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903094002
DRAFT
Chesapeake Bay
Oyster
Management Plan
Chesapeake Bay Program
JUNE 1994
CB 00615
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Introduction
The oyster (Crassostrea virginica) resource in the Chesapeake
Bay has been significantly impacted by the oyster parasites MSX and
Dermo, habitat losses, water quality, and harvesting. In 1989, an
Oyster Fishery Management Plan (FMP) was completed for oysters and
included strategies to address the problems of harvest decline,
recruitment, disease mortality, leased ground production, habitat
issues, shellfish sanitation, market production and the repletion
program. The oyster commercial harvest continued to decline and
special committees were organized to review the situation. In
Maryland, the role of the State in oyster management was analyzed
and critiqued by a special committee appointed by the governor
(Wolman Report 1990). As a result of the Wolman Report
recommendations, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources
(MDNR) increased oyster taxes and license fees, continued a seed
supply for private aquaculture, continued the repletion program,
developed stock assessment efforts and increased disease research
and monitoring (Refer to Appendix I for a summary of the Wolman
Report's major recommendations).
As the ecological value of the oyster resource in regards to
water quality was recognized and disease became more limiting, an
improved framework was needed for managing the oyster resource. In
Virginia, a 33-member "Blue Ribbon" Panel met to discuss oyster
issues and develop recommendations for restoring Virginia's oyster
industry. Four potential oyster sources were considered:
traditional state and private culture of C. virqinica; off-bottom
culture in approved waters; on-bottom culture of a non-native
species, C. gigas; and on-shore depuration of moderately polluted
oysters. The recommendations of the Virginia Blue Ribbon Panel were
prepared and reported in the Virginia Holton Plan (Refer to
Appendix II for a summary).
The Chesapeake Bay Program's Scientific and Technical Advisory
Committee (STAC) initially played a dominant role in coordinating
efforts to draft a baywide oyster restoration action agenda. After
several workshops, eight problem areas were defined to maintain the
oyster fishery and restore the oyster reef community. These problem
areas were: restoration of habitat; recognition of ecological
function; control of fishing mortality; improvement of the
repletion program; management around disease; support of research;
promotion of aquaculture and the establishment of oyster
sanctuaries. The STAC work provided the framework for revising the
1989 Oyster FMP. Specific actions and details concerning these
problem areas were developed by committee through the Maryland
Oyster Roundtable (MOR) and the Virginia Holton Plan (VHP). The
Virginia and Maryland committee reports served as the source
documents for the 1994 Oyster FMP.
One of the major innovations resulting from the MOR was
defining oyster recovery areas (ORA's). Restoration areas will be
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established in the Chester, Choptank, Magothy, Nanticoke, Patuxent,
and Severn Rivers. These areas will be targeted for restoring
oyster populations and then scientifically monitored to see how
well new techniques are working. A non-profit corporation will be
formed by aquaculturists, environmentalists and watermen to play a
major role in developing and applying innovative oyster restoration
techniques. The delineation of ORA's has resulted in two management
sections in the revised 1994 Oyster FMP, the first section
addresses baywide strategies and actions, and the second section
addresses Maryland strategies and actions for the ORA's. The
biological background section from the original 1989 Oyster FMP has
been updated and included after the management sections. In
addition to establishing ORA's, Maryland DNR will also establish a
pilot permitting program for oyster aquaculture demonstration
projects.
Ecological Role
The ecological value of oyster reefs to the Chesapeake Bay
ecosystem includes the effects of oyster filtration on water
quality and the biological diversity associated with reef
communities. Oysters filter phytoplankton and other organic
particulate matter from the water column, thus clarifying the water
and reducing organic loads contributing to anoxia (STAC 1992).
Results from oyster modelling (Ulanowicz and Tuttle 1992) suggest
that increasing oyster stocks either by aquaculture or enhancing
natural oyster bars could augment the attainment of water quality
goals. Although the ecological role of oysters in the Chesapeake
Bay ecosystem is recognized, its benefit is indirect and hard to
measure. Few data are available to quantify oyster reef community
structure and function. Myatt and Myatt (1990) conducted an
ecological study of hard-substrate communities within the
Chesapeake Bay. They concluded that an artificial reef program
would be an asset to the Bay environment. Since ecological
functions overlap with other problem areas, specific actions
addressing this issue have not been developed. Strategies and
actions that restore oyster habitat and enhance/increase oyster
production will benefit the ecosystem.
Current Status of the Oyster Fishery
Currently, oyster harvest from the Chesapeake Bay is at an all
time low. The fishery is restricted to a few areas where legal-
sized oysters can be harvested. These are low salinity areas, where
natural recruitment (spat set) is low and unpredictable, where the
State's repletion programs expend the greatest effort, and where
oysters are at greatest risk from freshets. During the 1992/1993
oyster season, 124,000 bushels were harvested from Maryland, 64,500
bushels from Virginia and 105,000 bushels from the Potomac River.
Preliminary 1993/1994 commercial oyster landings from Maryland are
76,000 bushels. This is the seventh consecutive year of harvests
below 500,000 bushels (Figure 1 and 2). Preliminary 1993/1994
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oyster harvests from Virginia and the Potomac River were 30,000 and
223 bushels, respectively. Oyster surveys in Maryland indicate that
oyster diseases have expanded their range. Oyster spat set has been
variable (Figure 3). The 1991 spat fall index, the average number
of young oysters found on a given amount of oyster shell, was the
highest recorded in 27 years at over 200 spat per bushel. The 1993
oyster spat set was 16.2 spat per bushel. For greater detail on the
biology and life history of oysters and an historic perspective on
the oyster fishery, refer to the biological background section (p.
24).
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) biologists
recommended a moratorium on the harvest of oysters from public
grounds during 1993. After much deliberation and public hearings,.
the VMRC decided to shorten the oyster season and set a 6,000
bushel limit from October 15th through December 31st, restrict the
length of tongs to 18 feet, and prohibit harvest after 12 noon. The
VMRC's actions did not affect the harvest of oysters from private
grounds. The restrictions were similar to those approved by the
Potomac River Fisheries Commission (PRFC) in response to high
oyster mortalities. Mortalities as high as 90% were reported in
parts of the Potomac River due to a high freshwater influx from
spring rainfall and snowmelt.
FMP Status and Management Unit
A Chesapeake Bay Oyster Management Plan was completed in 1989.
The 1994 Oyster FMP supersedes the 1989 FMP. The management unit is
the American or eastern oyster (Crassostrea virqinica) throughout
its range in the Chesapeake Bay. The Virginia oyster industry has
two different environments, the Bay and Seaside. Management
considerations for the Virginia resource are for the Bay oyster
bars and do not include the intertidal Seaside bars.
Goals and Objectives
Overall, the jurisdictions will:
Enhance the ecological value of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay
ecosystem by restoring habitat, controlling fishing mortality,
promoting aquaculture and continuing the repletion programs.
The objectives defined by the Maryland Oyster Roundtable are:
1) Maximize and enhance the ecological benefits of oysters;
2) Maximize and enhance the economic benefits derived from
harvesting in the public and private oyster fisheries; and
3) Maximize the ability of government to respond effectively
to the magnitude of the problem.
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The objectives defined by the Virginia Holton Plan are:
1) Determine fair and justifiable harvest quotas through a
data collection and analysis system.
2) Rejuvenate the public oyster fishery by redesigning the
repletion progam and evaluate the effectiveness of a
redesigned oyster repletion program.
3) Implement a limited entry program for fisheries in order to
protect both full-time fishermen and the resource.
4) Implement regulatory reforms and technical advisory service
to strengthen off-bottom culture.
5) Explore the feasibility and ultimate construction of a
depuration facility for oysters from both the private and
public bottom.
6) Test in the laboratory and, conditionally, in the York
River, the suitability of the non-native oyster, C. gicrasf as
a factor in the rejuvenation of Virginia oyster industry.
MANAGEMENT SECTION 1.
BAYWIDE PROBLEM AREAS AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
Disease
Haplosporidium nelsoni (MSX) and Perkinsus marinus (Dermo) are
the major impediments to restoring oyster stocks to the level of
abundance of recent decades in the Chesapeake Bay. Approximately
100% of Maryland and Virginia oyster beds are infected with
disease. MSX and Dermo are single-celled parasites that grow within
oyster tissue. They cause signficant mortalities within the first
two years of life and have altered the size and age structure of
the oyster population. Maryland stock survey data from limited
areas, indicate adequate numbers of juvenile and premarket oysters
but greatly reduced numbers of market-sized oysters. Although
oysters exhibit highly variable growth rates, they can reach market
size in about 3 years. This is enough time for diseases to
eliminate all market-size oysters on a bar. Younger, less than 3"
oysters, can still reproduce and maintain moderate recruitment
success or spat set. Climate and subsequent changes in salinity
affect disease distribution and infection. Salinities below 10-15
ppt and above 30-32 ppt are associated with decreased MSX activity.
MSX can inhibit oyster growth and gametogenesis in spring. Dermo
can tolerate lower salinities and is more persistent and damaging
to oyster populations than MSX.
Currently, there are no known disease-resistant oysters
available. Rutgers has developed an MSX resistant strain which can
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become infected with MSX but will survive to market size. This
strain, however, is more susceptible to Dermo than regular oysters.
A major breakthrough in 1993 was the culture of Dermo in the
laboratory. This breakthrough will make it easier to study the
organism and, hopefully, facilitate some advances in disease
research. In order to provide a successful research program, stable
and carefully targeted funding must be provided over several years.
After a pre-determined time frame, the research and management
program should be critically evaluated to determine its
effectiveness in reversing the decreasing trend in oyster stocks
and progress towards controlling MSX and Dermo.
Strategy 1.1
The Bay jurisdictions will monitor the prevalence and intensity of
MSX and Dermo in the Bay and attempt to minimize the spread of
disease.
Actions;
l.l.l
1.1.2
1.1.3
1.1.4
The Bay jurisdictions will continue the annual disease
survey, increase sample size and develop new disease
detection techniques at the Oxford Laboratory and the
Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS).
Implementation 1.1.1
Continue existing sampling
October/November and March.
schedule during
The Bay jurisdictions will establish a protocol for
certifying oysters, including seed oysters, for the
prevalence and intensity of MSX, Dermo, or other
pathogens.
Implementation 1.1.2
1995
Maryland and Virginia will continue their repletion
programs using natural seed with low levels of MSX and
Dermo contamination until enough hatchery produced,
disease-free seed is produced. At that time in Maryland,
movement of seed which cannot be certified will cease.
Techniques for disease monitoring will include
histocytology (thioglycolate assays and histological
analysis), immunological detection tests and
histopathology.
Implementation 1.1.3
Continue. Implement movement of disease-free seed
from hatcheries as it becomes available.
The jurisdictions will continue to rotate seed areas to
avoid transport of older year classes that have a higher
probability of disease infestation.
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Implementation 1.1.4
Continue
1.1.5 The jurisdictions will conduct a pilot study to test the
difference in survival between seed moved in the fall
compared to seed moved in the spring and investigate
other approaches for seed planting to reduce the
possibility of disease infestation before transport (part
of improved repletion program).
Imp1ementation 1.1.5
September 1994- April 1995
Strategy 1.2
The Bay jurisdictions will implement a coordinated, multi-year,
goal-oriented research program to identify, understand, prevent and
control MSX, Dermo, and other potential pathogens. Funding for this
research should be stable, carefully targeted for specific research
issues and followed by an evaluation after five years to assess
progress and determine continuation.
Actions:
1.2.1 The Bay jurisdictions will delegate responsibility for
coordinating the research program to a specific
person/agency.
