The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure in which we the taxpayers have invested millions upon millions thru the Chesapeake Bay foundation to “restore “ the Chesapeake Bay iconic oyster populations as well as reduce nitrogen, phosphorus silt and toxins with little to no results , the bay has a D+ rating in health ,
A new policy needs to be implemented outlining that funding need be applied to projects that produce tangible nitrogen and phosphorus reductions first over simulated model reductions as well as oyster sanctuaries be mandated to have and implement a maintenance program , our expensive to build sanctuaries are becoming toxic virtually allowing any other natural resource feeding on the reef to become toxic as well as us if we eat the seafood
( forever chemicals are and PCB’s are of main concern , forever chemicals are carcinogenic and don’t break down in the environment, oysters are bioaccumulating these toxins in unmanaged oyster reef’s” sanctuaries “ )
I think most understand our issues with the bay watershed are population driven and it’s nearly impossible to “ restore “ the bay to the health or oyster populations of the 1800’s given the population driven increases , increasing our nitrogen and phosphorus productions direct impact on water quality ! this is 2024, not 1800!
So a maintenance plan is what makes sense ,in tangibly reducing the ever growing abundant nitrogen and phosphorus levels that fuel algae growth creating dead zones ( oxygen depletion areas)
Nitrogen and phosphorus are natural resources that can be harvested using oysters so ,
We can create a maintenance program using an oyster relay system focusing on the high nutrient zones.
( every million three inch oysters raised and removed from the watershed tangibly removes approximately 198 pounds of nitrogen and levels of phosphorus with their removal .
Private waterfront property owners can participate in this fishery and benefit economically.
Maryland currently has oyster aquaculture listed as a “ best management practice “ in which the implementation of the practices focus is backwards and appears to be self serving to Maryland agencies ,Department of natural resource, Maryland department of the environment, etc ,)
A maintenance plan would boost the economy creating many good paying jobs ( especially for historic Maryland watermen )as well as the public creating stability within the industry , it would reduce pressure on all the other fisheries giving them time to recover as watermen conducted the relay, unlimited oyster harvest , harvesting only relayed oysters and managing natural oyster bars not depleting them ,tangibly reduce nitrogen , phosphorus, sediment and toxins, create tools to better monitor non point source inputs and identify focal points , create many economic opportunities within the Chesapeake Bay region as well as be completely sustainable Giving a big boost to our economy!
It’s past time for a change in the in tide with the iconic Chesapeake bay and move more towards practical maintenance plan rather than a feckless “ restoration “ plan ,
All the science is there we just need a common sense realist approach, we’re talking about our food as well as one of our most treasured bodies of water , the Chesapeake Bay!
I’m not sure how to get the natural resources listing !