SMOCS

SOUTHERN MARYLAND OYSTER CULTIVATION

SOCIETY

Design by Kent Forest

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

• New Group: Founded in May 2007.• Members: Residents, business owners,

watermen, and scientists committed to reducing local water pollution.

• Goals:– Improve local water quality by raising as many

native oysters as possible in selected locations.– Promote scientific study of oysters and their habitat.– Disseminate information on benefits of restoring

oyster habitat.

Who Are We?

• Uses oysters to restore water quality in small creeks and coves of the Patuxent.

• Committed to accumulating oysters in selected creeks and coves.

• Cooperates with, but distinct from:– Chesapeake Bay Foundation.– Chesapeake Biological Laboratory.– Morgan State/ERC– Commercial aquaculture operations.

Unique Program

1. Raise as many spat as possible off of docks and piers using off-bottom techniques.

2. Deposit year-old oysters on reefs in:– Restored beds.– New beds– Under docks.

3. Accumulate enough oysters to filter water periodically (once a month).

Concrete Goals

• Water-front property owners (private and commercial) allow SMOCS members who do not live on the water to raise oysters from their docks.

• Valuable alternative for non-waterfront owners.

SMOCS Adopt-a-Dock

SMOCS will deposit yearling oysters to optimize their viability:– Accumulate large numbers.– Concentrate in selected creeks and coves.– Put reefs:

• In mounds.• On hard bottoms.• At medium depth.

– Monitor environmental impact scientifically.

Innovative Reef Management

Concentrate enough oysters

in selected creeks

to filter water once a month.

Key to Success

• Program informally coordinated with CBL, CBF, and Morgan State/ERC.

• Individuals have been raising oysters successfully in Solomons for years.

• Preliminary support from watermen and local businesses.

Pipedream or Plan?

• Water-front property owners (private and commercial) allow SMOCS members who do not live on the water to raise oysters from their docks.

• Valuable alternative for non-waterfront owners.

SMOCS Adopt-a-Dock

• Follow-up to October 18 meeting.• Requested by some commission members.• Provides more detailed recommendations.• Raises awareness of Patuxent 20/20 Plans

Letter to Oyster Advisory Commission

• Regulations for restoration of oyster reefs:– Support harvest of edible oysters– Protect industry from outbreak of disease

• No allowance for use of oyster reefs to improve of water quality.

• OAC intends to use increased spat from expanded Horn Point facility in new reefs.

• Models discussed for restoration did not create optimal reef habitat for oysters.

Motivation for Letter

• Add restoration of water quality to objectives for oyster reef restoration.

• Modify reef construction to enhance habitat for oysters (mound vs. “platter”).

• Limit clam harvesting near oyster beds.

Key Points

• Put restoration reefs in shallower water.

• Make oyster aquaculture easier.

• Add Patuxent River to list of proof-of-concept candidates for new OAC-supported reefs.

Key Points (continued)

• Supported informally by CBF, CBL and Morgan State/ERC scientists.

• Triggered invitation to attend Maryland/ Virginia meeting on oysters in December.

Letter Well Received

Reinforces candidacy of Patuxent River as site for a new OAC reef:– Patuxent 20/20 Plan offers prospect of

improved water quality that will enhance prospect for successful oyster restoration.

– Pax selection for “proof-of-concept” reef would strengthen argument with officials for commitments to PRK/PRC 20/20 Plan.

Valuable PRC Opportunity

Cleaning pollution from local waters –

one oyster at a time.

The Southern Maryland Oyster Cultivation Societywww.smocs.org

SMOCS