ORP, in partnership with DNR and the University of Maryland Extension are now training watermen from across Maryland on how to produce their own oysters. For 10 weeks this year, watermen who are looking to begin to raise their own oysters through aquaculture, have access to the necessary equipment, oyster shell and oyster larvae to set their own oysters (the process of attaching oyster larvae to oyster shell). Five locations (Deal Island, Cambridge, Shady Side, Pax River Naval Base and Piney Point) are being used and we anticipate that 15 or more watermen will be trained this year. The program is scheduled to continue through 2013.

Washington Post//Maryland's plan to boost Chesapeake Bay oysters will require a lot of hanky-panky

Larry Simns

Executive Board Member,

Maryland Watermen's Association

Larry was the President of the Maryland Watermen's Association since its beginning in 1973. Larry has been a life long waterman catching oysters, crabs, striped bass, and clamming. He now runs a charter business on his boat the Dawn II. Larry sits on many regional and national committees, including the Governor's task for oil spills, the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council, the new Maryland Blue Crab Design Team, the Watermen Heritage Tour Program, the DNR Blue Crab Advisory Council, the DNR Rock Fish Committee, and the Oyster Roundtable. He is also a registered lobbyist. Larry has received countless awards and citations for his work on behalf of the Chesapeake Bay and watermen, including the coveted Highliner Award designation by National Fishermen magazine. He has been an ORP Board member since 1994. Larry and his wife Carolyn call Rock Hall, MD their home.

Thank you to our partners who support our restoration work for the Chesapeake Bay. Coming up in October, we're thrilled to be the beneficiaries of the DNR-spearheaded "From the Bay For the Bay" campaign, which supports Bay oysters, our local watermen, and restaurant communities.

ORP is continuing to welcome additional members into our Shell Recycling Alliance and to educate the public about the importance of oysters during many community events. Thank you for your continued support of our restoration work for the Chesapeake Bay.

Newest SRA members include:

• Rod N Reel restaurant (Chesapeake Beach)
• Ryan's Daughter (Baltimore)
• Riptide (Baltimore)
• Clyde's Gallery Place (D.C.)
• Hook (D.C.)
• Tackle Box (D.C.)
• Watershed (D.C.)
• J Pauls (D.C.)

Our initiative now serves nearly 70 restaurants and caterers across the region of Annapolis, Baltimore, Washington, D.C. and the Eastern Shore. Be sure and patronize these establishments to support their efforts in helping to restore the oyster. Welcome to our new members!

Far below the Bay's surface, a watchful eye monitors sensitive oyster beds. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ORP and the Maryland Geological Survey are using sonar technology to map oyster bars in the Chesapeake Bay.

High resolution mapping and spatial data to assist with project siting and evaluation. Photo: pre-oyster reef construction.

The technique, called bottom mapping (or Benthic Survey), provides the restoration partners with the necessary data to evaluate oyster restoration projects by measuring the condition, size, and shape of the bars.

Knowing where the best areas for oyster habitat are (or once were) is a key step in the successful restoration of oyster reefs and other habitat. 

Since 1999, NOAA has been the primary federal funding agency for

Side scan, multibeam and sonar are used to assist with project site evaluation. Photo: post-reef construction.

ORP's cooperative oyster restoration effort. NOAA provides restoration planning, coordination, funding, and technical expertise, including state-of-the-art technologies for bottom mapping, habitat characterization, and monitoring.

The majority of their support is for ecological restoration efforts.