From the Field: A glimpse into a restored Chesapeake oyster reef

The Paynter Lab at the University of Maryland conducts oyster reef surveys three years after restored reefs are planted with baby oysters, known as spat.
In 2010, Chesapeake Bay Program partners including the Army Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) began a large-scale, tributary-based restoration effort to build, seed and monitor oyster reefs.
The 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement calls for oysters to be restored in ten tributaries-five in Maryland and five in Virginia-by 2025.
ORP seeded Harris Creek from 2011 to 2015, mostly with spat from Horn Point Oyster Hatchery in Cambridge, Md., with additional spat from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. A total of roughly 350 acres received two billion oysters, making Harris Creek one of the largest oyster restoration projects in the world.
Video: Will Parson/Chesapeake Bay Program
Photos: Norfolk Public Library and New York Public Library

[@stephenarmiger8343]

I worked for Baltimore County Environmental Protection and ( what was then called ) Resource Management from 1975 ( Baltimore County Health Department back then) until 2000 when I moved to Montana and began working for the Bureau of Land Management. So wonderful to see all the work being accomplished. Just visited a Baltimore County video, but the comments were turned off. That video only had 491 views. This one has more. It would be good to get wider viewing, but I don't know how that happens. Just grateful for this and the work you folks are doing. My son and grandchildren still live in the area. I occasionally get to go sailing.

[@naturaltraditionalculture9767]

awesome video friend, like it & happy to support you.
Thanks for share this video.

[@uckyl13]

Nice wotk pls keep it up...

[@leaderofthepack8928]

Save the Chesapeake bay

[@turkeydinnerchewie2499]

Do you think freshwater mussels have any potential to improve conditions for oysters if the mussels are brought back to their past abundance? I’ve worked with both, but I’ve never really gotten a straight answer from anyone

[@williams732]

Just put a stop to oyster harvestinh and i have my own oyster reef

[@hms7469]

Look how the oyster bar is sinking in the bottom. Sad!

[@brandonmurphy4657]

The oyster bars near harris creek that get worked have more oysters by 300 pct. This cost 30plus million dollars and has 300 pct less than the public bottom that cost $0

[@katiel1979]

So you think the project is bad ? I’m confused

[@nativevirginian8344]

Yes in another video a waterman said these bars should be opened up at peak times like the holidays.

[@williams732]

God damn stop harvesting oysters just stop do you want are bay to be toxic to human and 🐟 😤

[@brandonmurphy4657]

Help the fisheries ? Sure take the most productive bottom away from waterman & you want to help . Get outta here with the bs