Fully half of Virginia is drained by Chesapeake Bay rivers, and two-thirds of the state's population lives within the Bay watershed. From the farm fields of the Shenandoah Valley to the pinewoods of the Eastern Shore, for most Virginians the Bay is as close as the nearest creek or stream.

OYSTER AQUACULTURE

Historically, Virginia was once one of the largest oyster producing states on the East Coast, producing up to 10 million bushels of oysters per year. Most of these oysters were produced on leased underwater grounds, where growers would plant oyster seeds purchased from watermen and raise them to market size. However, disease, poor water quality and more recently, predation from cow nose rays have rendered traditional Chesapeake Bay oyster production almost obsolete.

CBF will work with the Virginia seafood industry to support legislation backing commercial native oyster aquaculture in Virginia. Oyster aquaculture, or “oyster farming,” using cages, bags, and racks for raising hatchery-produced oyster seed has been practiced worldwide for centuries. In the Chesapeake Bay region, oyster aquaculture using selected disease-tolerant oysters is gaining momentum as a means to revive the ailing Chesapeake Bay oyster industry.

CBF also will work with stakeholders to ensure oyster farming operations co-exist with other water user groups.