Implementation 1.2.1
1994
1.2.2 Maryland will initiate the first five-year phase of a
multi-year research program aimed at early detection,
prevention, and control of MSX and Dermo which will
include the following:
1) Improve the methodology for early detection of disease
during all life stages of oysters;
2) Obtain a better understanding of the life cycle of MSX
and Dermo, including environmental reguirements and
identification of alternate hosts;
3) Identify existing information and intensify research
on the physiological aspects of MSX and Dermo, including
immune system function;
4) Determine why some oyster species are not susceptible
to MSX or Dermo;
5) Utilize cell culture to learn Dermo's requirements for
survival and the best methods of eradicating it;
6) Understand the effects of cold temperature and low
salinity on parasites and relate them to various
management scenarios;
7) Examine the response of C. virginica from other
regions (outside the Chesapeake Bay) to MSX and/or Dermo
when transplanted in the Bay.
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Implementation 1.2.2
1995-2000
Strategy 1.3
Research will continue on disease-resistant oysters, hybridization,
and the possible effects of introducing a hybrid or exotic species
into the Bay.
Actions:
1.3.1 Maryland will initiate a pilot field program to plant
strains of the eastern oyster not native to Chesapeake
Bay in higher salinity areas of the Bay and its
tributaries. Adequate precautions will be taken to
prevent the introduction of new disease strains and
undesirable genetic stock (see Action 1.3.3).
Implementation 1.3.1
1995
1.3.2 a) Virginia, through the Virginia Institute of Marine
Science (VIMS), is currently conducting an environmental
impact assessment of the introduction of a non-native
oyster. Research at VIMS includes the following:
1) An on-shore test on the temperature-salinity
tolerances of C. gigas (to include all geographical
strains) to determine the best growing conditions
and to establish whether C. gigas. introduced into
the water column at the proper time, will outgrow
its predators7 ability to destroy it. This data
will be used to estimate the probable range of C.
gigas in the Chesapeake Bay, its overlapping range
with C. virginica and its potential use as a
commercial product.
2) A study of river currents in the York River to
determine the best location for a reef and
broodstock sanctuary for C. gigas.
3) Culture a sufficient number of C. gigas in the
hatchery in quarantine status, condition them to
spawn at the optimum time for planting after the
conclusion of the on-shore test, and take
conditional actions (1) (below) if it is warranted.
4) A literature search to determine to what degree
C. gigas will replace C. virginica ecologically.
Conditional action (1)
5a) If the results of the temperature-salinity and
ecological studies are positive (i.e., show that C.
gigas placed in the York will outgrow its
predators), establish a small, pilot, sanctuary
reef in the York River of about one acre and put C.
gigas overboard on the reef (must request the
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Commissioner to allow the planting).
5b) If the results of the temperature-salinity
study are negative, discontinue research on C.
gigas.
Conditional action (2)
'6) If the pilot reef is a success, if C. giqas grow
to reproducing and/or market size in reasonable
numbers after 3 years, establish a program to
expand the sanctuary and build multiple reefs on
the York River to allow seed larvae to naturally
settle there from the sanctuary.
Conditional action (3)
7) If C. cfigas proves resistant to MSX after a
significant potential infection, distribute seed
for use in MSX-dominated areas where flow patterns
will tend to isolate C. qigas from productive C.
virginica.
b) Maryland will conduct an environmental impact
assessment of the potential introduction of a non-native
oyster species as a contingency plan if the action items
in this plan are not enough to increase oyster stocks in
the Bay. Maryland will utilize the results of the
Virginia assessment (Action 1.3.2.a) to avoid duplicating
efforts.
Implementation 1.3.2
a) Continue b) Open
1.3.3 The Bay jurisdictions will follow the guidelines set
forth in the Exotic Species Policy developed by the
Chesapeake Bay Program's Living Resources Subcommittee.
Implementation 1.3.3
1994
Repletion Programs
State repletion programs have focused on increasing the size
of the oyster harvest by moving shell and transplanting seed
oysters. Currently, state agencies move seed oysters to grow-out
regions so watermen who pay a license fee can harvest them for
market. Since there is little to no production from natural bars,
the repletion program supports a put-and-take fishery. In Maryland,
license fees pay about half the cost of the repletion program and
the state and federal government funds the rest. In Virginia, state
funds cover 90% of a smaller state repletion program.
The State repletion program is the major source for
harvestable oysters in Maryland at this time. It is limited by
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natural reproduction (spat set), disease infection, the amount of
available shell or cultch, and funding. Because of high disease
pressure in most lower-Bay locations, seed repletion programs move
oyster seed from high salinity, high spat set areas, to low
salinity, low spat set areas which have slow growth and low
disease. Maryland and Virginia currently have no disease-free,
seed-producing areas and transplanting seed may facilitate the
spread of disease throughout the Bay. The repletion program in each
state should be adapted, as appropriate, to the initiatives
recommended in this plan. Monitoring efforts should continue and
adjustments made to optimize the timing and location of shell and
seed plantings which will result in enhanced oyster production
(Refer to Appendix III and IV for a summary of each state's
repletion program during 1993).
Strategy 2.1
The Maryland and Virginia repletion programs will minimize the
possibility of spreading MSX and Dermo.
Actions:
2.1.1 The Bay jurisdictions will implement the disease
strategies and actions defined in the Disease Section of
this management plan to minimize the spread of disease.
Implementation 2.1.1
Variable, depending on actions defined in the
previous management section.
Strategy 2.2
The Bay jurisdictions will maintain and adapt their current state
repletion programs to promote natural oyster production and meet
the changing needs of the oyster resource. This includes adjusting
plantings based on salinity patterns and disease information. The
programs will be modified as new initiatives from the MOR and VHP
are implemented. Repletion efforts will be monitored then evaluated
after a three year period (1997).
Actions:
2.2 Maryland will maintain the state repletion program as
funds are available at a level of at least 2 million
bushels of shell and 500,000 bushels of seed if spat set
levels permit. As new initiatives by the MOR are
implemented, the repletion program may be modified.
Implemention 2.2
Continue. Seed plantings begin in April 1994 and
shell plantings in June and early July 1994.
2.3 Maryland will continue the fall dredge survey which
provides data on oyster mortality, recruitment (spat
set), and disease patterns, to direct the oyster
repletion efforts.
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Implementation 2.3
Continue
2.4 Maryland will provide fresh shell to the state hatchery
and to community groups for habitat enhancement and
develop a policy on minimum desiccation period to prevent
spread of MSX and Dermo with fresh shell.
Implementation 2.4
1995
2.5 Maryland DNR will support the ORA efforts by providing
the program with a percentage of available shell. The
amount of shell will be negotiated annually. For
1994/1995, 200,000 bushels of shell will be available.
Implementation' 2.5
Beginning in 1994 and continuing annually.
2.6 Virginia will restore two major areas where setting is
good, the James and the Rappahannock Rivers, forming
sanctuaries for maintaining the biological stock.
Restoration efforts will include: 1) locating the best
substrate; 2) prohibiting harvest in these areas; 3)
adding shell or other material to build reef structure;
4) adding seed; and, 5) monitoring the growth of oysters.
Implementation 2.6
Begin in 1994
2.7 Virginia will turn and clean on a rolling basis oyster
beds near sanctuary reefs in the James and Rappahannock
Rivers to prepare them to receive spat set from the
sanctuary areas. The cleaning procedure will include: 1)
identifying the best areas; 2) delineating the best time
to turn the beds; 3) monitoring the growth of new
oysters; 4) opening the beds to harvest and setting a
guota; and, 5) closing the beds once the quota is met and
starting the process again.
Implementation 2.7
1995
2.8 a) The Bay jurisdictions will continue to monitor their
repletion efforts and adjust the timing and location of
shell and seed planting based on the best available data.
b) Virginia will establish a computer data-base system to
monitor the progress of the repletion program on a bar by
bar basis.
Implementation 2.8
a) Continue b) 1995
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2.9 When the hatchery production of seed is adequate to meet
planting needs, the repletion programs will be modified.
Implementation 2.9
Open. Dependent on seed production.
Habitat/Water Quality
Overfishing has contributed to the reduction in available
oyster habitat in the Chesapeake Bay by removing shell. Oyster bars
have become small mounds with relatively thin layers of shell
scattered over the bottom. Reef flattening has taken oysters out of
the higher water column where currents bring fresh food supplies
and made them particularly vulnerable to siltation. Heavy sediment
loads from agricultural and urban run-off, construction activities,
natural erosion, dredging, and forestry activities can impact
oyster bars. The reduction in reef surface area has also reduced
the amount of substrate for oyster larvae to settle. Oyster shell
is the most suitable substrate for spat settlement and should be
considered an important natural resource. Loss of shell due to the
export of oysters out of the state is detrimental to restoring
oyster beds. Shell conservation should be practiced. Oyster beds
can be re-established by building up the base with additional firm
substrate. Rebuilding efforts should be focused in shallow areas
(below 10m) where low oxygen is not a problem.
Oysters are an important part of the Bay ecosystem especially
in their role as filter-feeders. They consume large quantities of
suspended organic particles, recycle nutrients, and transfer energy
throughout the food web. Adequate water quality is essential for
oysters to reproduce, grow and maintain health. Habitat
requirements for temperature, salinity, sediment, pH, and dissolved
oxygen have been summarized in Table 1 in the background section
(p.25). Oyster eggs and larvae can be killed by suspended
sediments. Adult oysters can withstand periods of increased
turbidity and sedimentation but extended exposure can result in
damage to their filtering apparatus. Of greatest concern baywide
are the effects of excess nutrients and the impacts of toxic
materials.
Strategy 3.1
The Bay jurisdictions will conduct a phased program to evaluate and
implement projects to restore the physical habitat for oysters.
Actions:
3.1.1 The Bay jurisdictions will restore physical oyster
habitat through the Maryland and Virginia Aquatic Reef
Program (refer to the Aquatic Reef Habitat Plan 1994 for
details).
1) Approximately 5000 acres each of new oyster reef
habitat will be created in Maryland and Virginia and 1000
acres in the Potomac River, over the next 5 years.
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2) Oyster harvest will be prohibited at designated sites.
3) A research plan will be prepared to obtain
hydrodynamics, unit design, and deployment configuration
recommendations.
4) The reefs will be monitored to determine compliance
and evaluate ecological performance.
5) The Reef Program will expand into additional areas and
sites as guided by the findings of research and
monitoring.
Implementation 3.1.1
See specifics in the 1994 Aquatic Reef Habitat Plan
3.1.2 The Bay jurisdictions will redefine sanctuaries with
adequate geographic extent and distinctiveness.
1) Virginia will expand the 25 acre broodstock sanctuary
in the James River (Lower Jail Island/Wreck Shoal)
currently used by the Oyster Repletion Program to an area
not less than 2000 acres, north of the channel and chosen
by the VMRC.
2) Virginia will establish a broodstock sanctuary in a
geographically distinct area of approximately 50 acres in
the Rappahannock River.
3) Virginia will establish a broodstock sanctuary of less
than 50 acres in Mobjack Bay and manage it according to
the repletion plan.
4) Virginia will continue to use specific areas within
the Piankatank and Great Wicomico Rivers as seed areas
for the repletion program.
Implementation 3.1.2
Variable, but beginning in 1994.
3.1.3 The Bay jurisdictions will evaluate innovative techniques
for restoring physical oyster habitat, conduct projects
such as cleaning bottom areas, and evaluate optimal
physical structures and alternative materials for
rebuilding oyster bars.
Implementation 3.1.3
1995
Strategy 3.2
The Bay jurisdictions will ensure that water quality is maintained
at levels necessary to support healthy oyster populations.
