The Incredible Oyster Reef

Most of us who love the Chesapeake Bay know that oysters once existed in storied numbers in an earlier time, long before poor water quality, disease, and harvesting nearly put an end to them. This film explores oysters as a keystone species with a remarkable, and it seems, indispensable ability to heal the Bay’s troubled waters.

21 Mar 2017
00:10:08

More About Oysters

Eastern Oysters

Chesapeake Bay oysters are rebounding due to restoration efforts and harvesting restrictions.

News

With Restaurants Shuttered, Don’t Forget to Recycle Oyster Shells

May 21, 2020

With indoor dining in restaurants still restricted, oyster restoration efforts are facing a depleted supply of the shells needed to stock sanctuary oyster reefs
CBF Calls for Robust Aid Package for Struggling Seafood Industry

May 11, 2020

We're calling on Congress to provide substantially more aid to the region’s struggling seafood industry, which is in economic free fall because of the near total shutdown of restaurants, markets, and other outlets for fresh oysters, crabs, and other Bay seafood.
New Economic Report Details Growth of Oyster Aquaculture in Maryland

April 2, 2020

The spread of coronavirus is threatening the industry, which has steadily grown in economic importance since 2010.
CBF Lauds General Assembly for Overriding Veto of Oyster Management Legislation

January 30, 2020

Today, the Maryland General Assembly took decisive action to put into law legislation that has the potential to increase the oyster population in Maryland long-term.
Bipartisan Bill Would Increase Funding for NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office, Benefit Oysters, Crabs, and Other Valuable Fisheries

January 27, 2020

Legislation introduced today would reauthorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Chesapeake Bay Office and proposes increasing its annual funding from $12 million in 2021 to $24.6 million in 2024.

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The Value of Oyster Aquaculture in Maryland

01 Apr 2020 00:02:02

Oyster aquaculture is not only helping the economy throughout the Bay region, it's also helping save the Bay. Learn how Maryland's oyster aquaculture industry has grown and its impact on the Bay and the economy from CBF's Maryland Fisheries Scientist, Allison Colden.
Ask an Expert: Why are Oysters Important for the Chesapeake Bay?

25 Mar 2020 Episode 1 | 00:06:46

Why is an oyster hard to shuck? How do young oysters choose their homes? What happens when an oyster filters water? CBF’s Maryland Fisheries Scientist Allison Colden gets up close and personal with the Bay’s famous bivalve.
The Chesapeake Oyster Alliance

20 Mar 2019 00:02:00

Learn more about the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance's work to accelerate the Chesapeake Bay's recovery by restoring its oyster population.
Photo of the Week: Legacy

31 Dec 2018

Oyster shells on the Chesapeake Bay at low tide, during the golden hour, in Mathews County, VA.
10 Billion Oysters for a Clean Chesapeake Bay

27 Feb 2018 Episode 76 | 00:14:44

In this episode, CBF President Will Baker, National Aquarium President John Racanelli, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science President Emeritus Dr. Don Boesch, and Hoopers Island Oyster Company Founder Johnny Shockley announce a very exciting partnership to place ten billion new oysters in Chesapeake Bay by 2025.