Chesapeake Bay Program
A Watershed Partnership
THE DRAFT COMPREHENSIVE OYSTER
MANAGEMENT PLAN
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Comprehensive Oyster Management Plan
(COMP) provides both a general framework
and specific guidance for implementing a
strategic effort to rebuild and manage native
oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay. The
development of the COMP was a multi-partner
endeavor by representatives from state and
federal agencies, academia, environmental
organizations and the oyster industry. Oysters
are a vital component of the Chesapeake Bay
ecosystem and provide important ecological
functions and economic benefits. The main
strategies for rebuilding native oyster
populations and improving oyster management
are: managing around disease; establishing
sanctuaries; rebuilding habitat; increasing
hatchery production; managing harvest;
improving coordination among the oyster
partners; and developing a database to track
oyster restoration projects. Through these
strategies, the COMP addresses one of the
major commitments of the Chesapeake 2000
agreement, "By 2010, achieve a tenfold increase
in native oysters in the Chesapeake Bay."
Currently, the major limiting factor for the
oyster resource is the impact of diseases.
Environmental conditions, especially
temperature and salinity, affect the distribution
and abundance of parasites that cause disease
and make it particularly difficult to manage
oyster restoration efforts. Recognizing that
disease is the dominant factor in all restoration
and repletion activities and that disease is
correlated with salinity, comprehensive
management strategies are defined according to
three salinity zones. In addition, there are
guidelines for reducing the impacts of disease
and actions to enhance management practices
such as criteria for moving seed. The disease
management actions are utilized in all aspects
of restoration activities, sanctuaries, hatchery
production, and managing harvest.
A network of oyster sanctuaries that encompass
at least 10 % of the historically productive oyster
grounds will be established throughout the
Chesapeake Bay. Sanctuaries will be protected
from harvest and, depending on salinity zone,
will contribute to an increase in oyster biomass
and possibly over time, contribute to the
development of disease resistant broodstocks.
Priority areas have been mapped and will be
used to focus the multi-partner oyster
restoration activities. Habitat will be
rehabilitated in these protected areas to enhance
oyster production. To support the restoration
effort, hatchery production will be increased.
Sanctuaries are also one of the main strategies
for regulating the fishery. Harvest will also be
regulated by a relatively new initiative, special
management areas (reserves). These areas will
be opened and closed areas on a rotational
basis. This strategy is expected to delay harvest
till the oysters reach a larger size, thereby,
increasing ecological and economic value.
Monitoring results are currently used to guide
restoration and repletion activities. With the
proposed scope of restoration activities over the
next decade, monitoring needs will increase.
The oyster partners will form a technical
committee to develop guidelines for data
management and develop a database for
tracking oyster restoration projects.
Cooperation among multiple agencies and
organizations is essential for implementing the
COMP and effectively utilizing limited
resources.
Reaching the desired objectives is a
multi-generation, long-term effort and there are
no guarantees the objectives will be met. Given
the current status of disease and present
environmental conditions, progress towards
increased oyster biomass may not occur in the
short-term. The challenge is great, but the
potential benefits in both ecological and
economic terms are also great. The COMP
proposes to guide, focus, and coordinate the
multiple partners in rebuilding the native oyster
population in Chesapeake Bay.
The Draft Comprehensive Oyster Management
Plan will be released for a thirty day public
comment period beginning November 4, 2002.
For more information or a full copy of the plan,
call 800 YOUR-BAY or visit the Chesapeake Bay
Program website at
www.chesapeakebay.net/cop.htm.
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