Down here ijn Southern Maryland we dont have to worry about a red tide dessimating the shellfish beds, They are already dead. For years the oyster beds have provided less and less of the Bay oysters while the govt. has done practically nothing about it. Where once 1900 oyster licenses were issued in the county 9 were sold last year and even those guys could hardly make it. No one seems to be able to find out why the oysters die just when they are about to become large enough to harvest, but die they do. Aty one time they thought of introducing an oriental oyster that seems able to survive, but then they said it may take over the beds and kill the local oyster. Well have no fear of that , the local oyster is already dead.
The Asian Oyster may still be introduced in the Chesapeake Bay. Governor Erhlich has been pushing for this to happen. But the Chesapeake Bay foundation, DNR, and other groups are urging caution and slowing down the process. Down in Virginia they have a colony of neutered oysters actually in the bay.
Our oysters are being killed off by dermo and MsX in over 90% of the bay. For more information go here: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/infocus/non-native_oyster.asp
Yes, no oysters, but plenty of oyster shells still around.
1. In almost every test of bad water in Maryland, they find coliform bacteria. That comes from just one place, human feces.
2.The State of Maryland allows the use of power dredges to pull up clams and oysters during the season. But, they don't regulate the power of the dredges which actually destroy the oyster beds they dredge.
The answer, which every long term resident of Maryland knows (even those a**holes at the Chesapeake Bay foundation) is simple.
1. Restrict the fishery of all shell fish plus crabs to a limited season.
2. Restrict the use of power dredges.
3. Support an aggressive aqua culture of shell fish via grants and seeidng programs.
4. MOST important, develop a comprehensive plan to have all commercial and or residential structures within 1/4 mile of the Bay or major tributary on adequate sewer.
A good old oyster pumps about 30 gallons of water through himself every 24 hours. Give him a little help with good sewer and the Bay will clean itself.
Regards,