Actions:
3.2.1 Current programs established under the Chesapeake Bay
Program to reduce pollutant sources that adversely affect
oyster stocks will be maintained. The Tributary Strategy
will incorporate specific measures to protect oyster
stocks from adverse water quality.
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Implementation 3.2.1
Continue
3.2.2 Local, state, and federal agencies will utilize their
permitting and environmental review programs to ensure
that oyster habitat is not adversely affected by the
discharge of pollutants, dredging, and other human
activities.
Implementation 3.2.2
Continue
3.2.3 Virginia will continue to support the efforts of SENTAF,
the Department of Health and the Department of
Conservation and Recreation's Division of Soil and Water
Conservation to identify and control non point-source
pollution.
Implementation 3.2.3
Continue
3.2.4 The ORA advisory committee will assess the potential
impact of activities which may adversely affect oysters
in ORA/s and provide recommendations to the appropriate
agencies for prevention and restoration of adequate water
quality.
Implementation 3.2.4
1995
Management to Increase oyster Production
The disease problem, the lack of oyster habitat, variability
in recruitment, and harvest pressures have placed considerable
constraints on oyster production. Current production levels of
certified oyster larvae and seed oysters will not meet the needs of
stocking the ORA's or providing for private aquaculture and
community association projects. Past and current oyster culture
techniques should be analyzed and coordinated with management
approaches to enhance production. New technology is needed for the
restoration, culture, and production of oysters. In the past,
institutional barriers made it difficult to obtain aquaculture
permits. To allow progress toward opportunities for private
aquaculture ventures, efforts should be made to assist and
encourage the private industry. There will be difficulty enforcing
property rights relevant to private oyster aquaculture in the Bay
without signficant social change. Presently, MDNR has oyster
hatcheries at Deal Island and Piney Point, and the University of
Maryland has a hatchery at Horn Point. Production at these hatchery
facilities in Maryland should be increased to provide spat and
larvae.
15
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The advantages and disadvantages of a 'slot limit' should be
evaluated as a means of increasing oyster production. Lowering the
minimum size to 2.5" would allow oysters to be harvested before
they succumb to disease. A 4" maximum size would protect larger
oysters that have survived MSX and Dermo infestation and allow the
possible development of disease-resistant individuals and
eventually, the build-up of a disease resistant stock.
Strategy 4.1
The Bay jurisdictions will work to improve and increase oyster
production in the private and public oyster fisheries.
Actions:
4.1.1 Maryland and Virginia will prepare a comprehensive
analysis of past and current oyster culture techniques in
the Chesapeake Bay and other relevant areas to help focus
effort and finances into projects with the best chances
of success. In preparing the document, existing expertise
and experience in the National Marine Fisheries Service
will be utilized.
Implementation 4.1.1
1995
4.1.2 Maryland will increase the hatchery production of oyster
larvae and seed oysters by maximizing production at Horn
Point and using fresh shells supplied by MDNR. In
addition, field surveys are curently underway to evaluate
plantings of hatchery reared seed which will guide
utilization of larvae and seed from state facilities.
Implementation 4.1.2
Field study of hatchery reared seed is in its
second year. Shells were delivered to Horn Point in
February 1994.
4.1.3 Maryland will establish remote setting sites for eyed-
larvae purchased from public orprivate hatcheries, in
appropriate locations with low levels of MSX and Dermo.
Implementation 4.1.3
1995
4.1.4 Maryland and Virginia will encourage private companies to
develop oyster hatcheries. Encouragement will include
competitive bidding for contracts to provide oyster
larvae and seed for ORA's and other areas.
Implementation 4.1.4
1995
16
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4.1.5 Maryland and Virginia will initiate a grant program with
matching funds provided by private industry, to stimulate
the development of innovative techniques for oyster
restoration, culture and production.
Implementation 4.1.5
Dependent and limited by availability of funding.
4.1.6 Maryland DNR will establish a pilot permitting program
for oyster aquaculture demonstration projects. The pilot
program will include the following aspects:
1) an initial 5 year permit;
2) a limit of 20 permits;
3) permits will be limited to 5 acres per individual;
4) total area under a single permit may include more than
one location;
5) permittees will be required to prepare and submit a
report summarizing the activities on the permitted area
to MDNR. The report should include information on what
restoration activities were undertaken, the production
techniques utilized, and amount of oysters planted and
harvested;
6) if a permittee fails to report or does not undertake
any production activities, MDNR may revoke the permit;
Implementation 4.1.6
As of February 1994, a draft document entitled,
Oyster Aquaculture Permit Guidelines 1994 has been
developed (see Appendix V for details).
4.1.7 MDNR will establish an aquaculture permit clearinghouse
service for applicants which will include:
1) designating a single point of contact for questions
related to the regulatory requirements for aquaculture,
tracking permit applications, and coordinating state
agency permitting activities related to aquaculture
permits;
2) coordinating the preparation of a permitting handbook
for potential applicants for aquaculture permits.
Implementation 4.1.7
??
4.1.8 The Bay jurisdictions will define the acreage available
for leasing oyster bottom.
1) MDNR will identify areas to be characterized as
Aquaculture Zones through recommendations by the MOR.
2) VMRC will implement the following for off bottom
culture:
a) VIMS will establish criteria for identifying
potentially productive areas, classifying waters as
appropriate (I) , marginal (II), and not appropriate
17
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(Ill) for aquaculture;
b) establish regulations for aquaculture in
regulation title 28.1, Fish, Oysters, Shellfish and
Other Marine Life (includes a permitting process
for aquacultural off-bottom projects that
accommodates structures of changeable configuration
and permit time-spans of appropriate length);
c) establish Department of Health regulations
specifically for aquaculture through discussions
among the Department of Health, industry
representatives, and advisors;
d) draft a model legislative package by VIMS that
establishes tax incentives for the start-up of
private hatcheries to provide a steady supply of
seed to farmers;
e) designate a technical advisory agent with the
VIMS Advisory Service who will specialize in
hatchery advice, grow-out advice, permitting
assistance and site selection assistance.
3) PRFC will not permit any leasing except by
authorization from both Maryland and Virginia
Implementation 4.1.8
Variable beginning in 1994
4.1.9 The enforcement of property rights relevant to private
oyster aquaculture will be added to the public education
progam.
Implementation 4.1.9
1995
4.1.10 The VMRC will develop and operate a depuration facility
to utilize oysters in less than optimum water quality
situations. The development of a depuration facility will
not lessen the need to continue to improve water quality.
Implementation 4.1.10
1995
Strategy 4.2
The Bay jurisdictions will reduce and control fishing mortality.
Actions:
4.2.1 Maryland will utilize the following guidelines for
controlling fishing mortality:
a) The population structure of oysters on a bar within a
region will be established before the harvest season, the
areas will be monitored during the season, and harvesting
rates will be determined. If harvest rates from the
previous year exceed the guidelines (see 4.2.1 b),
regional adjustments will be made concerning the opening
18
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and closing of specific areas for harvest.
b) Maryland will regulate harvest on open bars at fishing
mortality rates dependent on region and gear type. The
following annual fishing mortality rates will be
established in repleted areas:
1) Tributaries -
a. Hand Tong 50%
b. Patent Tong 40%
c. Dredge 40%
d. Diver 40%
2) Mainstem -
a. Lower Bay (MD/VA line to Cove Pt) - 50%
b. Mid Bay (Cove Pt. to Holland Pt.) - 40%
c. Upper Bay (Holland Pt north) - 40%
The following annual fishing mortality rates will
be established in unrepleted areas and apply to all
gears:
1) Tributaries - 30% once every 3 years
2) Mainstem -
a. Lower Bay - 50% once every 2 years;
cull size = 2.5"
b. Mid Bay - 50% once every 2 years
c. Upper Bay - 0%; area will be closed
Implementation 4.2.1
1995
4.2.2 The Bay jurisdictions will evaluate the potential
advantages and disadvantages of a 'slot limit' with a
minimum size for harvesting of 2.5" and a maximum size of
4".
1) Slot limit already in effect for PRFC below the hand
scrape line.
2) Maryland will collect oysters over 4" from diseased
areas and test their resistance to disease and the
resistance of their progeny. The patent tong survey data
will be reviewed to provide estimates of the impact of
harvesting small oysters from the population.
Implementation 4.2.2
1) Continue. 2) Begin collection in March 1994 and
review patent tong data beginning April 1994.
4.2.3 VMRC will manage the public oyster grounds in specific
areas by establishing the following:
James River
1) establish an 18' length limit on shaft tongs to
protect oysters in deeper water;
2) establish a market oyster harvest quota that is
updated yearly and based on estimates of standing stock;
19
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3) increase the minimum size in the Jail Island clean
cull area to 3";
4) as part of the culling practices, reduce the tolerance
for blank shells in seed oysters from 10 quarts per
bushel to 6 quarts per bushel;
5) open Deep Water Shoal to public fishery on a limited
basis;
6) establish beds for intensive repletion near the
sanctuary and manage them according to the repletion
plan.
Rappahannock River
7) expand the prohibited area for patent tonging to
include the area on the southside of the river to the
channel above a line connecting Bailey Point
(Urbanna/Southside) and the mouth of Beach Creek
(Northside) in order to reduce harvest pressure on
productive stocks;
8) establish beds for intensive repletion near the
sanctuary and manage them according to the repletion
plan.
Pocomoke/Tangier Sounds
9) Prohibit patent tonging and dredging for a 3 year
period and re-evaluate the health of the rocks at the end
of that period.
Seaside Eastern Shore
10) establish a 3" minimum size limit on market oysters.
implementation 4.2.3
Variable
Collection of Management Quality Data
Oyster population data and harvest information is currently
being colelcted but improvements in recording the data should be
made. A summary of the Maryland and Virginia 1993 Oyster Programs
can be found in Appendix II. The summaries include descriptions of
various sampling surveys and management programs already conducted
by the states. In addition to the research data on disease
(Strategies 1.2 and 1.3), the following research topics and data
needs should be encouraged:
1) Determine the density of spawning stock necessary to repopulate
an area decimated by disease;
2) Determine natural and fishing mortality rates;
3) Define stock/recruitment relationship;
4) Determine factors affecting abundance, survival and growth of
larvae and juveniles.
Strategy 5.1
The Bay jurisdictions will improve the collection of management
quality data.
20
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Actions:
5.1 The Bay jurisdictions will continue to collect
quantitative data on oyster stocks, habitat and diseases
and make the information available in an annual report.
Implementation 5.1
Annually.
5.2 VMRC will establish a computer data-base system for the
collection, storage and analysis on a bar-by-bar basis,
updated weekly, of information to estimate standing stock
and establish yearly catch quotas. Data will include
daily entries for total landings, boat numbers, landings
per boat, where harvested, and number of harvesters per
boat.
Implementation 5.2
1995
21
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Management Section 2.
Management for Maryland Oyster Recovery Areas (ORAs)
Due to the dominating impact of MSX and Dermo on Chesapeake
oyster stocks, geographic areas termed Oyster Recovery Areas
(ORAs), will be designated in low salinity reaches of the Bay and
its tributaries where MSX and Dermo are apparently less viable. The
objectives for managing these areas are 1) limit transplantation
activities which would serve to perpetuate MSX and Dermo in a
region and 2) evaluate different methods to rehabilitate, rebuild,
plant and otherwise restore oyster populations in these areas. The
following section describes the specific, intensive management
effort that will be implemented in the ORAs.
Strategy i
The implementation of activities within the ORAs by the MDNR will
be guided by an advisory committee.
