How to Restore Chesapeake Oysters
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Supports Rebuilding with Native Species
Nov 4, 2008
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation released a position paper on October 14, 2008 that outlines their opposition to the introduction of a non-native oyster, Crassostrea ariakensis, to the Chesapeake Bay in order to revive its ailing oyster industry. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers along with the Bay states of Maryland and Virginia have drafted an Environmental Impact Statement that considers the pros and cons of the non-native Asian species but does not make a recommendation for or against inserting the non-native into the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The Foundation's position is that the scientific community and experience with the introduction of non-native species call for caution. They believe that the native oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is re-establishing reefs and building immunity to disease. As these occur, watermen are successfully re-establishing the oyster industry.
Beyond its importance as a food product, the oyster is the Chesapeake Bay's keystone species and as such is key to the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is concerned about the overall health of the ecosystem in addition to the economic health of the oyster industry.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Oyster Restoration Efforts
Staff and an army of volunteers have worked hard for nearly 15 years to plant oyster spat (baby oysters) and rebuild healthy oyster reefs. In Virginia, the increase in oysters in the Lynnhaven River is estimated to be tenfold and successful reefs have been built in the Rappahannock and Great Wicomico Rivers. In Maryland, more than a billion seed oysters have resulted in more than a thousand acres of rebuilt reef.
It hasn't been easy and a variety of strategies have been used, but the results are clear. Successful oyster projects have increased the population of oysters and their reefs, which provide habitat for other species. Oysters seem to be better tolerating diseases that ravaged their diminished numbers 50 years ago.
Native Oyster Industry Reviving
The last decade has seen growth in native oyster aquaculture business. Several successful aquaculture businesses have been supplying New York City restaurants. On November 3, 2008 the Emeril Green cooking show featured Chesapeake Bay Oyster Stuffing to highlight the growing interest in using local food.
More Reasons to Oppose Non-native Oysters
As awareness has grown about disease and habitat loss due to the introduction of non-native species, opposition to non-native oysters has increased. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation believes that the federal and state Environmental Impact Statement does not include enough information about the potential negative effects of introducing the non-native oyster species.
One of the biggest concerns is that introduced oysters may lead to the extinction of native oysters. Introduced species that have not evolved in a regional climate along with its balanced community of flora, and fauna have been known to become pests. They disrupt life cycles and out-compete natives for habitat resources. Awareness of this non-native impact on land species is increasing well-understood by home gardeners who battle vines that grow quickly and even choke mature trees. While it is not known that the non-native oyster will become invasive, it is a risk that may outweigh the perceived benefit to the oyster industry.
The Foundation also notes that pathogens could threaten Chesapeake oysters and even spread along the east coast to impact other shellfish populations. More brood stock of the non-native species would probably come from Asia and may import diseases that are currently suspected to be a problem as well as others that are unknown.
On the U.S. west coast, introduced species have had a detrimental impact on fisheries and the diseases they carried have caused human health problems.
Non-natives Probably Won't "Save the Bay"
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's "Save the Bay" marketing tag line has been used to rally the effort of many behind their work, including efforts to restore the estuary's keystone species. They feel that the non-native Asian oyster is not the answer. Also, it may not thrive in the Bay. Trials have revealed that the oyster is susceptible to a parasite that is currently in the region. A thinner shell means it will be more susceptible to predators like the blue crab and cow-nose ray than are the native stock.
Because oysters are filter feeders, they concentrate pathogens that have been known to make diners sick. The Asian oyster has been shown to hold a greater concentration of human pathogens.
Finally, the cost of establishing the non-native oyster industry would be substantial and would require extra measures to ensure human health and the safety of other species that call the Bay home. A huge investment has already been made in the restoration of the native oyster. It would be shortsighted not to weigh this total economic cost.
Save the Bay with Native Oysters
The repopulation of the Chesapeake Bay with native oysters is well underway. In their paper, CBF Position on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Oyster Restoration in Chesapeake Bay,(Octob er 14, 2008, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, seen on CBF website) the authors make the point that the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and their supporters believe that years of effort spent restoring native oysters is showing positive results. These efforts to build native oyster stock and reefs should be increased.
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