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MDanglerbart
08-02-2010, 11:15 AM
The final public meeting for the Oyster Recovery Plan is this Thursday in Wye Mills (August 5, Chesapeake College, Todd Performing Arts Center, Route 50 and Route 213, Wye Mills, MD 21679).

If you have been following this issue, it is DNR's plan to rebuild oyster stocks in the bay (http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/news/story.asp?story_id=71).

So finally there is a plan to actually do something for long term survival of oysters in the bay. As with just about everything DNR does, there is some pushback, this time from the watermen. They seem to think that they can manage the oyster population just fine, but with the Chesapeake's oysters hovering at an estimated 1% of the historical population, it is pretty apparent that something needs to be done. Anyone who remembers the rockfish moratorium can say that letting the species "crash" before implementing management strategies is just a bad idea. One thing is certain, if oyster bars are allowed to rebuild, fish habitat will improve, so anyone who fishes the bay will benefit. Just look at how productive the artificial reefs have become. So anyone who can make it to Wye Mills and wants to show support for the plan should go and make their voices heard. You can also send an email showing your support to:

fisheriespubliccomment@dnr.state.md.us
MdAngler
08-02-2010, 12:51 PM
Thanks for the heads up on this; from what I hear this is a very important meeting and as many recreational anglers as possible should come out to show their support. This could really help create some large sanctuaries in the bay which would benefit not only the oysters but all fish eventually.

Please try and make a point to get to Wye Mills this thursday!
Shawn Kimbro
08-02-2010, 01:07 PM
Except for those from the Bridge, every fishing report I've seen in the past two weeks has been over areas that were once huge oyster reefs. Now, most are vast areas of dead shells. Want more fish in the Chesapeake, then support more oysters.
Freebirdsportfishing
08-02-2010, 02:04 PM
Anyone who lives on the water should get involved. There is a program called Maryland grow oysters , where you grow oysters at your dock for seeding beds. I have 40 cages and spat coming in early September. Anyone in Queen Annes County that may be interested , let me know. This program is being setup thru Washington College Horn Point Lab.

Freebird Sportfishing
Guardian18
08-02-2010, 10:22 PM
I have 3000 oyster at the pier since 10/08 and they are doing great. I opened one of the float bags recently and the quater size oysters are now are 3+ inches.
ctb
08-03-2010, 04:24 PM
Is this the plan that includes destroying large sections of Man O War shoal in the upper bay - the largest such live bar in Maryland's portion of the bay? Nice job DNR. You're about to screw a a very important portion of the bay based on an unproven, flawed plan.
Shawn Kimbro
08-03-2010, 05:52 PM
Is this the plan that includes destroying large sections of Man O War shoal in the upper bay - the largest such live bar in Maryland's portion of the bay? Nice job DNR. You're about to screw a a very important portion of the bay based on an unproven, flawed plan.

No, fossil shell recovery from MOW is not included in the Oyster Recovery Plan. It is however a separate issue that deserves our concern.
Slim Shady
08-05-2010, 08:44 AM
It is hard to believe that the group who will benefit the most in the long run are fighting this. Very short sighted.
dragline
08-05-2010, 01:14 PM
It is hard to believe that the group who will benefit the most in the long run are fighting this. Very short sighted. true................ very very true
paxfish
08-06-2010, 04:54 AM
It's classic. They fought the changes in the crab regulations two years ago too. But the result is providing them a great harvest this year.

DNR and other fishery scientists know what to do to recover the oysters, just like they knew what to do with crabs. They need our support.
Patapsco Mike
08-06-2010, 09:39 AM
Many thanks to those of you who showed up last night. One hundred and fifty three people signed up, it was the biggest crowd of the 4 hearings by far. It was nice to have MSSA and CCA show up to offer their support. It takes real courage to stand up in front of a largely hostile and vocal crowd that opposes the plan and say "I support this."

Verbatim minutes will be available in 10 days or less, and I would encourage everyone to read them. It's a real study in human nature...

Pam Wood article on the hearing last night (http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/top/2010/08/06-24/Watermen-get-testy-over-oysters.html)