The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced its next phase of large-scale oyster restoration in the Chesapeake Bay, selecting three new sanctuaries for this vital effort. The department will begin restoration work in Herring Bay, the Nanticoke River, and Hoopers Strait, marking a significant step in the state’s ongoing commitment to oyster recovery.
The sites were unveiled during a meeting of the Oyster Advisory Commission on Tuesday, and the projects will build upon the state’s previous successes in restoring oyster populations as outlined in the 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement. This initiative aims to expand the health and biodiversity of the Bay’s ecosystem while addressing the challenges that have severely reduced oyster populations over the years.
A New Chapter in Restoration
“These three large-scale restoration sanctuaries represent a new chapter for oyster restoration in Maryland,” said DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz. “We’ve had tremendous success with our existing restoration sanctuaries, and we’re excited to build on that achievement and keep up the momentum for oyster recovery in the Chesapeake Bay.”
The new restoration efforts are part of the DNR’s Four Point Oyster Sanctuary Plan, designed to guide future sanctuary restoration and management. The plan includes monitoring the success of existing sanctuaries, evaluating underperforming ones, and expanding restoration efforts. It also focuses on integrating oyster restoration with broader watershed restoration strategies.
Oysters, specifically the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), are crucial to the Chesapeake Bay’s ecosystem, acting as a keystone species by filtering water and creating habitats for other marine life. However, the oyster population remains a fraction of its historic levels due to overharvesting, disease, habitat loss, and water quality issues.
Expanding Restoration Efforts
The three selected sanctuaries offer diverse opportunities for restoration. The Hoopers Strait site is expected to be similar in size to the state’s largest restoration sanctuaries, Harris Creek, Little Choptank, and Manokin, which cover between 348 and 455 acres. Herring Bay could surpass these, potentially becoming the largest restoration site in Maryland waters. The Nanticoke River site, meanwhile, will be smaller, at around 175 acres, and work is slated to begin in the spring and summer of 2025.
Restoration will involve constructing hard substrates that can support oyster reefs and planting juvenile oysters, or spat, to rebuild the populations. DNR officials expect to start work in either Herring Bay or Hoopers Strait in 2026, with the remaining site to follow.
Lynn Fegley, Director of DNR Fishing and Boating Services, noted the significance of spreading restoration efforts across multiple locations in different salinity zones. “Together, these three restoration sanctuaries will strengthen the diversity of Maryland’s sanctuary program,” Fegley said. “We’re helping to spread out disease risk and increase the oyster broodstock across all areas of the Chesapeake Bay.”
Progress and Future Goals
This new phase of restoration comes as Maryland nears completion of its first five large-scale sanctuary sites. Four of these sanctuaries—Harris Creek, Little Choptank, Tred Avon, and Manokin River—are considered fully restored or on track for completion by 2025.
Across these sanctuaries, 98% of reefs have met the minimum success criteria, which include maintaining 15 oysters per square meter over at least 30% of the reef area. More than 83% of reefs exceeded 50 oysters per square meter.
As the state looks ahead, the Chesapeake Bay Program is expected to establish new restoration goals beyond 2025. Maryland’s proactive approach, starting new restoration sites before these goals are set, positions the state as a leader in oyster recovery.
“We met the goals of the 2014 Watershed Agreement for oyster restoration, and we anticipate additional ambitious goals for recovery after 2025,” said Jackie Specht, Assistant Secretary of Aquatic Resources for DNR. “With these three restoration projects, we’re getting started early on additional restoration.”
Economic and Environmental Impact
Oyster restoration has not only ecological benefits but also economic ones. Sanctuaries, which are closed to harvesting except for aquaculture leases, aim to increase the breeding population and reef structure, benefiting commercial and aquaculture operations by creating spillover effects. The state’s restoration efforts are complemented by a robust oyster industry, which generated approximately $15 million in commercial harvests in the 2023–2024 season.
In addition, Maryland’s aquaculture operations hit record highs last year, harvesting over 94,000 bushels of oysters.
The DNR’s restoration work continues to evolve. In 2024 and 2025, the Maryland General Assembly committed $2 million annually for oyster restoration in Eastern Bay, including protected sanctuary areas and public fishery harvest sites.
Looking Forward
With new sanctuaries planned, Maryland is poised to continue its leadership in oyster restoration. The combination of habitat construction, spat planting, and careful management of the Bay’s resources will help ensure that oyster populations can thrive, supporting both the environment and the economy.