Actions:
1.1 Each ORA advisory committee will be constituted by MDNR
and include representatives of the following
organizations and interests: watermen; aquaculture;
environmentalists; scientists; Departments of Natural
Resources, Agriculture, and Environment.
1.2 A technical committee of scientists will be established
to determine the experimental design and oversee the
monitoring and evaluation of the ORAs.
Strategy 2
Each ORA will be comprised of from one to three zones and must
include a Zone A and/or a Zone B. Specific activities will be
defined for each area.
Actions:
2.1 A) Zone A will be in the lowest salinity area of the ORA.
The following activities will apply:
1) Clam and oyster harvesting will be suspended for
five years, to reopen consistent with management
objectives.
2) Sections will be managed as ecological, brood
stock sanctuaries.
3) Natural bars will be rehabilitated to facilitate
natural set.
4) Intensive monitoring for MSX and Dermo will
occur.
5) Only certified seed will be planted on cultch
placed on prepared bottom. Plots may be used for
experimental off-bottom culture techniques and
other pilot programs. Other plots will be left
undisturbed for monitoring purposes.
6) A portion of the plantings will become a
22
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permanent sanctuary for broodstock.
7) Sections will be transferred to higher salinity
growout areas after 1, 2, and 3 years. Aquaculture
permits may be obtained for parallel grow-out
experiments using water column and floating raft
culture.
B) Zone B will be immediately downstream of Zone A, or in
a river without zone A. The following activities will
apply:
1) Shellfish harvesting will be allowed.
2) Only certified seed will be planted.
3) Natural bars will be rehabilitated.
4) There will be intensive monitoring for MSX and
Dermo
C) Zone C will be a large zone downstream from Zone B.
The following activities will apply:
1) Shellfish harvesting will be allowed.
2) Natural seed will be imported until it can be
replaced with certified seed.
3) Experimental seeding will be allowed in selected
areas.
4) Natural bars will be rehabilitated in selected
areas.
5) Intensive monitoring for MSX and Dermo will
occur.
6) One or more sanctuaries will be established to
test techniques for rebuilding and rehabilitating
oyster populations.
strategy 3
A subcommittee of the Oyster Roundtable will define the criteria
determining where the boundaries of ORAs are and submit them to
MDNR for their adoption by regulation.
Actions:
3.1 The Chester, Choptank, Magothy, Nanticoke, Patuxent, and
Severn Rivers will be designated as initial sites for
ORAs.
3.2 The Oyster Roundtable will review the progress of
activities in the initial ORAs and recommend the
designation of additional ORAs if warranted, with a long-
range objective of restoring and rebuilding all natural
bars.
23
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Section 3. Biological Background
American or eastern oysters occur along the east coast of
North America from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, Canada, to Key
Biscayne, Florida. In the Carribean, the range of American oysters
extends to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and the West Indies of
Venezuela. Chesapeake Bay, which provides optimal environmental
conditions for the species, is close to the center of its
geographical distribution. However, oyster production varies within
the Bay system depending on habitat conditions.
Oysters generally spawn from May through September in
Chesapeake Bay. Increases in water temperature to 18-20°C stimulates
spawning activity. Eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae that settle
to the bottom two to three weeks after hatching. They attach to
oyster shells or other hard substrates and the attaching phase is
termed "setting." The newly attached oysters are called "spat."
Oysters grow at the rate of about one inch per year. Growth rates
can be affected by temperature, food quantity, salinity and
parasitic infection. Shell growth usually occurs in the spring and
soft body tissue growth occurs after spawning. Oysters usually
enter the market three to five years after spat settlement.
Oysters are filter feeders and depend on phytoplankton for
their energy requirements. Oysters play an important role in
filtering the water. It has been hypothesized (Newell 1988) that
the decrease in oyster abundance in the Bay has contributed to an
apparent shift from microbial food webs to an increase in
zooplankton and their predators (ctenophores and jellyfish).
Biological Parameters
Natural mortality rate; Currently, very high due to disease
and freshwater inflow.
Fecundity; 5-15 million eggs at one spawning.
Smaller oysters produce less eggs
(See Figure 4).
Longevity; Up to 15 years.
Age at maturity; 2 years
Habitat Requirements (refer to Table 1)
Spawning season: May through September.
Spawning area: Throughout Chesapeake Bay.
24
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fecundity. 1 Chart 1
Oyster fecundity v. size
70 -r
60 --
50 --
0)
0)
» 40 +
W
c
I 30 +
E
20 --
10 --
0 -
0.6
1.4
1.8 2.2
inches
2.6
3.4
Page 1
-------
Table 1. Habitat requirements for oyster eggs, larvae, spat, and adults. Ranges are based on broad estimates and may vary with geographic
location (from Habitat Requirements for Chesapeake Bay Living Resources, 1991).
LIFE STAGE
Eggs
Larvae
Spat
Young
(30-50mm)
Adults
survival
feeding
growth
gametogenesis
spawning
LIFE
ZONE
water
column
water
column
hard
substrate
benthos
benthos
TEMP.'
°C
19-32
19-32
0-32+
0-32+
6-32;
(15-25
"optimum")
6-32;
(15-25
"optimum")
7.5-30+
20±
SALINITY*
ppt
12.5-35C
7.5-22.5'
12.5-27.0°
15.0-22.5'
0-36 +
5 +
12+
10+
10+
SEDIMENT*
gL-'
<0.25
<0.5
?
?
<0.4
7
?
?
PH
6.75-
8.75
6.75-
8.75
?
?
?
?
?
6-10
DISSOLVED O»
mgL-'
?
" e
g
<0 at IffC*
0.8-1 .49 at 20-0*
2.75-4.98 at 3ffC*
-1(5 days)
?
?
?
?
' Salinity can affect temperature tolerances, and vice versa. Tolerance to temperature is roughly adult=spat>veliger larvae >zygotes.
b Effects depend upon type and size of particle; experimental values have been higher than values normally encountered in nature except during
intense storms.
" Adults acclimated to 26.0-27.9 ppt; optimal egg development at 22.5 ppt and optimal larval growth at 17.5 ppt.
d Adults acclimated to 9 ppt; optimal egg developmental 10-15 ppt.
• Median mortality times in anoxia: 11 hours for 82jim larvae; larval swimming rates unaffected at O.SmgL1 for up to 12 hours.
' Spat had been set at near marine salinities.
• Median mortality times in anoxia: 150 hours for 16mm spat.
* LCM-PO2 (mgL-') causing 50% mortality after 28 days of exposure at 10, 20, and 3CPC, with oysters held at 10 ppt, 20 ppt, and 30 ppt at each
temperature.
-------
Habitat Issues
Some of the more important environmental factors affecting
oyster distribution include substrate type, depth, salinity, and
disease prevalence. Oysters need a clean, stable substrate on which
to set and grow. Soft mud, shifting sand or silted bottom are
unsuitable. Oysters are generally limited to waters less than 25'
deep due to hypoxic/anoxic conditions that develop in many deeper
waters of the Bay. Salinities above about 6-8 ppt increase oyster
mortality from predation and disease.
Man's activities have impacted the distribution and abundance
of oysters. Sediment from channel dredging, upland construction and
agricultural activities can smother oyster beds and foul cultch to
prevent setting. Nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment from sewage
treatment plants and agricultural runoff have increased the extent
of hypoxic and anoxic conditions. Sewage input results in high
coliform bacterial counts which force the closure of shellfish
harvesting areas close to the treatment outfall. In 1986 only
45,500 out of 158,900 acres in the James River were classified by
the National Shellfish Sanitation Program as approved shellfish
growing waters. Maryland oyster samples collected and analyzed from
1980-1986 revealed that heavy metal or PCB concentrations were
below action levels in all oyster growing areas sampled in the
state. However, these oysters did have levels higher than would be
found in a pristine environment.
Disease
Oyster diseases have been monitored and studied in the
Chesapeake Bay since the late 1950's. Increased natural mortality
has been linked to the spread and intensification of two parasites,
Perkinsus marinus (Dermo) and Haplosporidian nelsoni (MSX). These
parasites are single-celled organisms (protozoans) that infect
oysters but have no effects on humans, whether the oysters are
eaten raw or cooked. The exact mechanisms by which the parasites
kill the oysters are not understood. There are no known cures for
the diseases. The only strategy currently available is to move seed
oysters, less than 1 year old, to areas where diseases are less
prevalent to protect them while they are growing. These areas are
usually less saline and do not provide the best growth environment.
Low salinity areas rarely produce a good natural spat set. Without
seed plantings, these areas would not produce continuing harvests.
Seed areas are currently checked for disease during the fall and
spring disease surveys, prior to being transplanted to the upper
Bay and tributary grow-out areas.
There is no evidence that low levels of pollution have any
relationship either to susceptibility to the diseases or to their
virulence. There is also very little information that any habitat
factors except salinity and temperature, have any significant
effects on disease.
26
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Fishery Parameters
Status of exploitation: . Fully exploited.
Long term potential catch: Highly dependent on prevalence and
intensity of diseases, harvesting
and freshets.
Importance of recreational
fishery: Insignificant.
Importance of commercial
fishery: Historically, highly significant;
harvests have declined in the
Chesapeake region, oysters still
rank nationwide as one of the top
seafood species in dockside value.
Fishing mortality rates: Highly variable.
The Historic Fisheries
Before the turn of the century, over 10 million bushels of
oysters (which yielded approximately 64 million pounds of meat)
were harvested annually in Maryland by a large dredge fleet.
Virginia harvests at this time were approximately 6-7 million
bushels (38-45 million pounds of meat), and were harvested
primarily by hand tongers. Landings have declined dramatically
since that time and continue to show a downward trend. During the
past 30 years, oyster harvests in Maryland ranged from 3.2 million
bushels in 1973 to 124,000 bushels in 1993. In Virginia, the
harvest of market oysters ranged from 1.9 million bushels in 1964
to 64,500 bushels in 1993.
The Oyster Resource
The Baywide oyster stock can be characterized as severely
depleted. Recent expansions of the range of oyster diseases, MSX
and Dermo, low dissolved oxygen episodes and past harvesting
practices are primarily responsible for the population's current
decline. Average levels of spatfall have dropped in the past decade
and the number of natural beds receiving spatfall adequate for
replenishment has been reduced from historic levels. In Maryland,
the 1983 and 1984 spat sets were virtually non-existent. Although
the 1985 spatfall was exceptionally high and well distributed, the
year class has been effectively wiped out in those areas infected
by disease. Maryland's 1986 spatfall was considered average and of
limited distribution. Many of the 1986 year class have been
infected by MSX and Dermo and may be killed if high salinities
continue in the Maryland portion of the Bay. Continued low levels
and poor geographic distribution of spatfall levels occurred during
27
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1987 and 1988. The 1991 spat set was a record high.
Since 1985, the James River has become the center of the
market oyster landings in Virginia. The low number of surviving
spat and decreasing bushel counts of spat, small, and market
oysters, as determined from the VIMS oyster shoal surveys since the
spring of 1986, indicates that the James River is failing to match
the losses in number of oysters with an equal recruitment of spat.
Since 1992, spat set in the Piankatank, Great Wicomico and
Rappahannock Rivers have been at historically low levels.
Laws and Regulations
Limited entry:
Minimum size limit:
Daily catch limit:
Maryland adopted a limited entry to the
commercial fishery, April 1994, which
repeals the Delay of Application Process
of September 1, 1988, and allows MDNR to
limit the number of tidal fish licenses
which may be issued.
Virginia's delayed entry went into effect
December 1, 1992. It requires previously
unlicensed applicants to wait two years
after registering before a license to
harvest oysters with commercial gear will
be issued.
On the Potomac River, only Maryland and
Virginia residents may commercially
oyster.
