Oyster Management Plan (OMP) - Chesapeake Bay Program

<body> <h4>Background</h4> <p>Over the past century, harvests of the Bay's native oyster, Crassostrea virginica, have declined dramatically. Oysters are a vital part of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem and provide vital economic benefits to the region. (Link to oyster page: http://www.chesapeakebay.net/american_oyster.htm) Currently, estimates of oyster populations in the Bay are less than 1% of their historic abundance. </p> <h4>Management of Oyster Populations in the Chesapeake</h4> <p>Maryland and Virginia have been managing their oyster resources since the 1950's. Over the years, the Bay Program partners have worked together to develop regional management plans in efforts to restore oyster populations. Currently, representatives from the Bay states, the federal government, academia, environmental organizations and the oyster industry are working together to develop an Oyster Management Plan (OMP).</p> <p>The primary goals of the OMP are to:</p> <ul> <li>Rebuild native oyster populations and,</li> <li>Improve oyster management.</li> </ul> <h4>Oyster Restoration Challenges</h4> <p>Several factors limit the restoration of native oyster populations in the Bay including:</p> <ul> <li>disease,</li> <li>habitat degradation, and </li> <li>the current low population levels of native oysters.</li> </ul> <p>The OMP includes a number of key strategies to help rebuild oyster populations:</p> <ul> <li>Evaluate the use of sanctuaries and harvest reserves to obtain optimum ecological and economic benefits,</li> <li>Rebuild habitat,</li> <li>Increase hatchery production,</li> <li>Breed disease-resistant oysters,</li> <li>Evaluate impediments to aquaculture,</li> <li>Manage harvest,</li> <li>Improve coordination among the oyster partner,</li> <li>Develop a database to track oyster restoration projects, and</li> <li>Monitor results.</li> </ul> <h4>Environmental Impact Statement</h4> <p>A programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is currently underway to evaluate alternative approaches to increasing oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. The alternative approaches include:</p> <ul> <li>continuing current management practices; </li> <li>expanding the native oyster restoration program; </li> <li>implementing a harvest moratorium; </li> <li>establishing and/or expanding aquaculture operations; </li> <li>and introducing and propagating a non-native oyster species. </li> </ul> <p>Upon completion of the EIS, the OMP will be reviewed to determine whether any management actions need to be added or amended. </p> <h4>Long-Term Coordination</h4> <p>Restoring native oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay will likely require a long-term coordinated effort. The OMP will help guide Bay Program partners as they move forward in restoring and protecting the native oyster resources in the Bay.</p> <h4>Draft Oyster Management Plan</h4> <p>A draft of the OMP is expected to be available for public review and comment in July 2004. </p> </body>