Maryland’s aquaculture industry supporting the Chesapeake

MARYLAND – 2023 was a record year for oysters in the state of Maryland.

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, it saw the most bushels ever harvested by the state’s aquaculture operations, at over 94,000.

Commercial oyster farming has been growing year-over-year in Maryland, with watermen diversifying their traditional commercial fishing businesses, and new entrepreneurs entering the space as demand continues to grow.

Experts say the continued cultivation of oyster farms is good news for the Chesapeake Bay. “What they’re essentially doing is creating their own private, functional oyster reef that provides the same water quality benefits through filtration that [wild] oysters do,” said Dr. Brian Callam, Director of the Aquaculture and Industry Enhancement Division at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Dr. Callam added that the growing aquaculture operations in the state also provides a significant economic boost to local fisherman and businesses, bringing in roughly $13 million annually.