Record-Breaking 535 Million Oysters Planted: Native Bivalve Recovery Efforts Strengthened
Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) and our partners have planted a record number of oysters this planting season. Since April, we've planted over 535 million oysters on 156 acres of new oyster reefs. Our flagship planting vessel, the Robert Lee, leads our planting efforts which stretch from Tangier Sound and Hooper Straits to the Choptank, Chester, and Severn Rivers. The disease free oysters are being produced from the University of Maryland Horn Point Hatchery on cleaned oyster shells supplied by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more... |
|
ORP Participates in Marylanders Grow Oysters Program
 ORP Volunteers John and Bailey Ulbricht were two of the first Marylanders to see the fruits of their labor in the Marylanders Grow Oysters program. The cages were collected along private piers and the oysters were planted nearby in Oxford, Maryland. Read more... |
|
ORP Teaches Importance of Oysters
ORP participated in over 25 summer education events that reached thousands of Marylanders. ORP's Li'l Nippers display and touch tank filled with live oysters, spat, and other creatures that depend on oyster reefs for survival, gave students a chance to explore an oyster's life and its importance to the Bay cleanup effort.
Beccah Pruitt
Outreach & Education
Oyster Recovery Partnership |
 Find us on Facebook
Visit our ORP Fan Page to check out the latest in oyster restoration and Bay health as well as to connect with other people who care about the great Chesapeake Bay. Feel free to send any content or ideas to the Fan Page administrator. |
|
Magothy River Native Joins ORP Team
 Heather Epkins recently joined ORP to assist with oyster restoration outreach and partnership programs. Welcome, Heather! |
September 11-12, 2009
Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis, MD
October 10, 2009
|
|
|
Oyster Recovery Partnership Reaches Thousands of Marylanders
The staff at the Oyster Recovery Partnership has had a very busy summer. In addition to achieving a new milestone in our large scale oyster restoration efforts, we have brought thousands of Marylanders one step closer to cleaner water in the Chesapeake Bay through our outreach and education programs. We hope that you will be able to join us for an upcoming event. It's My Bay...It's Our Future.
Stephan Abel, Executive Director
Oyster Recovery Partnership |
|
Ask a Scientist
Q: Why do oyster reefs attract some of the highest densities of fish of any habitat in the Bay?
A: Oyster larvae, sponges, barnacles, and other invertebrates must attach themselves to hard surfaces to survive and grow. Oyster reefs provide the perfect home. With its many nooks and crannies, fish such as gobies, blennies, toadfish, and skilletfish can use oyster reefs as their primary habitat. Many aquatic species including white perch, striped bass, blue crabs, and diamondback terrapins, visit reefs to breed, find food, or seek refuge from predators.
Steven Allen, MSc, Senior Manager, Aquatic Restoration & Scientific Diver
Oyster Recovery Partnership
|
|
Partner Profile
 The Chesapeake Bay Trust and Oyster Recovery Partnership are working together to help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay.
The Chesapeake Bay Trust is a non-profit grant-making organization chartered to promote public awareness of and participation in the restoration and protection of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Whether through a Bay education project for students or an innovative approach to reduce storm water run-off, the Trust seeks to help citizens find ways to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Since its inception in 1985, the Trust has awarded more than $27 million in grants, funding thousands of projects that have a measurable impact on improving the Bay's health and restoring Maryland's most treasured natural resource. |
|
Out & About
Crisfield, Maryland (originally called Somers Cove in the late 1600's) is a fishing village located at the mouth of the Annemessex River and bordered by the Tangier Sound. In the late 1800's, Crisfield became a major distribution center for seafood along the Mid-Atlantic Coast. When the railroad made its way to Crisfield, and seafood was shipped to all corners of the United States, the town became known as the "seafood capital of the world." Present day Crisfield still maintains seafood packing houses, distribution centers, and numerous popular restaurants. Among the Crisfield sites to visit are museums supported by the Crisfield Heritage Foundation. These include:
J. Millard Tawes Library, which displays Governor J. Millard Tawes' artifacts, correspondence and other historical written materials; and
The Ward Brothers Workshop, which showcases the legendary brothers Lem and Steve Ward who were known as the founders of the unique American art form, wood carved decoys.
Photo courtesy of Oxford Marine Library Archives |
|
Did You Know?
Oysters provide a home for which of the following Chesapeake Bay creatures?
a. mud crabs b. gobies c. rockfish d. blue crabs e. all of the above
Answer from last issue's question: Oysters eat phytoplankton. |
|
Dusted Oyster Fritters
Batter Mix
Sift together:
1 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
Beat together:
1 egg
1/2 cup oyster liquor
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup Parmesean cheese
Frying the Fritters
1 pint oysters (drain, use liquid for above mix)
2 cups peanut oil
2 cups Parmesean cheese
Steps 1. Heat oil in skillet.
2. Drop 2 oysters in batter at a time.
3. Remove batter-coated oysters with a large spoon and pour into hot oil.
4. Fry about 3 minutes until golden brown.
5. Remove and put on paper towels.
5. Let drain for about 1 to 3 minutes.
6. Dust lightly with cheese.
7. Serve immediately.
8. Garnish with finely diced parsley.
Note: Recipe of Gail Koller of York, Pennsylvania, first place winner in main dish category of the 2002 National Oyster Cookoff in Leonardtown, Maryland.
| |
|
|
|
