Growing Oysters
A large adult oyster can filter up to two gallons of water an hour. Scientists speculate that the oyster population prior to the mid-19th century decline could filter the entire volume of water in the Chesapeake Bay in under a week! At the present severely depleted population, this task has increased to about a year.
Viewer Tip: The Marylanders Grow Oysters program allows community members to grow oyster spat within cages hung from their docks. The young oysters are protected during the vulnerable first year of life so they can be planted on local sanctuaries where they provide habitat and filter the water.
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
This information is provided by COSEE Coastal Trends. Learn more at www.coseecoastaltrends.net.
(Sources: www.oysters.maryland.gov; http://shorelines.dnr.state.md.us/downloads/factSheets/oysters fact sheet.pdf)
