When the first explorers entered the Chesapeake Bay, they wrote that the waters were crystal clear, and the oyster reefs were hazards to navigation. Now it is thought that the oyster population in the Bay is only 1% of what it once was. Accordingly, the health of the Bay has declined exponentially.
A recent Washington Post article talked of a four year study led by scientists at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science which concluded that oyster reefs are capable of removing large amounts of nitrogen pollution from the water and serve as a safe haven for other creatures that also filter nitrogen. Unfortunately, in recent years there has been aggressive and excessive oyster harvesting in our area, which of course seems counterproductive to the health of the Bay.
These scientists are the only ones who think that oysters are important. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation recognizes this great benefit as well. At the recent Earth Water Faith Festival in Annapolis, CBF had a 20 gallon fish tank with dirty Bay water and half a dozen oysters in it. They claimed that within 2 hours, those oysters would make that tank crystal clear. (while I did not stand there and watch oysters for 2 hours, I would tend to believe their claim) Because of this benefit, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation has created a Oyster Restoration Program to help reestablish oyster reefs in the Bay. This program relies heavily on volunteer support and even utilizes those people with waterfront access to start their own oyster garden.
The oyster population is one key element to the recovery of this most important natural resource. If the oysters are not helping to filter the water, nitrogen levels will rise out of control and dead zones will start growing, where the health of the water is so bad that no life is sustainable. WHAT CAN WE DO? We can start by eliminating runoff of chemicals and fertilizers on our properties. These excessive nutrients are what causes the excessive nitrogen in the water to start with. Next, we can support the creation of these oyster reefs to help clean the water. Contact your lawmakers to support state funded oyster replenishment programs, or go volunteer to help establish these reefs in person. You can make a difference in the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Please act today.
Washington Post- Oysters Could Clean Chesapeake
CBF- Oyster Restoration Center- Volunteer HERE!!
