Report: 550 million oyster seeds planted in river watershed in 2015

The latest Oyster Restoration Implementation Update has been released, and it appears significant progress has been made.

The project, which began in 2011, aims to restore the oyster population in the Choptank River watershed. The effort targets three tributaries: Harris Creek, Little Choptank River, and Tred Avon River.

According to the report released Tuesday, more than 550  million oyster seeds were planted in 2015.

The initial in-water restoration phase, which includes reef construction and seeding, has been completed in Harris Creek according to the report.

The three tributaries are not open for harvest; however, Stephanie Westby, Oyster Restoration Program Manager at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) says this project could eventually benefit the public on a commercial-level.

“Our hope is that the tide and currents will actually push some of those offspring from these newly restored reefs out into the areas that are able to be ?commercially harvested,” Westby tells 47ABC.

The “Update”, as it is commonly known as, was developed by the Maryland Oyster Restoration Inter-agency Workgroup. The group is chaired by NOAA and includes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maryland Department of Natural Resources — and the Oyster Recovery Partnership.