Oyster beds

[Fairport Fishing]

Has anybody heard how the new oyster seed is going this year in the Wicomico. Saw the barge loaded up this past weekend and hadn't heard too much. There was a rumor the rays didn't do as much damage as first thought last year? Apparently the beds are in-tact? I was curious if anybody had any news on it. Sure would be nice to have some more structure in the river to collect some frying fish on. Chris

[rocksandblues]

they are also seeding the creek we are on, lower machodac.

[capt. dave]

They put up a big wire enclosure around the Wicomico oyster bed so you wn't be able to drift over it. I tried drifting beside it a month ago but didn't get anything then.

[tomwright]

there's three of those enclosures on the river now . one as far up as horn harbor . what I read and heard they are for asian oysters

[rolf]

Watch out for the enclosures on the great W....The poles are very sturdy and will take out your boat. IMHO they are a hazard to navigation and should be better marked. You could get a real ugly surprise especially at night if you are not aware of these new poles/enclosures..........

[Tom Powers]

There were some permits issued in March to the Army Corp to put some type of net barrier around their reef(s?). At the time they were talking about using pound net leader net. It was to stop the cow nose rays.

Here is the agenda item:

15. PUBLIC HEARING: Proposed placement of cownose ray excluder fences on
Public Grounds 13, 14 and 21 in the Great Wicomico River as part of the oyster
restoration activities of the VMRC, ACOE, VIMS and CBF.
Dr. James Wesson, Head-Conservation and Replenishment, gave the presentation and his
comments are a part of the verbatim record. Dr. Wesson explained that a one-acre
exclosure for public ground 13, a 0.6 acre exclosure for public ground 14, and a 2.2 acre
exclosure for public ground number 21 in the Great Wicomico River was requested. He
further explained that cultchless oysters would be placed within these exclosures, which
would be maintained from May through October.
The public hearing was opened.
Tommy Leggett, representative for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), was present
and his comments are a part of the verbatim record. He said that CBF supported the
project. He said there was a need to protect the broodstock.
Roger Mann, representative for Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), was present
and his comments are a part of the verbatim record. Dr. Mann said that VIMS supported
the project.
Associate Member Jones, moved to accept staff’s recommendation. Associate
Member Schick seconded the motion. The motion carried, 8-0.

I do not know where those locations are. But if you see fences anywhere else they are not permitted and you should report them.

Tom