Oyster Season Opens with Hopes and Fears

 WMDT, Watermen hopeful but harboring concerns for oyster season

In Maryland, oyster season is in full swing and that means watermen are getting ready to bring them right to your table. “We’ve come off an excellent last year with over 600,000 bushels harvested,” said Captain Robert Newberry of Delmarva Fisheries Association.

Captain Robert Newberry says the wild oyster season is looking up this time around following historically bad seasons. “The guys might have to work a little bit longer but there’s a lot of nice small oysters right now and when it cools down next week they’re going to start growing pretty good so I think we’re going to be ok,” said Captain Newberry. “The past 3 years we’ve seen above average oyster production in compared to the long term average based mostly on favorable environmental conditions for oyster reproduction,” said Allison Colden, Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Maryland Executive Director.

They're expecting to be able to harvest oysters that are just undersized now, that may grow that razor sharp bill out beyond the 3 inch limit by the end of the season. 

Though the watermen are hopeful, there could be a few issues this season with weather concerns. “Increased mortality from disease and the possibility of fishing efforts being concentrated in very specific areas of the bay at levels that would not be sustainable in the long term,” said Colden. “This year there were a lot of concerns going in the guys saw a lot of dead oysters and that’s probably just a result because we had the warmest July and August on record,” said Captain Newberry.

So, as is customary, they'll hammer the places where oysters are abundant until they aren't, and then start looking elsewhere. 

Officials also say high salinity and disease have also killed off some of the oyster population, however, Captain Newberry says if you’re going oystering be prepared out on the water. “The guys, just make sure you got all your safety gear you’ve got a proper disposal unit for waste for the boat. They require that you carry a bucket with a lid that has to be labeled waste – you know that you got your safety gear. That all your permits are straight, your license is straight and that your working on our designated areas,” Captain Newberry explained.

High salinity doesn't kill oysters, they survive just fine in full strength seawater down near the mouth of the bay. However, they are more susceptible to some of the common oyster diseases, MSX and Dermo, at higher salinity, and they do grow a little faster at moderate salinity. 

With a new study, Allison Colden with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation says watermen should be alert if any regulation changes are made this season. “The Department of Natural Resources will be keeping. A close eye on the growth and mortality of oysters and may make any management actions or take any management actions that may be deemed necessary after reviewing those results,” said Colden.

In Delaware, watermen are also gearing up for the season too. 47 ABC spoke with one oyster harvester to see what he is expecting for this season’s catch. “Basically were going to catch about 35% less this year than we caught last year, thats designed by quota not necessarily by lack of resources. It’s because of two reasons poor recruitment, in the last 3,4, and 5 years less baby ones, and also the bigger ones, they seem to have died last year. We lost about 50% on our lease beds,” said harvester Leonard Voss Jr.

Sounds like Delaware is using better management than Maryland. 

The Wombat has Rule 5 Sunday: I’m In Love With Shouko’s Mom up and garnerning clicks at The Other McCain.