Maryland - 3" with 5% tolerance, market
oysters with small oysters or spat
attached may be kept if separating the
small oysters or spat would kill them.
Potomac River- 3" with 5% tolerance,
however, market oysters with small
oysters attached must be returned if
separating them kills the small oyster
(including spat). High salinity areas 2
1/2" minimum and a 4" maximum.
Virginia - Clean cull areas - 3". No cull
size for seed areas and leased ground.
Recreational — Maryland, Potomac River
and Virginia: no license required for the
taking of one bushel per day from public
grounds.
Commercial — Maryland: shaft and patent
28
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Harvest quotas:
Season (actual
restrictions determined
prior to season)
and time
restrictions:
tongs, diving - 15 bushels per licensee,
but not to exceed 30 bushels per boat;
dredge boat - 150 bushels per boat; power
dredging (in designated waters of
Somerset county) - 12 bushels per
licensee but not to exceed 24 bushels per
boat.
Commercial—Potomac River: None.
Commercial — Virginia: None.
Virginia: variable by season and area.
Maryland - Shaft tongs, patent tongs and
diving: September 15 to March 31, Monday
through Saturday, sunrise to sunset,
except Worcester County where the season
is January 1 to December 31, Monday
through Saturday, sunrise to sunset.
Dredging: Sail dredging in designated
waters state-wide, November 1 to March
15, Monday through Saturday, sunrise to
sunset. Power dredging: in designated
waters of Somerset County, November 1 to
March 15, Monday through Saturday,
sunrise to 3 pm. Private grounds: no
seasonal restrictions, but harvesting
between sunset and sunrise or on Sunday
is prohibited.
Potomac River - Hand shaft tongs: October
1 through March 31. Hand Scrape: Months
of November, December and March. Hand
tongs, lawful only Monday through Friday
from sunrise to 12:00 noon EST. Hand
scrapes, lawful only Monday through
Thursday during March and Monday,
Wednesdays and Fridays during November
and December from 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon
each day
Virginia - Shaft tongs or hand tongs:
James River Seed Area, October 1 to July
1, sunrise to 12:00 noon. All other
public areas, October 1 to June 1,
sunrise to 12:00 noon. Private grounds,
no seasonal restrictions; but harvesting
29
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Gear Restrictions:
on Sunday or between sunset and sunrise
is prohibited.
Patent tongs: October 1 to March 1,
sunrise to sunset, for all public areas
not prohibited by Section 28.1-82 of the
Code of Virginia or VMRC Regulations and
Orders. October 1 to the last day of
February, sunrise to 2 p.m., in the
Piankatank River, Pocomoke Sound/Tangier
and Chesapeake Bay Management Areas.
Private grounds, Sunday and sunset to
sunrise harvesting is prohibited.
Dredge: Pocomoke/Tangier Management Area,
15 November-last day of February
(sunrise-2 P.M.). Chesapeake Bay
Management Area, 1 November-last day of
February (sunrise-2 P.M.). Private
grounds, generally no restrictions,
except Sunday and sunset to sunrise
harvesting is prohibited. Bay and
tributaries sunrise to 12:00 noon;
Seaside - sunrise to sunset.
Maryland - The legal gear types for
harvesting oysters in Maryland include
hand tongs, patent tongs, diving gear,
handscrapes and dredges. The use of each
gear type is restricted to certain
designated areas as set forth in
Maryland's laws and regulations. Dredges
or handscrapes cannot exceed 200 Ibs. in
weight or have a tooth bar greater than
42 inches in length (as measured from the
outside teeth) on dredges used on rock
bottom, or 44 inches in length for
dredges uses on mud bottom. No "devil
catch", "devil diver", or similar device
is to be attached to the dredge to steer
it to the bottom. No power boat may have
on board or in tow any gear used for
dredging unless it is permitted by the
Department to harvest oysters from leased
bottom, from State seed areas, or unless
it is a sail dredge boat using its yawl
boat on push days. On Monday and Tuesday
during the oyster dredging season a
dredge boat may be propelled by an
auxiliary yawl boat in certain areas.
Diving -each person engaged in the diving
operation must be licensed. Not more than
two divers can work from a boat at one
time. Each diver shall have one attendant
30
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on the boat. An International Code Flag
"A" of the proper specifications must be
displayed. Power assisted lifting devices
may be used subject to specified
conditions. Hand tong winders are
allowed.
Potomac River - Patent tongs and power or
sail scrapes or dredges, power or hand-
operated winch, spool, winder, ets. are
prohibited. Hand scrapes limited to 22"
catching bar. Diving for oysters limited
to recreational harvest of 1 bushel per
person per day. Legal gear types include
hand shaft tongs, power assisted hand
shaft tongs and hand scrape.
Virginia - Only one type of gear, either
hand tongs, patent tongs (limit of 2) or
a single dredge, is allowed on a vessel
at one time in the Pocomoke/Tangier and
Chesapeake Bay Management areas. Only one
type of gear, either hand tongs or patent
tongs (limit of 2) , is allowed on a
vessel at one time in the Piankatank
River Management Area. Patent tongs -the
teeth of patent tongs shall not exceed
four inches in length, and patent tongs
exceeding 100 pounds in gross weight,
including any attachments (excluding rope
for the taking or catching of oysters),
are prohibited. Dredge - a dredge and
attachment cannot exceed 100 pounds total
weight.
Area Restrictions: Maryland - Hand tongs are allowed
Statewide, with portions of most
tributaries reserved for hand tongs only.
Downstream of these areas, diving is
allowed. Patent tongs are permitted in
the mainstem Chesapeake Bay, the lower
Patuxent River and all of Somerset
County. Power dredging is restricted to
designated waters of Somerset County.
Sail dredging is restricted to the
Mainstem Bay, Tangier Sound, and portions
of the Choptank River.
Potomac River - No harvest allowed in 25
acre oyster sanctuary on Jones Shore.
Hand tongs, none except sanctuary. Hand
31
-------
scrapes, not allowed on Jones Shore or
above a line from Herring Creek, MD to
Bonum Creek, VA.
Virginia - Only hand tongs are permitted
in most areas, with patent tongs
restricted to those areas specified by
the Code of Virginia or VMRC Regulations
and Orders (Piankatank River, Chesapeake
Bay and Pocomoke/Tangier Management
Areas). Dredging is restricted to the
Pocomoke/Tangier and Chesapeake Bay
Management Areas.
Status of Traditional Fishery Management Approaches
Catch-Effort:
Estimates of mortality:
Yield-per-Recruit
(spat survival to
markets):
Stock-Recruitment:
Commercial fisheries data for Chesapeake
Bay are a reasonable indicator of the
current status of the marketable stock.
In Maryland and Virginia, catch and
effort statistics for the commercial
fishery are, in general, of low quality
and of limited value in developing
fisheries management models. The PRFC
catch and effort data are highly
reliable.
Depends on disease prevalence, freshets,
and harvesting.
Traditionally, very low.
The stock-recruitment relationship for
Chesapeake Bay oysters is unknown.
32
-------
References
Chesapeake Bay Program. 1989. Chesapeake Bay Oyster Management
Plan.
Kennedy, V.S. 1991. Eastern oyster. In: S.L. Funderburk, S.J.
Jordan, J.A. Mihursky, D. Riley (eds). Habitat requirements
for Chesapeake Bay living resources, Chesapeake Research
Consortium, Inc., Solomons, Maryland.
Newell, R.I. 1988. Ecological changes in Chesapeake Bay: Are they
the result of overharvesting the American oyster, Crassostrea
virginica? In: M. Lynch (ed.) Understanding the estuary:
Advances in Chesapeake Bay research. Chesapeake Research
Consortium Publication 129:536-546.
Myatt, E.N. and D.O. Myatt, III. 1990. A study to determine the
feasibility of building artificial reefs in Maryland's
Chesapeake Bay. MDNR, Tidewater Admin., Fish. Div.
International Weighmaster, Inc. contract #F167-89-008.
Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC). 1992. Oyster
restoration action agenda. Living Resources Subcommittee,
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Virginia Marine
Resources Commission.
Ulanowicz R.E. and J.H. Tuttle. 1992. The trophic consequences of
oyster stock rehabilitation in Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries
15(3)257-265.
33
-------
THE ROLE OF
X-
THE STATE OF MARYLAND
IN
OYSTER FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
RECOMMENDATIONS
OF THE GOVERNOR'S COMMITTEE
TO REVIEW STATE POLICY
FOR FUNDING
MARYLAND'S CHESAPEAKE FISHERIES
SEPTEMBER 1990
-------
SUMMARY
COMMITTEE TO REVIEW STATE POLICY FOR FUNDING
MARYLAND'S CHESAPEAKE FISHERIES
)
Charge; To review the condition of the resource, how DNR manages the
resource, and the costs and returns of management programs
to the State economy.
To recommend future management strategies and whether the
State should subsidize the programs.
Members; Dr. M. Gordon Wolraan, Chairman
Russel Dize Senator Lewis Riley
Earaonn McGeady Sam Shriver
Billy Martin Delegate John Slade
Dr. Roger Newell Dr. Ivar Strand
John Parran
Meetings; August 15, 1989 to August 15, 1990
Monthly
Topics Discussed: Watermen's Compensation Program
Freshwater Hatchery Program
Oyster Repletion Program
Reports; Watermen's Compensation Program - submitted June 1990
Freshwater Hatchery Program - submitted September 1990
Oyster Repletion Program - submitted September 1990,
released for distribution May 1991
Recommendations;
Watermen's Compensation Program
* Discontinue the Watermen's Compensation Program as structured.
* If data collection needs are justifiable, institute a new program
open to all gualified watermen.
Freshwater Hatchery Program
* Continue the freshwater hatchery program.
Oyster Repletion Program and Oyster Fishery
* Encourage the public fishery and develop the private fishery.
* Continue the repletion program but increase the financial
contribution made by the industry by raising license fees and
oyster taxes. Conversely, decrease the General Fund subsidy.
* Promote scientific rather than political management.
* Develop aquaculture by removing various legal impediments,
increasing the bottom available for leasing, and permitting the
use of the water column.
* Intensify enforcement.
* Develop knowledge of oyster pathology, ecology, markets.
* Develop and enforce standard weights, measures, and minimum
quality.
* Scientifically/quantitatively assess oyster stocks, monitor
production and evaluate the quality of oyster beds.
June 1991
-------
MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS
The situation in Maryland's oyster industry is dire and the
State must make some crucial changes if the industry is to
rebound. Recent outbreaks of oyster disease, past mismanagement
and an ever-competitive marketplace have reduced the Maryland
oyster industry and resource to near obscurity. To restore it to
economic, social and ecological significance, major shifts in
policy must be made. We recommend that the State of Maryland:
4
1. Encourage both the enhancement of the public oyster fishery
and the development of a private fishery. Public access to
natural oyster beds, a part of Maryland's heritage, should be
sustained by continuing the oyster repletion program. The
promise of the private fishery must be encouraged by the
State through research, permitting processes and law
enforcement.
2. Continue to enhance the public fishery through the repletion
program but insist that an increasing share of its costs be
borne by the public fishery. The repletion program is needed
for production from public beds and the industry alone is
currently unable to bear the entire cost of the program.
Current policy should be directed towards generating more tax
revenue from the public fishery to offset the existing
subsidy in the repletion program. Thus, gradual increases in
-------
taxes should be instituted with a long-run goal of program
self-sufficiency. To implement this recommendation, we
suggest that:
a. The existing severance tax be revised to be a fixed
percentage of dockside price and increased to reflect the
resources scarcity. When established at its present
level in 1982, the current tax of $.45/bushel represented
about 5% of the dockside price. The present tax rate is
1.8% of the dockside value. Existing circumstances
warrant a tax increase to at least the 1982 percentage
rate.
b. The export tax be raised from its current level to an
amount not less than the replacement costs of exported
shell. When oysters are exported from Maryland, all
legal remedies to guarantee the return of shell are lost.
