We have improved the health of the rivers and streams that run into the Bay, planted a record 415,000 acres of cover crops, preserved more than 140,000 acres of open space and agricultural land, and built the most productive oyster hatchery in the world.
As a result of our efforts, the iconic Maryland blue crab is coming back. And our native oysters—an irreplaceable part of a health Bay ecosystem—are surviving at rates not seen in 27 years.
Our efforts are undermined when poachers loot our waters. That’s why the role of the Natural Resources Police is so vital.
On Wednesday, our Natural Resources Police stopped a tractor-trailer headed to a Virginia processing plant with 188 bushels of oysters—most of them undersized and illegal. This is one of the largest oyster poaching cases in recent years, and illustrates the threat that our fisheries, and our investments, face.
Fifty bushels of undersized oysters were returned to an Eastern Shore sanctuary where they will grow to legal size.
The Administration’s 2010 Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development Plan contains a robust enforcement component to protect the resource, habitat and sanctuaries. Thanks to new tools like the Maritime Law Enforcement Information Network, officers are able to track vessels on the Bay. This new system of radar units and cameras has already been used to make several oyster poaching cases this season.
All those who live and work near the Chesapeake owe thanks to our Natural Resources Police for protecting and preserving the waters we love.
I'll stop and thank our DNR for this fantastic save of our live oyster population! Nice going, gentlemen! Returning these oysters to the bay is paramount to keeping our fishery productive!
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