New report on the Chesapeake Bay finds encouraging signs

The latest report on the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed finds improving conditions for some of the key barometers.

Legislative roundup: Oyster recycling; tobacco; female inmate health services

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — The Maryland Senate on Thursday unanimously passed a bill that would further incentivize oyster shell recycling. “This bill continues to promote a very viable shell recovery program that’s been in existence for five years,” said Sen. Stephen…

Shell recycling: It’s about the bay

ANNAPOLIS, Maryland — At 7:30 a.m., outside of the Oyster Recovery Partnership office and by the trunk of his 2008 Toyota Corolla, Wayne Witzke traded his slides for a pair of brown rubber boots. The bearded man hopped into a…

Marylanders Grow Oyster program kicks off 10th year

Some 1500 waterfront homeowners throughout Maryland are taking delivery of thousands of oyster spat, young oysters, as part of the “Marylanders Grow Oysters Program” which gives local residents the chance to help re-populate the state’s oyster population.

Questions Loom Over Effects of State’s Oyster Recovery Efforts on Watermen’s Bottom Lines

While the state seeds the beds, are oystermen missing out?

Chesapeake Bay Watermen Battle With Cold and Ice

This winter’s combination of cold and ice are making life difficult for Chesapeake Bay watermen.

Bill to study effects of acidification in bay passes

The General Assembly passed a bill this week that would create a task force to evaluate effects of acidification in the Chesapeake Bay and other state waters and make recommendations on how to address the issue.

Acidic Chesapeake Bay Water Could Threaten Oysters

A more acidic bay could make it more difficult for mollusks, such as oysters, to build their shells through a process called calcification. But it could help crustaceans, such as blue crabs, build their shells more quickly. This could disrupt the evolutionary balance of the two because blue crabs prey on oysters.

Maryland Lab Artificially Grows Oysters For Bay

One Maryland lab is using science to artificially create, feed and grow oyster larvae — no bigger than a grain of sand — in order to help restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay.

“Flood Bucket” Program Still Adding Oysters a Decade Later

The South River Federation’s “Flood Bucket” program added more oysters to its reef in Harness Creek recently with the help of 50 volunteers. The program has been gardening oysters for more than a decade.