GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES MARYLAND NATIVE OYSTER SURVIVAL RATE HIGHEST SINCE 1985

Governor proposes $8 million capital investment for oyster restoration

Oyster disease levels lowest on record

ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 13, 2012) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced another landmark in the State’s ongoing efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay’s native oyster population. Results of Maryland’s 2011 Fall Oyster Survey show the highest survival rate for oysters since 1985. The 92 percent survival rate — the percentage of oysters found alive in a sample — builds upon last year’s strong spatset (number of baby oysters), which was the highest since 1997.

“Although our fight to restore a thriving oyster population to the Chesapeake Bay is far from over, our continued commitment to renewing this iconic species has begun to pay off,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “Through balanced investments in aquaculture, sanctuaries, stewardship and enforcement, our native oyster is coming back. Together, we can continue to create jobs and support our local economies while returning our native oyster to healthy, sustainable levels.”

In one of the longest running resource-monitoring programs in the world, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its predecessor agencies have monitored the status of the State’s oyster population via annual field surveys since 1939. The survey tracks reproduction levels, disease levels and annual mortality rates, and offers a window into future population levels.

“The high survival of young oysters from 2010’s record spatset is an immediate asset to Maryland’s expanded sanctuary program,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “As these oysters grow and reproduce, they are supporting expanded populations in sanctuaries, public fishery areas and aquaculture operations.”

In his proposed FY2013 budget, Governor O’Malley has proposed a $7.5 million capital investment in oyster bar restoration in Harris Creek in Talbot County and the Little Choptank River in Dorchester County, two of the State’s new sanctuaries, where conditions are favorable for reproduction. The Governor has also proposed an additional $500,000 for aquaculture infrastructure improvements, which will include low-cost loans through the Maryland Agricultural and Resource Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBDICO) for entrepreneurial watermen and other citizens who want to grow oysters.