903R90111
Chesapeake Executive Council
Implementation Plan for
Management of the
Chesapeake Bay
Oyster Fishery
Chesapeake
Bay
Program
Implementation Plan
July 1990
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IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR MANAGEMENT OF
THE CHESAPEAKE BAY OYSTER FISHERY
Introduction
The Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council adopted the
Chesapeake Bay Oyster Management Flan in July, 1989, to establish
a framework for coordinated management of the Chesapeake's oyster
fishery. The goal of the management plan is to manage the oyster
resources for long-term ecological and socioeconomic benefits. The
management plan examines the current status of the Bay's oyster
fishery, identifies problems affecting management of the fishery,
and lists courses of action to address the problems. Each action
identifies the responsible implementing jurisdiction(s) and the
date by which the action will be initiated or completed.
This implementation plan is a tabular synopsis of the
management plan that will be useful in keeping track of management
progress. It lists problem areas and corresponding implementing
actions (in abbreviated form), schedules, and jurisdictions
responsible for implementation. It also includes the type of
implementing action required (i.e. administrative, regulatory, or
legislative), an estimate of "additional funding or personnel
reg^iired, and comments on the progress being made or direction
being taken. The Chesapeake Bay Oyster Management Plan should be
referred to for a more complete description of this information.
Implementing actions by the Potomac River Fisheries Commission
(PRFC) , which were not included in the management plan, have been
added here where appropriate.
Oyster management strategies contained in the management and
implementation plans are intended to be flexible and adaptive.
Periodic review of these plans will be undertaken to incorporate
new information on the status of the resource and to assess the
relative success of the management actions taken. This review will
be conducted by the Fisheries Management Workgroup of the Living
Resources Subcommittee.
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Fishery Management Tasks for 1990-1991
Two general areas need to be addressed in order to rebuild
oyster stocks and improve management of the fishery. Briefly,
these are:
1. Identify new areas of fossil oyster shell that can be
dredged and planted for cultch, and increase the availability
of alternative sources of cultch.
2. Continue to conduct research on growth, disease resistance,
and production capabilities of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea
virginica), and develop an official policy and mechanism for
introducing non-indigenous species of oysters into the
Chesapeake Bay.
These items and others are examined more thoroughly in the
1990 annual status report for the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Management
Plan.
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OYSTER
ni iir
MRNDGEMENT
nnv
PLRN IMPLEMENTRTIDN
PROBLEM
RRER
1 . Harvest
decl ine and
over harvest
2. Recruitment
RCTION
1.1.1 Open and close areas on
a rotating basis to control
fishing effort.
1.1.2 Establish catch limits
that reflect the status of
the resource.
1.1.3 Delayed entry program
to stabilize fishing effort.
2.1.1 Continue hatchery
operations to produce eyed
larvae and seed oysters.
2.1.2 Support aquaculture
efforts.
2.1.3 Continue oyster
repletion program.
2.1.4 Reconstruct buried
oyster bars on an experimental
basis.
2.1.5 Use research findings
on adult density/recruitment
rt?l at ionship to regulate
h
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KE DRY
OYSTER MRNRGEMENT PLRN IMPLEMENTRTION
PROBLEM
RRER
3. Disease
mortal ity
»
4. Leased
ground
production
RCTION
3.1.1 Continue the annual
disease survey to determine
the best plan for planting
seed and shell.
3.1.2 Implement a program to
monitor seed For disease
before transplanting them.
3.1.3 Continue research on
disease transmission and the
development of a disease— free
strain of C. virginica.
3.1.4 Continue research on
the development of a disease-
resistant hybrid oyster.
4.1.1 Establish a seed bed
for sale of seed to private
leaseholders.
4.1.2 Continue active exten-
sion program for leaseholders.
4.1.3 Implement "proof of use"
measures to promote private
production and cultivation.
4.1.4 Promote the development
of new culture methods by
removing impediments in the
existing permitting process.
4.1.5 Research the feasibility
of and methodology for new
culture techniques.
IMPLEMT
DHTE
1989
199O
Cont i nue
1989
19O9
1989
1989
199O
1990
199O
RESPONSIBLE
RGENCY & METHOD
MDNR - fl
PRFC - H
VMRC - R
MDNR - H
PRFC - H
MDNR - H
VMRC - R
MDNR - R
PRFC - n
VMRC - R
MDNR - R
MDNR - R
UMRC - R
MDNR - R.R.L
VMRC - R
vMRC - R
W1RC - R
_„ . _.
ROD.
STRFF
or **
*250K
COMMENTS/NOTES
Rre maximizing seed and shell plantings
in areas free from disease pressure.
Continue current efforts with an
emphasis on disease strategies.
PRFC will not transplant seed from
infected areas to disease— free areas.
Currently being implemented but in need
of additional funding. National Sea
Grant is interested in establishing
coorinated research funding mechanism.
Need to develop clear policy on intro-
duction of exotic species/hybrids; would
need new regulations and permitting
system to cover introduction.
