New House Bill May Threaten Oyster Population

Delmarva, – Last week, two bills were passed by the U.S House Appropriations Committee that may hinder the growing population of oysters in the Chesapeake bay.

These bills have been passed by the committee but still need to be approved on the house floor before any provisions are enacted. The Chesapeake oyster reefs have become an iconic feature of this bay, both ecologically and economically. If approved, these provisions could open these protected sanctuaries for commercial fishing and cut off federal funding from restoration efforts such as those from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Organizations are able to still find funding from other sources to supplement. Experts say hindering oyster growth doesn’t just impact one species, but can send a ripple effect throughout the bay.

Julie Luecke, a Coastal Resource Scientist from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation says that oyster populations have tripled in the last 20 years but these bills threaten that progress.

Watermen rely on these habitats for commercial fishing for those local favorites throughout the bay, so stopping the progress of one catch could affect others. Oysters also act as a filtration system for the bay, adding to the list of consequences that may occur as a result of these bills, experts say.

“There are over 300 species of plants and animals that live on oyster reefs in the Chesapeake bay. so, you know this comes from, you know, some of our local favorites like striped bass and blue crabs.” says Luecke.

More information on this topic can be found at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation website.