of Maryland's Choptank River, biologists have proved they can build massive oyster reefs unimaginable a few years ago.
Now, the question is: Can they complete nine more in the next decade to meet the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement goal of restoring oyster populations in 10 tributaries by 2025? "We now know we can do at least one, and that one was pretty big," said Stephanie Westby, oyster project coordinator with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Chesapeake Bay Office.
"I think it is certainly feasible to get to 10 by 2025. But we are going to need to speed up to get there.&
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