Fresh Seafood

Maryland's Oyster Advisory Commission 2007 Interim Report

Maryland's Oyster Advisory Commission (OAC) recently submitted its 2007 Interim Report Concerning Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Oyster Management Program to Governor Martin O'Malley, the Members of the Maryland General Assembly, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John R. Griffin.

In September Secretary John R. Griffin appointed 21 scientists, watermen, anglers, businessmen, economists, environmental advocates, and elected officials to serve on the Commission, which is charged with advising the state on matters relating to oysters and strategies for rebuilding and managing the oyster population in Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay.

The OAC will also utilize the latest findings of an Environmental Impact Statement currently being drafted with other state and federal government partners to evaluate oyster restoration options for the Chesapeake Bay.

OAC Chairman Bill Eichbaum stated "Our preliminary efforts have laid the groundwork for a major rethinking of ecological and economic strategies to restore oysters in our Bay.....Business as usual will not restore the oyster. To be successful, we must go far beyond past efforts."

Dr. Donald Boesch, commission member and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science President explained that "Finding a solution to restoring Maryland’s once vibrant oyster population requires us to investigate new approaches that provide oysters the best possible chance to thrive. It is also critical that any new oyster management measures are based on the best scientific understanding that we have."