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
It's those dang migratory oysters bringing the stuff back from Cancun...
I was born and raised on the Potomac. I went from seeing hundreds of boats on sheepshead bar to seeing none. Last year I went out to sheepshead to get just a mess of oysters for Thanksgiving and came home with half of a 5 gallon bucketfull after 4 hours of scratching, and threw some of those away after shucking because they didnt look right.I was the only boat on the bar. I only know 2 people still trying to eke out a living in te water here. To make matters worse the State doesnt know the Potomac exists, they spend all their money and efforts in the Bay. There are a few crabs left but this spring has been so cold I guess they wont arrive until July. When I was 12 my mother made my Dad move off the water he loved so much and take up farming because she didnt want my brother and myself growing up to be watermen. Most watermen have been starved out and with tobacco being under attack the farmers are selling their land to become homes for workers in DC. It was a great way of life while it lasted, I miss it. Farming and the Water are things of the past in Southern Md. A few are hanging on by a thread but its dead, just like the waters.