The replacement cost of the lost shell thus should be
charged on exports.
c. The license fees for public harvesters should be raised
from the current $50 per licensee to $350 per licensee.
Some of the costs of the repletion program are
essentially overhead, with benefits accruing to all (for
example, policing sanctuaries). Raising license fees
will assure coverage of fixed costs.
-------
3. Review the industry's legal and regulatory framework with the
goal of promoting scientific management and enhancing the
efficiency of public harvesters. The regulatory framework
which has accumulated over the last century is unresponsive
to current circumstances.
4. Remove certain legal impediments constraining the production
of oysters through private aquaculture. Although there
appears to be great promise for production from oyster
aquaculture, it must be encouraged by:
a. expanding the bottom available for private leasing;
b. establishing a process to permit use of the water column;
c. increasing the leasehold fee (from $3.50 annual per acre)
to provide funds for enforcing leasehold rights and to
discourage unproductive use of leases.
5. intensify the enforcement of regulations related to Maryland
oyster production. The protection of oyster sanctuaries,
enforcement of leasehold rights and the collection of taxes
must be guaranteed to assure equity among industry
participants and public trust in the programs of the State.
-------
6. Increase its knowledge of oyster pathology/ ecology and
markets. Oyster diseases have recently plagued the industry.
A greater understanding of oysters, their diseases and
alternatives to avoid them is critical in developing plans
for the future of the industry. This should be done in
cooperation with adjacent states, the Potomac River Fisheries
Commission and the Federal Government. Likewise, reaching
aquaculture's potential may only be possible through
developing new seed technologies, new product forms and new
markets.
7. Develop and enforce standard weights, measures and minimum
quality both to protect consumers and to enhance demand.
While efforts cannot be completely independent of Federal
standards, the State, in conjunction with adjacent states,
must develop and enforce internally consistent, replicable
standards essential to a modern commercial enterprise.
Quality control of the. oyster product must be guaranteed so
that consumer perceptions of Maryland's oyster quality are
maintained or improved.
8. Strengthen its role in assessing oyster stocks, monitoring
production and evaluating the quality of oyster beds. in
order to determine policy, appraise programs and assure
consumer safety, effort is required to collect, assimilate
and analyze data. Both the public and private fisheries will
-------
require careful scientific management on the part of the
State. Use of less political influence and more scientific
information in the allocation of resources within and between
the public and private, fishery is essential.
-------
REPORT OF THE "BLUE RIBBON" PANEL
Prepared in late 1991 by a 33-member advisory panel of
scientists, environmentalists, watermen, planters, economists,
and others, this report (also, "The Holton Plan") sets forth
issues and recommendations for restoring Virginia's oyster
industry. Four potential oyster sources are considered:
• Traditional state and private culture of C. virginica;
• Off-bottom culture in approved waters;
• On-bottom culture of a non-native speces (C. gigas);
• On-shore depuration of moderately polluted oysters.
The eight recommendations in the Holton Plan are summarized
below:
o Data Collection and Monitoring — The State should
establish computerized data base systems for detailed
collection, storage, and analysis of stock assessment
data and landings data, as well as for detailed moni-
toring of the Virginia repletion program.
o Legislation — The Virginia Marine Resources Commission
should be empowered to control or limit entry to the
commercial fishery, enabling the VMRC to protect the
full-time fishermen and the resource.
o Repletion -- The State should establish a repletion
program for the public fishery, based upon oyster
biology and river dynamics, and assure systematic
monitoring of the program. The strategy should include
programs to:
Restore two sanctuary reefs in the James and
Rappahannock rivers, and cover them with seed
oysters to maintain biological stock close to
harvest areas (adjacent beds);
Prepare nearby beds to receive spawn from the
sanctuaries, and monitor growth, harvest to quo-
tas, close beds, and repeat;
Plant seed in low-set areas but with good growth
potential, in the Mobjack River and the Pocomoke-
Tangier areas; monitor, harvest, close, and re-
peat.
Initially, this should be a three-year program, with
thorough data collection and monitoring, followed by an
evaluation of the repletion strategy.
0 Market Evaluation and Development -- Commission a joint
effort with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science
(VIMS) and Virginia Tech to examine the marketing
-------
potential of current oyster products, and possible new
product lines, including depurated oysters. In addi-
tion/ there should be a joint industry-academic study
to evaluate current state-funded marketing programs and
recommend new or expanded marketing strategies for
Virginia seafood products. Finally, a marketing and
economics advisory agent should be appointed through
VIMS to develop economic markets for off-bottom cul-
tured oysters, and to work closely with aquaculturists
and others in the industry.
Off-Bottom Culture — The State should identify areas
as appropriate, marginal, or non-appropriate for aqua-
culture (VIMS), and establish regulations and a permit-
ting process for off-bottom oyster culture (VMRC). To
encourage start-up of private hatcheries, VIMS should
draft model tax incentive legislation. A technical
advisory agent shold be appointed through VIMS, who
will specialize in hatchery matters.
Depuration — The VMRC should estimate oyster stocks
and potential daily supplies of clean and depurable
oysters from public and private sources, both on- and
off-bottom, supplies that will support year-round
depuration plant operations. After a complete economic
analysis of such a facility (VIMS), cooperating State
agencies should design a pilot plant. If economic
analyses warrant, the State should establish a public-
private partnership to construct an experimental depu-
ration facility, and design a fee system to make it
self-supporting.
Management of Public Grounds — This recommendation
addresses specific management steps for the James and
Rappahannock rivers, Pocomoke/Tangier sounds, Seaside
Eastern Shore, Mobjack Bay, and the Piankatank and
Great Wicomico rivers. Included in these specific
steps are limits on shaft length of tongs, quotas,
changes in cull length, increases in sanctuary size,
new repletion strategies, and harvest prohibitions in
some areas.
Introduction of Non-Native Species -- The State (VIMS)
should conduct full laboratory tests of Crassostrea
gigas, investigating temperature and salinity toleranc-
es, as well as ecological relationships. If prelimi-
nary tests warrant, a pilot study in the York River
should be established to evaluate C. gigas' ability to
grow and reproduce in a natural Bay environment. These
studies should include evaluations of disease resis-
tance. Based on success of preliminary studies, C.
sanctury reefs should be expanded.
-------
A SUMMARY OF THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
1993 OYSTER PROGRAM
An Index of Survey and Program Sites, Available Data and Reports, and Source Contacts
Prepared by Maryland Department Of Natural~Resources
Tidewater Administration
Fisheries Division, Shellfish Program
April, 1994
-------
This report includes, by location, the 1993 effort associated with various surveys and management
programs conducted by Maryland's Department of Natural Resources Shellfish Group. These are indexed
by program and by the location of data files. A substantial amount of this information is stored on
computer files and these are noted in this report. Data source contacts and a brief description of each
program are included. Computer stored data are kept on the following software packages:
Spreadsheet: Quattro Pro 5.0 for Dos and for Window and Axum 3.0.
Database: dBase III* and IV, mBase, and Paradox 1.5.
GIS: Map info for Windows.
-------
REGION
UPPER BAY EAST
CHESTER RIVER:
UPPER CHESTER
LOWER CHESTER
KENT SHORE
MILES RIVER
WYE RIVER
EASTERN BAY:
NORTH
OYSTER BAR
DEEP SHOAL
TOLCHESTER
HODGES
SWANP01NT
SHEEP
EMORYHOLLOW
SPANIARD POINT
CUFF
EBB POINT
DRUM POINT
BOATHOUSE
OLDFIELD
