Governor Wes Moore announced on March 9, 2026, that Maryland recorded a historic high in oyster reproduction during the 2025 fall survey, with juvenile oyster concentrations reaching levels not seen in nearly three decades. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources reported an index average of 250 spat per bushel at key monitoring sites—nearly six times the long-term average of 42.2 spat per bushel and the highest since 1997. This marks the second-highest spat distribution since 1985, trailing only 1991.
The announcement highlights a major step forward in Chesapeake Bay oyster recovery. Preliminary data show low mortality rates—the third lowest since 1985—and reduced prevalence of diseases like Dermo (lowest in 36 years) and MSX. Oyster biomass stands at its highest in 33 years of tracking, more than five times the 2002 low point. Available hard-surface habitat also hit a 21-year high on a three-year average.
These gains build on long-term trends. A 2025 benchmark assessment estimated Maryland’s oyster population exceeded 12 billion in 2024, including 7.6 billion adults—more than triple the 2005 figure of 2.4 billion adults. Restoration efforts, including completion of initial projects in five rivers by 2025 under the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, contributed to this progress. Sanctuaries have shown strong population increases, supporting spillover benefits to harvest areas.
Oysters play a dual role in the Bay ecosystem and economy. Each mature oyster filters water to remove algae, improving clarity and quality while building reefs that provide habitat for fish and other species. Economically, oyster harvests averaged more than $18 million annually over the past five years, with 475,000 bushels landed yearly from 2021 to 2025, ranking second to crabbing in dockside value.
Despite the positive survey, challenges persist. The 2025-2026 season faced market declines, frozen waterways limiting harvests, and reduced demand. In response, the Department of Natural Resources extended the commercial season by two weeks, and Governor Moore sought a federal disaster declaration for the fishery to aid sustainability.
Experts emphasized the role of sustained efforts. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz noted the tripling of populations over two decades, major sanctuary projects, and reproduction levels unseen in nearly 30 years. University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science President Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm highlighted continued strong reproduction and low mortality as fuel for future growth. Oyster Recovery Partnership Executive Director Ward Slacum credited restoration commitments and responsible management for the results.
The survey, conducted annually since 1939 and standardized since 1985, involves dredging hundreds of sites each fall to count spat on shells and other surfaces. Larvae attach to hard substrates after spawning in summer, maturing in one to three years.
Preliminary results were presented to the Oyster Advisory Commission on March 9, 2026. The full report will appear on the DNR fall oyster survey website.
Environmental groups point to risks ahead. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation noted six consecutive years of above-average reproduction and tripled adult numbers, largely in protected sanctuaries. However, Governor Moore’s proposed budget cuts oyster restoration funding by 41% in the capital budget for reef construction and plantings. Legislation like HB1388/SB0875 proposes a rotational harvest pilot in select sanctuary areas, potentially affecting over 56,000 acres of protected reefs. Critics argue dredging could damage habitats built through decades of investment, countering recent commitments to add 1,100 acres of restoration under the 2025 Watershed Agreement.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Coastal Resource Scientist Julie Luecke stated: “Oyster restoration in the Bay is working, and these strong survey results show it. Maryland cannot backslide on decades of progress and investment. Legislators must reject destructive proposals to dredge sanctuary oyster reefs and cut the oyster restoration budget. When Maryland leaders protect oysters, they also protect clean water, coastal communities, and local economies. Not doing so would undermine decades of progress and investment.”
The results underscore the impact of restoration and management while highlighting debates over balancing harvest access and long-term protection.