Two beds established: 10 ac in Calvert
Co. and 15 ac in St. Mary's Co.; planted
3OO.OOO bu shell for seed production.
Extension/outreach programs are undei —
way; additional coordination is needed.
MD law passed in 1988, new statute under
consideration; reporting forms developed
and in use; draft regs proposed.
VMRC is working within legal require-
ments to minimize problems encountered
by applicants; first such permit
issued in Feb. 1990.
MIMS outreach program and internal
research are shifting emphasis to new
techniques.
.*»
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CIIESRPERKE nnv
OYSTER MRNRI3EMENT PLflN TMPLEMENTRTIO.N
1
PROBLEM 1 RCTION
RRER I
•
5. Habitat !5.1a— c Promote the objectives
issues ! of the Chesapeake Bay
[Rgreement to improve water
! qual ity.
6. Shellfish 16.1.1 Promote the improvement
sanitation ! of water quality (see 5.1).
1
I
1
1
•'6.1.2 Participate in the
1 Interagency Shellfish
[Enhancement Task Force.
.'6.1.3 a) Investigate the
[potential of depuration
[ techniques.
! b) Implement regulations
' [for constai ner i zed relaying of
1 [condemned oysters.
16.1.4 Promote more effective
1 treatment of sewage and water
[conservation (see 5.1).
16.1.5 (new) PRFC will continue
[participation in the ISSC.
7. Market [7.1.1 Implement the strategies
Production 1 of the management plan to
[restore oyster stocks.
17.1.2 a) Promote public
1 awareness that oysters with
1 MSX and Dermo are safe to
1 consume.
1 b) Use industry and
1 state promotion of oyster
[quality to stem market losses.
IMPLEMT
DRTE
Variable
.
Variable
-
Continue
Variable
19B9
1995
Continue
1989
1990
199O
RESPONS
RGENCY &
MDNR -
VMRC -
MDNR -
PRFC -
VMRC -
VMRC -
MDNR, MDE
VMRC -
VMRC -
MDHR -
PRFC -
MONR -
PRFC -
VMRC -
MONR -
MDRGR
VMRC -
VMI'li -
IBLE
METHOD
R
H
R
fl
R
R
- R
R
R
R
R
fl
H
R
R
- R
fl
n
ROD.
STfiFF
or **
*25OK
COMMENTS/NOTES
Will coordinate closely with other
agencies and jurisdictions.
Will coordinate closely with other
agencies and jurisdictions.
If depuration or wet storage techniques
are developed, appropriate legislation
and regulations would be needed.
VMRC is assessing situation; expect to
propose regulations in March 199O.
Will coordinate closely with other
agencies and jurisdictions.
Underway; special commission is
reviewing MD oyster industry, recom-
mendations are due in 199O.
Had press releases & media interviews,
cJeve.- loped consumer guide Re fact sheet.
VR Marine Products Board continues
ijct i ve promotion oF oijsters.
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CHESRPERKE DRY
OYSTER MRNRGEMENT PLRN IMPLEMENTRTIDN
PROBLEM
RRER
S. Repletion
program
I
RCTION
8.1.1 Review the existing
statutory authority which
dictates the distribution of
seed and shell.
B.I. 2 Consider increasing the
tax on exported oysters.
8.1.3 Evaluate repletion
programs for production
and cost efficiencies.
8.1.4 Utilize alternative
sources of cultch.
8.1.5 Continue to protect
and expand areas for seed
and research purposes.
8.1.6 Enhance the seed program
in the Great Wicomico,
Piankatank, and James Rivers.
8.1.7 Establish a special
repletion program for the
seaside of the eastern shore
8.1.8 (new) Continue to
utilize the input of the
Oyster Repletion Committee
IMPLEMT
DHTE
1991
Continue
1991
1991
1989
1990
1991
Continue
Continue
1989
Continue
RESPONSIBLE
RGENCY & METHOD
MDNR - R
PRFC - R
MDNR - L
MDNR - R
PRFC - H
UMRC - R
MDNR - R
UMRC - R
PRFC - R
MDNR - R
PRFC - R
VMRC - R
VMRC - R
PRFC - R
ROD.
STRFF
or **
COMMENTS/NOTES
The MD oyster mgmt program is being
reviewed by a special commission.
PRFC will suspend shell planting on "set
and grow" areas.
Is being reviewed by special commission.
Md program under special review.
Rre using surf clam shell; investigating
other means, such as fly ash/gypsum.
MD currently has ID sanctuaries; are
evaluating potential new ones.
PRFC will maintain oyster sanctuary
on Jones Shore.
Cont i nu i ng .
Will develop an Rnnual Oyster Repletion
Program for the Potomac.
I
01
I
LEGEND: MDE = Maryland Department of the Environment
MDflGR= Maryland Department of Rgriculture
MDNR = Maryland Department of Natural Resources
PRFC = Potomac River Fisheries Coinm i ss i on
VMRC = Uirtjiriia Marint? Resources Commission
VIM'li =•Virginia Marine Products Hoard
R = Rdministrative action
L = Legislation
R = Regulation
K = 4.J , OHO
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