CHESTER RIVER MIDDLEGROUND
BLUFFPOINT
HELL'S DELIGHT
BAY BUSH POINT
PINEY POINT
DURDIN
HORSERACE
CARPENTER ISLAND
BUOY ROCK
WICKES BEACH
LOVE POINT
BROAD CREEK
BRICK HOUSE
GRAVEYARD (KENTPOINT)
LONG POINT
SECOND POINT
ASH CRAFT
HERRING ISLAND
COFFEE
TURTLEBACK
WHETSTONE
MILLS
BRUFFS ISLAND
BUGBY
MILL HILL
BALD EAGLE ADDITION #3
SAWMILL CREEK
HOOD
WELL COVE
WALTER WHITE
DOMINION
PARSON'S ISLAND NARROWS ADDITION
PROGRAM
DATA CONTACT
FS
FS
FS;SA
MFSD;SA;FT;SSRP3
FS;SA
FS;SA
FS;FT;SSRP1
FS;SSRP1
FS;SSRP1
FS
FS;SSRP1
MFSD;SA;SSRP1
FS;SSRP1
FS;SSRP1
FS;SSRPl
FS
FS;FT;SSRP1
FS;SSRP1
FS;SA;SSRP1
FS;SA
MFSD;SA;FT
FS;SSRP1
FS;FT;SSRP1
FS
FS;SA
FS
MFSD
FS
MFS
FS
FS
MFSD
FS
FS
MFSD
MFSD
FS
FS;SSRP3
FS
FS;SSRP3
FS
FS
FS
FS;SA
MA
MA
MA;PP
OXL;PP;PP;TA
MA;PP
MA;PP
MA;PP;TA
MA;TA
MA;TA
MA
MA;TA
OXL;PP;TA
MA'TA
MA;TA
MA;TA
MA
MA;PP;TA
MA;TA
MA;PP;TA
MA;PP
OXL;PP;PP
MA;TA
MA;PP;TA
MA
MA;PP
MA
OXL
MA
OXL
MA
MA
OXL
MA
MA
OXL
OXL
MA
MA;TA
MA
MA;TA
MA
MA
MA
MA;PP
-------
REGION
EASTERN BAY NORTH (cont)
SOUTH
WYE RIVER
MILES RIVER
TALBOT SHORE
POPLAR ISLAND NARROWS
OYSTER BAR
PARSON'S ISLAND
CEDAR ISLAND
TURKEY POINT
JONES HOLE
RINGOLD MIDDLEGROUND
WILD GROUND
HOLLICUTTS NOOSE
TILGHMANS POINT
COOPERS HOLLOW
WHETSTONE
MILLS
BRUFFS ISLAND
LONG POINT
SECOND POINT
ASH CRAFT
HERRING ISLAND
TURTLEBACK
COFFEE
POPLAR ISLAND
STONEROCK
SHELL HILL
PROGRAM
MFSD;SA
FS
FS
FS
FS
MFS
MFSD;SA
FS
FS;SA
FS
FS
MFSD
MFSD
FS
MFS
FS
MFSD
FS
FS
MFSD;SA*
DATA CONTACT
OXL;PP
MA
MA
MA
MA
OXL
OXL;PP
MA
MA;PP
MA
MA
OXL
OXL
MA
OXL
MA
OXL
MA
MA
OXL;PP
MFS
OXL
CHOPTANK RIVER:
UPPER CHOPTANK
MIDDLE CHOPTANK
DRUM POINT
CABIN CREEK ENTRANCE
CABIN CREEK
SPAR BUOY
TANNERS PATCH
JAMAICA POINT
DKON
MILL DAM
GOOSE POINT
BRITISH HARBOUR
OYSTER SHELL POINT
CHANCELLORS POINT
BLACK BUOY
STATES BANK
SUGAR LOAF
SHOAL CREEK
BOUNBROKE SANDS
GREEN MARSH
KIRBY
HAMBROOKS
DICKINSON
SANDY HILL
SANDY HILL ADDITION
FS;SA*;SSRP4
SA';SSRP4
FS;SA;FT;SSRP4
SA
FS:SA;SSRP4
SA* ~
FS;SA;SSRP5
FS;SA;FT;SSRP3;SSRP5
SA'
SA
MFSD;SA;FT
SA*
FS.FT
SA*
SA*
FS;SA*
FS:SA*
FS;SA"
FS;SA*
SA'
FS
MFSD;SA;FT
SA
MA;PP;TA
PP;TA
MA;PP;PP;TA
PP
MA;PP;TA
PP
MA;PP;TA
MA;PP;PP;TA;TA
PP
PP
OXL;PP:PP
PP
f.lA;PP
PP
PP
MA;PP
MA;PP
MA;PP
MA;PP
PP
MA
OXL;PP;PP
PP
-------
REGION
MIDDLE CHOPTANK (cant)
LOWER CHOPTANK
TRED AVON RIVER
BROAD CREEK
HARRIS CREEK
TRIPPESBAY
LITTLE
CHOPTANK RIVER
OYSTER BAR
HOWELLS POINT
HORNS POINT ADDITION
BEACONS
CHLORA POINT
LIGHTHOUSE
CHOPTANK LUMPS
TODD POINT
DAWSON
FRANCE
COOK'S POINT
DOUBLE MILLS
PECK'S POINT
TOWN POINT
STONE CHURCH
FOXHOLE
BACHELOR POINT
MULBERRY PONT
DEEPNECK
BROWN
GREATBAR
ROYSTON
IRISH CREEK
LTTTLENECK
MILL POINT
EAGLE POINT (LOMAX)
CHANGE
TILGHMAN WHARF
GREAT MARSH
BRANNOCK
BRANNOCK ADDITION
DIAMOND
HILLS POINT NORTH
TOWN POINT
GRAPEVINE
BUTTERPOT
CASON
SUSQUEHANNA
SLAUGHTER CREEK
CATORS
RAGGED POINT
PEANUT HILL
CEDAR COVE
LITTLE CHOPTANK
PROGRAM
FS;SA*
FS
FS;SA*
FS;SA*
DATA CONTACT
MA;PP
MA
MA;PP
MA;PP
MFSD;SA*
SA*
FS
FS;SA
FS;SA*
MFSD;SA
MFSD
FS
FS;SA*
FS
FS;SA
FS;SA*
SAS
MFSD
FS
FS
MFSD
FS;SA*
FS
SA*;SAS
MFS
SA*
MFSD
FS;SSRP3
SA
SA
FS
FS
FS;SAS
FS
FS
MFSD
FS
FS
FS
MFSD;SAS
SAS
SAS
SAS
OXL;PP
PP
MA
MA;PP
MA.-PP
OXL;PP
OXL
MA
MA;PP
MA
MA;PP
MA;PP
MA/OXL
OXL
MA
MA
OXL
MA;PP
MA
PP'.MA/OXL
OXL
PP
OXL
MA;TA
PP
PP
MA
MA
MA;MA/OXL
MA
MA
OXL
MA
MA
MA
OXL; MA/OXL
MA
MA
MA
DORCHESTER SHORE
PUNCH ISLAND CREEK
FS
MA
-------
REGION
HONG A RIVER
HOOPER STRAITS
HOLLAND STRAITS
KEDGES STRAITS
TANGIER SOUND:
UPPER
MIDDLE
LOWER
OYSTER BAR
TUBMAN'S DRAIN
SMOKE POINT
LAKES COVE
WINDMILL
LONG POINT
NORMAN ADDITION*!
LIGHTHOUSE
HOOPER STRAITS ADDITIONS
HOLLAND STRAITS WEST
HOLLAND STRAITS
OYSTER CREEK
WESTERN ISLANDS
KEDGES STRAIT
SHARKFIN SHOAL
HAINES
MUD ROCK
HOLLAND STRAITS
TURTLE EGG ISLAND
CHAIN SHOAL
MUSSEL HOLE
GRAVEYARD
PINEY ISLAND WEST
PINEY ISLAND EAST
HARRIS ADDITION
FLACK COVE (BACK COVE)
TERRAPIN SANDS INNER ADDITION
TERRAPIN SANDS INNER
OLDWOMANSLEG
GREAT ROCK
PROGRAM
FS
FS
FS;SA*
MFS;SA*
FS
MFSD;MS
FS
FS
FS
MFSD
FS
SAS;SSRP2
SAS
MFSD;SA;MS
FS
FS
FS
MFS
FS;SA'
FS
£4*
FS
MFSD;SA';MS
FS
MFSD;SA';SSRP2
FS
FS;SA*
MFSD;SSRP3
MFS
DATA CONTACT
MA
MA
MA;PP
OXL;PP
MA
OXL.-MA
MA
MA
MA
OXL
MA
MA;TA
MA
OXL;PP;MA
MA
MA
MA
OXL
MA;PP
MA
PP
MA
OXL;PP;MA
MA
OXL;PP;TA
MA
MA;PP
OXUTA
OXL
FISHING BAY
NANTICOKEAND
WICOMICO RIVERS
HALF-WAY MARK
HILL
OLD HOUSE
GOOSE CREEK
WARE SANDS
TEDIOUS CREEK
CLAY ISLAND
EVANS
UPPER STAKE
WETIPQUIN
HICKORY NUT
CEDAR SHOAL
LONG SHOAL
CHERRY TREE
OUTER HOLE
FS
FS
FS
MFSD
SA
FS
MFS
FS
MS
MFS;MS
FS;SSRP1
FS;SA
FS
FS
SA
MA
MA
MA
OXL
PP
MA
OXL
MA
MA
OXL;MA
MA;TA
MA;PP
MA
MA
PP
-------
REGION
NANTICOKEAND
WICOMICO RIVERS (cant)
MANOKINRIVER
BIG
ANNEMESSEX RIVER
LITTLE
ANNEMESSEX RIVER
POCOMOKESOUND
LOWER BAY EAST
UPPER BAY WEST
UPPER ANNE
ARUNDEL SHORE
LOWER ANNE
ARUNDEL SHORE
OYSTER BAR
BEAN SHOAL
WILSON SHOALS
ROARING POINT EAST
MIDDLEGROUND
MOUNT VERNON
GREATSHOALS
EVANS
HALLS POINT
WHITE SHOALS
GEORGES
MARSHYISLAND
DRUM POINT
PINEY ISLAND SU'ASH
MINE CREEK
BIG ANNEMESSEX
OLD HOUSE COVE
MARUMSCO
GUNBY
FLAT ROCK
WARE ROCK
TERRAPIN LEAD
OLD ROCKS
CHURCH CREEK
FOG POINT
COAL LUMP
GALES LUMPS
MAN-O-WAR SHOALS
BODKIN POINT NORTH
SEVEN FOOT KNOLL
SK FOOT KNOLL
CRAIGHILL LUMPS
MOUNTAIN POINT
OUTER MAGOTHY
SANDY POINT SOUTH
HACKETT POINT
TOLLY POINT
THOMAS POINT NORTH
THREE SISTERS
WILD GROUND
HOLLAND POINT
PROGRAM
FS
MFS;SA;MS
FS
MFS
MFS
FS
MFS;SA
FS;SA
FS;SSRP3
MFSD
FS
MFS
FS
FS
FS
FS
MFSD
MFS
FS
FS
FS
FS
DATA CONTACT
MA
OXL;PP;MA
MA
OXL
OXL
MA
OXL.PP
MA'PP
MA;TA
OXL
MA
OXL
MA
MA
MA
MA
OXL
OXL
MA
MA
MA
MA
FS
SAS;SSRP2
FS
FS;SA
FS;SA";FT
HS
FS;SA'
FS;FT
FS.'SSRPI
MFS;FT
FS
FS;FT
MFSD;SA;FT;SSRP1
FS;SSRP1
FS;SSRP1
MFS;SSRP1
FS
MFSD
MA
MA/OXL:TA
MA
MA;PP
MA;PP;PP
PP
MA;PP
MA;PP
MA;TA
OXL;PP
MA;PP
MA;PP
OXL;PP;PP;TA
MA;TA
MA;TA
OXL'JA
MA
OXL
SEVERN RIVER
FERRY POINT
HS
TA
-------
REGION
SOUTH RIVER
UPPER CALVERT SHORE
LOWER CALVERT SHORE
PATUXENT RIVER:
UPPER
MIDDLE
LOWER
ST. MARTS SHORE
POTOMAC RIVER:
UPPER
MIDDLE
OYSTER BAR
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING
SWAN REEF
MARSHY POINT
HOG POINT ADDITION
FLAG POND
LITTLE COVE POINT
SIMMONS
HOG ISLAND
HOLLAND POINT
BUZZARD ISLAND
BROAD NECK
THOMAS
PRISON POINT
JACKS MARSH
BROOME ISLAND
GATTON
HELLEN
HAWKSNEST
BARN GATES
HUNGERFORD HOLLOW
BACK OF THE ISLAND
TOWN CREEK
SANDY POINT LUMPS
SWASH
SOUTHEAST MIDDLEGROUND
CEDAR POINT HOLLOW
ROCKY BEACH
SHAVING PILE ADDITION
BUTLER
POINT LOOK-OUT
BEACON
POPES CREEK
PASCAHANNA
LOWER CEDAR POINT
SWAN POINT
STONY POINT
WATSONS
COLONIAL BEACH
GUM
OLD FARMS
COBB ISLAND
SHEEPSHEAD BAY
HERON ISLAND
PROGRAM
SAS
FS
FS
FS
MFSD
FS;SA*
FS;SA*
MFSD;SA
DATA CONTACT
TA
MA
MA
MA
OXL
MA;PP
MA;PP
OXL;PP
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
MFSD
FS
FS
FS
SA*
FS
MFS
FS
SA*;HS
FS
FS;SSRP3
FS
FS
FS
MFSD;SA
SAS;SSRP2
FS;FT
FS;FT
FS;SA*;FT
MFSD;SA*;FT;SAS
FS;SA';FT
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS;SA*
FS;SAS
FS
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
OXL
MA
MA
MA
PP
MA
OXL
MA
PP;PP
MA
MA;TA
MA
MA
MA
OXL
PP;TA
MA;PP
MA;PP
MA;PP;PP
OXL;PP;PP;MA/OXL
MA;PP;PP
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA;PP
MA;MA/OXL
MA
-------
REGION OYSTER BAR
POTOMAC RIVER MIDDLE (com) KINGSCOPSICO
MUGGINS POINT
POSEYS BLUFF
COLES POINT
RAGGED POINT
BLAKE CREEK
LOWER
WICOMICO RIVER
ST CLEMENTS AND
BRETON BAYS
ST MARY'S RIVER:
UPPER
LOWER
ST. GEORGES CREEK
PINEY POINT HOLLOW (PINEY POINT)
ST. GEORGES ISLAND
KITTS
JONES SHORE
CORNFIELD HARBOR
BONUMS
LYNCH POINT
THICKETPOINT
HOG ISLAND
GREATNECK
KEY
STODDARD
COHOUCK
CHAPTICO LUMPS
MILLS WEST
WINDMILL
BRAMLEIGH CREEK
WHITE POINT
LANCASTER
ROCK POINT
MOUTH OF RIVER
ST. CATHERINE
SILVER SPRING
GUEST MARSHES
ABELL
BLACK WALNUT
BLUE SOW
DUKEHART CHANNEL
HORSESHOE
PAGAN
SEMINARY
GRAVELLYRUN
COPPAGE
THOMPSON CREEK
CHERRY
CHICKEN COCK
HURDLE
PINEY POINT AOJJACULTVRE LEASE
PROGRAM
FS
FS
FS
FS
MFSD;SA
FS
FS
FS
FS;SAS
SA*;SAS
MFSD;SA;HS
FS
FS
FS
FS
FS
FT;SA"
FS'.SA'-.FT
SA*;FT
FS
MFSD;SA*
FS;SA*;SSRP3
FS;SA*
FS;SA*
MFSD;SA";FT
FS-.SSRP1
FS;SA*
FS;FT;SSRP1
FS
FS
FS
MFS
MFS
MFS
FS
MFSD
SAS;HS
SAS
FS
FS
FS
MFSD.SA
FS
SAS
DATA CONTACT
MA
MA
MA
MA
OXL;PP
MA
MA
MA
MA;MA/OXL
PP-.MA/OXL
OXL;PP;PP
MA
MA
MA
MA
MA
PP;PP
MA;PP;PP
PP;PP
MA
OXL;PP
MA;PP;TA
MA;PP
MA;PP
OXL;PP;PP
MA;TA
MA;PP
MA;PP;TA
MA
MA
MA
OXL
OXL
OXL
MA
OXL
MA/OXL;MA
MA/OXL
MA
MA
MA
OXL;PP
MA
PP
8
-------
REGION
SMITH CREEK
CHINCOTEAGUEBAY:
UPPER
LOWER
OYSTER BAR
GRAVES
BARNES POINT
CALVERTBAY
SOUTH POND
SOUTH POND ADDITION
HANDYS HAMMOCK
LAMBERSTON LANDING
ENNIS
TURPIN
ROBINS MARSH
ROBINS MARSH ADDITION
SCARBORO CREEK ADDITION
NEWPORT
DIAMOND
MARTONPOINT
KENNEL
TOBY
WHITEROCK
STRIKING MARSH
PROGRAM
FS
FS
SAS
COS
COS
COS
COS
COS
COS
COS
COS
COS
COS
COS
COS
COS
COS
COS
DATA CONTACT
MA
MA
MA
PP
PP
PP
PP
PP
PP
PP
PP
PP
PP
PP
PP
PP
PP
PP
-------
Key to Program Abbreviations.
