Keeping Oysters Alive

[night nurse]

Quick question.
Has any tried to keep Oysters alive for an extended time by placeing them in a live box or crab pot tied to a peir?

TED

[Coan Ranger]

My neighbor keeps them in milk crates tied to his pier. Leaves them there for months. Works great.

[paxfish]

Sure - we grow them at the pier.

What body of water are you on?

[Patapsco Mike]

It's not a good idea for a whole host of reasons. #1 it's illegal. You would be doing "in water storage" and need a permit to legally do this. #2 whatever disease agents or aquatic hitch-hikers are on and in those oysters will be released into your local waters and could potentially have negative effects on your local oysters. #3 How sure are you that none of your neighbors have leaking septic fields or that you have high coliform bacteria counts in your water for some other reason?

[Sea Gator]

I keep them in a plastic milk crate and I can keep them for months. I keep the crate off t he bottom so they do not get covered in mud.

[night nurse]

I am on Kent Island on the Eastern Bay, by the Romancoke Pier. The Oysters I got are from Popler Island so I don't think any "NEW" critters would be introduced to the enviroment. I did not know it was illegal though. That does not make any sence as They are attached TO the pier.
I do like the milk creat idea though.
I'll let you guys know how it works out.
If anyone has a footnote to the legal aspect PLEASE let me know.
Thanks

Ted

[crabby and son]

Ted, If I find out that it is illegal, I will take them so you won't get caught. I already know where the pier is.......Gary

[night nurse]

Dang, that's right you do know my spot. Thanks it's good to know I've someone watching my back....I think.

TED

[smellslikefish]

I cant see why it would be illegal off of your own pier......If anything, you are helping filter the surrounding water, but there is the issue of bactieria....... Places that oysters are harvested for consumption, are tested, and can often get closed down...... I normally buy oysters by the bushel, and after about 10 days in a row of eating them, I normally have 1/2 doz. at the bottom that I just cant seam to muster. I am thinking about puting them in a basket at a buddies pier, but I probally would never eat them again.......kinda just keep them as a hobby, or donate them to the Magothy River Foundation down the road to plant on there oyster reefs.

[27 sailfish]

The only drawback could be if the water is polluted. Oyster bars and the oysters are sampled by DNR.
If bad water is found - oyster bars are closed.
Sad part - there have been cases where oysters were harvested from closed areas and sold . That to me is public endangerment - not just poaching.

Some years ago - it might still go on - oysters from our area were trucked to Chincoteague and soaked for a week to gather that distinct salty taste. It added $10.00 or so to each bushel. Shows how they take on the water they are in.

FWIW: I've keep them on ice in a cooler for 5 days. Not in the ice but on top.