Local residents are invited to gather at Abell’s Wharf on September 21 at 10 AM, with a rain date set for September 22, to participate in a significant environmental initiative aimed at planting one million baby oysters in the Breton Bay Oyster Sanctuary. This family-friendly event, hosted by the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association and Friends of St. Clement’s Bay, encourages attendees to bring life jackets and join in the restoration efforts.
Oysters play a pivotal role in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Historically, they were abundant, comprising 48% of the Breton Bay sanctuary’s bottom a century ago. This number has dramatically decreased to less than one percent today, highlighting the urgent need for restoration. The decline of oysters in the area has had a noticeable impact on the local marine environment, including reductions in the populations of seagrasses, blue crabs, and fish that many older residents recall from their youth.
The initiative to restore the oyster population has been ongoing since 2017, with more than 3 million oysters planted to date. Collaborative efforts with partners like Bell Marine Services, Shore Thing Shellfish, LLC, and the Southern Maryland Recreational Fishing Organization have been central to these efforts. The goal is to achieve a self-sustaining reef through natural oyster reproduction, which was observed for the first time since the project’s inception at Lover’s Point in September 2023.
Emma Green, the Executive Director of the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association, remarked on the significance of this natural spatfall, stating, “Oyster reproduction in Breton Bay means that our restoration efforts are working and should continue.” This event not only aims to enhance the local oyster population but also to promote community involvement in environmental preservation.
Participants are encouraged to register for the event online at oyster planting registration or contact Emma Green via email. This event offers a practical way for the community to contribute to the health of Breton Bay and the broader Chesapeake Bay ecosystem.
