Maryland Oyster Sanctuaries Show Widespread Success

Increased Oyster Numbers Demonstrate Current Management is Working and Must Continue

In a major win for oyster recovery in the Chesapeake Bay, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today significant growth in oyster populations in its latest five-year oyster management review report.

According to the report, a vast majority of Maryland’s oyster sanctuaries have seen impressive population growth, thanks to restoration efforts and five years of strong reproduction. That includes sanctuaries beyond the five large-scale tributaries that DNR restored as part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement.

The report noted that nearly 40 percent of oyster sanctuaries are experiencing positive growth or have already met scientific benchmarks, while another 16 sanctuaries are in the pipeline for further habitat investments. These investments are critical as oyster sanctuaries protect vital reef habitat for other aquatic species who use their structures to live and hide.

Additionally, the report showed that areas open to the public oyster fishery saw record harvests during the last five years. The 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons were the highest in decades, generating more than $21 million and $31 million in dockside value. These results show that oyster restoration is working, and that protected oyster sanctuaries are a key player in record-breaking oyster harvests outside of their boundaries.

Maryland’s oyster population has tripled in the last 30 years. But it still remains just a fraction of what it once was after decades of overharvesting and disease. Thankfully, oysters have rebounded exponentially due to recent oyster restoration and investment, favorable environmental conditions, and low disease rates that have helped oyster populations thrive.

Despite the proven success of oyster restoration, and immense public support for oyster sanctuaries, there have been recent efforts to allow harvest in certain sanctuaries. That includes language in the U.S. House’s FY27 Appropriations Bill attempting to strip National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) funding for oyster sanctuaries unless they are opened to harvest.

Multiple studies (most recently, Wade et.al.) show that harvesting oysters, especially via dredging, damages the critical habitat that oyster reefs provide. Harvesting from protected areas would also limit oyster reproduction and undermine the development of disease resistance that’s been instrumental in the oyster’s recent rebound.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Maryland Coastal Resource Scientist Julie Luecke issued the following statement:

“Oysters are one of the Bay’s greatest success stories—not by luck, but because of targeted protection in Maryland’s oyster sanctuaries, alongside ongoing restoration efforts. It’s great seeing these record numbers continue to climb, not only in oyster sanctuaries themselves, but in nearby harvest areas as well.

“These results prove that we must stay the course. With 1,100 additional acres of restoration planned in the new Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and 16 additional sanctuaries slated for investment, we look forward to state and federal leaders continuing the charge, starting by keeping our oyster sanctuaries fully protected.”