Abbreviation
FS
MFS (MFSD)
SA (SA*)
FT
MS
HS
SAS
COS
SSRP:
l-Seed Planting;
2- Dredged Shell Planting;
3-Freih Shell Planting;
4 -Pollute Planting, Source
5 -Pollute Plantin,
Location.
Program Name
Annual Fall Survey.
Modified Fall Survey
(Disease Survey).
Oyster Stock
Assessment Program.
Freshet Watch Survey
Oyster Mortality
Survey
Oyster Habitat
Survey
Seed Area Survey
Chincoteague Bay
Shellfish Inventory
Seed and Shell
Repletion Program.
Site
Baywide, 300 to 400
oyster bars.
Baywide, 64 "key"
bars, 43 disease bars.
Baywide, 20,000 to
30,000 acres
annually.
Baywide, 18 bars.
Lower Bay, 10-12
oyster bars.
Baywide, site number
highly variable.
Baywide, variable
number of sites.
Coastal Bays, 2,300
acres of oyster bars.
Baywide, highly
variable number of
sites.
Sampling Period
Oct.- Nov.
Oct.- Nov.
March- Nov.;
SA* lists surveys
prior to 1993.
May- July
June- Aug.
March- Dec.
Spring and Fall
—
April- Nov.
April- Aug.
Sampling Gear
Oyster dredge.
Oyster dredge.
Patent tongs.
Oyster dredge.
Oyster dredge.
Dredge, patent
tongs, acoustics.
Oyster dredge.
Hydraulic clam
escalator, handscrape
Plantings made by
various vessels.
10
-------
Key to Data Contact Abbreviations.
ABBREVIATION
DATA CONTACT
LOCATION
PERSON/PHONE NUMBER
MA
Matapeake Terminal, Fisheries
Division.
Roy Scott/
410-643-6785.
PP
Piney Point Aquaculture
Center, Fisheries Division.
Mark Homer/
301-994-0214.
TA
Tawes Building, Fisheries
Division.
William Outten, Chris Judy/
410-974-3733.
OXL
Cooperative Oxford
Laboratory, Chesapeake Bay
Research and Monitoring
Division.
Steve Jordan, Gary Smith,
George Krantz/
410-226-0078.
11
-------
SYNOPSIS OF OYSTER PROGRAMS
Fall Survey
Initiated in 1939, this survey was designed to provide geographically extensive information on
the quality of oyster populations and habitat and to assess spatset. During most years, between 300 and
400 oyster bars are sampled as are numerous seed and shell planting sites. Since 1960, the Oyster Disease
Survey has been concurrent with the Fall Survey and in 1990 the Modified fall Survey (see below) was
implemented. Samples are collected from oyster dredge tows with data recorded from 0.5 bushel (26 liter)
subsamples. Records include the number of live spat, smalls, and markets, the number and stage of dead
oysters (boxes), conditional oyster data, and the extent and type of fouling on bottom material. In
addition, live oyster size ranges and averages are noted, as are water quality data, the type of sample site,
ie. natural, planted with seed, etc., and the geographical position of the sample. A summary of spatfall
and oyster parasite data are included in an annual Fall Survey report. Data records are kept on file at the
Matapeake Terminal.
Modified Fall Survey/Disease Survey
The Modified Fall Survey focuses on a subset of 64 oyster bars that are annually surveyed.
Sampling on these sites involves the collection of 5 independent 0.2 bushel replicate samples. From each
of the 5 samples data are recorded on the number of spat, shell heighT measurements of each live and
dead oyster (grouped into 5mm interval categories), and the stage of each oyster box. Additional
information as described for the Fall Survey are taken from a pooled sample. At the Disease Survey
locations, a subset of 43 of the "key" bars, 30+ oysters >50mm are randomly selected and shipped to
the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory for disease analysis. Data from the Modified Fall Survey and from
the Disease Survey are stored in database files linked to a GIS at the Oxford facility. Data from these
surveys are included in an annual report.
12
-------
Oyster Stock Assessment Program
Using a 1m2 patent long-based, randomly initiated systematic sampling scheme, this program
obtains unbiased estimates of oyster abundance and shell quantity. Since its implementation in 1990, this
monitoring program has surveyed over 50,000 acres of charted oyster bottom in Maryland's Chesapeake
Bay. Field records include the stations (corrected) latitude and longitude estimates of the number and
volume of live and spat, smalls, and markets per unit area, the size class distribution of live and dead
oysters, volumetric estimates, per unit area, of surface and subsurface (gray) oyster shell, softclam shell,
recurved mussel shell, and live tunicates, and bottom type and depth. Between 30 and 40 different oyster
bars are surveyed each year, with a subset of 15 oyster bars monitored on an annual basis. Between 5,000
and 10,000 acres of oyster grounds previously surveyed in 1975 using similar sampling techniques are
resurveyed. Data are stored at the Piney Point facility on spreadsheet and database files linked to a GIS.
Annual reports are prepared for the Oyster Stock Assessment Program.
Winter 1993 Freshet Survey
Following the unusually wet winter of 1993, a survey was initiated during May, 1993 to track
freshet related oyster mortality. Sampling was conducted using a handscrape on oyster bars in the
Potomac, Wicomico, Chester, and Choptank Rivers and in the Upper Bay. The Eastern Shore tributary
and Upper Bay oyster populations were sampled once, as the freshet was relatively shortlived in these
areas. The Potomac and Wicomico Rivers were surveyed intensively, every ten days, over a two month
period as freshet effects in these systems persisted. Data recorded included the number of live spat,
smalls, and markets and the number and stage of spat, smalls, and market boxes. Conditional oyster
information was kept along with water quality data and size range information. Interval and cumulative
oyster mortality was calculated. All data were entered and stored in spreadsheet and database files at the
Piney Point facility and two reports were prepared.
13
-------
Ovster Mortality Survey
Previously referred to as the "bay Peak", this effort generally takes place during the summer
months. It's purpose is to provide an early check on the status of oyster parasite infection and related
oyster mortality rates. The biological data are kept on file at the Matapeake Terminal with oyster disease
information entered and stored at the Oxford Laboratory.
Habitat Surveys
These are special surveys made when issues arise over the use or proposed use of oyster bottom.
Generally dredge-based, these surveys have also used patent tongs, hand tongs, and acoustic gear to
assess oyster populations and habitat. Survey results are generally included in reports or memos with
some data stored on computer files. Field data are kept at the Tawes Building, while computer file
records are stored at the Piney Point facility.
Seed Area Surveys
M
During the Annual Fall Survey, seed oyster, dredged shell, and fresh shell planting sites are
surveyed to provide information on the biological status of seed oysters from shell and hatchery plantings.
These data are on file at the Matapeake Terminal with disease data stored in the oyster database located
at the Oxford facility. Seed tracking information is included in the annual Fall Survey report.
Chincoteague Bay Shellfish Inventory ~~
In 1993, a program was initiated to survey shellfish resources in Maryland's coastal bays. During
the first year, surveys were conducted on hardclam beds using a commercial hydraulic escalator dredge.
Numerous sampling locations were on previously charted oyster bottom allowing for the accumulation
of data on the current structural status of these areas. In 1994, a more focused effort on the old oyster
bars is scheduled with handscrape samples to be collected from most of these sites. In addition, surveys
of the intertidal zones are planned. All data are stored at the Piney Point facility in spreadsheet and
database files linked to a Gis. Quarterly and annual reports are prepared.
14
-------
Seed and Shell Repletion Program
Since 1961, Maryland has conducted a program to rehabilitate oyster bars through the planting
of dredged and fresh oyster shell, the planting of seed oysters set on dredged shell, and the translocation
of "pollute", oysters from areas of elevated fecal coliform counts. Records are kept of all Repletion
Program activities including dredged and fresh shell planting quantities and sites, the source, destination,
and quantity of seed and "pollute" oysters, and associated costs. These records are kept on file at the
Tawes Building and are included in an annual Seed and Shell Program report.
15
-------
Appendix IV
A Summary of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission 1993 Oyster
Repletion Program.
Fall Dredge and Patent Tong Survey
A fall dredge survey has been used by the Repletion Program
for many years to provide a qualitative assessment of oyster
populations. Usually 150 to 200 oyster bars are sampled throughout
Virginia's Bay and tributaries and the seaside of the Eastern
Shore. Sampling efforts provide information on bottom condition
and water quality, qualitative oyster population data, spatset,
mortality rates, and meat condition.
In 1993, a patent tong-based oyster stock assessment program
was initiated in Virginia. This assessment provides quantitative
estimates of oyster abundance and shell quantity that will provide
a statistically evaluated database for future oyster management
decisions. Most of the actively harvested oyster rocks in the
James and Rappahannock Rivers were sampled in 1993. Future
sampling efforts will include all oyster production areas of the
state.
Seed and Shell Repletion Program
Virginia has had a repletion fund for the replenishment of
oyster beds since 1928. During the past 15 years expenditures have
varied from $660,000 to $1,590,000 for oyster replenishment
activities. In 1993 (Table 1) Virginia planted approximately
500,000 bushels of shell and 12,000 bushels of seed. Several new
programs were also initiated in 1993, which included the
construction of two oyster reef areas, experiments in methods to
produce disease-free seed oysters in a natural situation and the
evaluation of a hydraulic excavating machine to recover buried
cultch material from old oyster bars. The total 1993 expenditures
were over $686,000 with $426,000 contributed from the General Fund
and $250,000 from Special Funds derived from oyster taxes and
permit and dredging fees.
-------
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