Cambridge, Md. (August 30, 2006) – University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) researchers have cultured record numbers of native oysters in 2006. With about one month left in the season, more than 252 million oysters have been grown for restoration at 20 sites across the Chesapeake Bay.

Restoration leaders attribute the increase in annual production to an improved scientific understanding of oyster reproduction, the expansion of restoration partnerships and restoration program investments made over the past decade. This year’s record number of oyster spat has already surpassed the previous record of 194 million set in 2005.

“Large scale native oyster restoration is possible when three key components come together – innovative science, creative partnerships and significant financial investment,” said Mike Roman, Director of the UMCES Horn Point Laboratory. “When they correctly align, we are able to accelerate restoration by planting and studying more oysters in more parts of the Bay.”

Baby oysters – or spat – are first spawned in the Aquaculture and Restoration Ecology Laboratory (AREL) at the UMCES Horn Point Laboratory. After they are allowed time to grow in the lab, the spat are attached – or “set” – to old oyster shells. The shells are then loaded onto vessels and planted throughout the Bay by partner organizations.

UMCES oysters are planted at designated sites selected by a consensus-based coalition that includes the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Oyster Recovery Partnership, the Maryland Waterman’s Association, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, UMCES and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

“The construction of the new oyster culture facilities at Horn Point has been critical to increasing the number of spat available for restoration,” said Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) Board Member Jim Perdue. “ORP has already surpassed last year’s record with time still remaining in our restoration season.”

“While AREL has significantly increased the amount of oysters available for restoration, we’re still ramping up to our full production potential,” said Oyster Program Director Donald W. Meritt of UMCES Horn Point Laboratory. “With the scheduled 2008 completion of a companion oyster setting facility at Horn Point, we should be able to accelerate restoration efforts up to one billion spat each year.”

Annual oyster culture efforts are funded by a variety of sources, including the University System of Maryland, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Oyster Recovery Partnership, Chesapeake Bay Foundation and congressional appropriations to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“Maryland communities want to stand up for the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its populations, but they can't do it on their own,” said Senator Barbara A. Mikulski. “That’s why I fought for federal funding to help restore the oyster population that is native to this national treasure and that is part of our identity as Marylanders.  I’m so proud of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, which is helping to keep Maryland at the forefront of innovation and science.”

“The unprecedented partnerships driving this effort are one of the major accomplishments of the oyster restoration program,” said Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Ronald Franks. “The success of this partnership is incumbent upon the unique type of support each partner brings to the table.”

The Horn Point Laboratory will be offering tours of its oyster restoration lab as part of its October 14 Open House. For more information, please visit http://www.hpl.umces.edu/openhouse.

The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science is the principal research institution for advanced environmental research and graduate studies within the University System of Maryland. With laboratories in Frostburg, Solomons Island and Cambridge, UMCES researchers are helping improve our scientific understanding of Maryland, the region and the world.

CONTACT:
Chris Conner
443-496-0095