Contact Fisheries
Shellfish Related Programs
Ecological Restoration
Working closely with our partners to rehabilitate degraded habitat, improved bar quality and to plant disease-free hatchery oysters
Monitoring and Assessment
Collecting data to guide decisions regarding protection, restoration and commercial harvest of oysters in Maryland.
Citizen Outreach
Initiated in 2008, the citizen outreach program know as Marylanders Grow Oysters is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with the Oyster Recovery Partnership, the University of Maryland and local organizations.
Latest Shellfish News
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Secretary Griffin’s Response to Dr. Michael Wilberg’s Scientific Oyster Findings | (09/01/2011) “It is the goal of Maryland to develop an abundant, self-sustaining native oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay; one that will be an ecological, economic and cultural resource for the Bay and for Maryland citizens. The scientific findings of Dr. Michael Wil... |
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Governor Martin O'Malley Announces Streamlined Aquaculture Permitting | (8/15/2011) Army Corps of Engineers Expedites Approval ProcessGovernor Martin O’Malley today announced a new streamlined and centralized aquaculture permitting process for Marylanders interested in growing oysters and other shellfish in Maryland waters. Thanks to a realig... |
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Standardization of Bushel Containers and Oyster Tagging | (7/29/2011) Standardization of Bushel Containers and Oyster Tagging The Department is proposing to add new regulations to bring Maryland in line with FDA requirements under the National Shellfish Sanitation Program's shellstock identification and traceabilit... |
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Clam Declaration | (7/29/2011) Clam Declaration The action would require an individual to declare their intent to harvest clams. There will be no fee for this declaration. This would allow the Department to determine the licensees that should be submitting clam reports and who sho... |
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DNR Announces Aquaculture Opportunities in Sanctuaries | (7/22/2011) New Leases will Help Foster Aquaculture and Develop Productive BottomThe Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Aquaculture Division will begin accepting limited applications for new aquaculture leases within oyster sanctuaries on August 1, 2011. The G... |
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Dates have been set for four public hearings on the proposed regulations submitted in May as part of the implementation of the Governor's Oyster
Restoration and Aquaculture Development Plan. Read more.
The Shellfish Program is holding elections for county oyster committee representatives. Please review the public notice for further details on voting.
As announced at the June 3rd Chesapeake Bay Executive Council meeting by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, the Marylanders Grow Oysters (MGO) program is once again expanding to include seven new
tributaries in its oyster gardening network for 2010. The new tributaries, located on Maryland's Eastern Shore and in AnneArundelCounty, are: the
Chester River, the Miles River, the Wye River, Bodkin Creek, Cox Creek, Harris Creek and Swan Creek. MGO oysters grown during the 2009-10 season are
currently being retrieved for placement in sanctuaries and cages will be refilled with new spat on shell later this summer.
MSU's Estuarine Research Center dedicates new oyster hatchery at ERC - Morgan State University's Estuarine Research Center (ERC) unveils its new oyster
hatchery on Monday, May 3, 2010, Click here for full story.
The Oyster Recovery Partnership recently launched Maryland's first Oyster Shell
Recycling Alliance. Oyster shell is a limited resource that should not be thrown away. Reused oyster shell provides crucial natural habitat for new
oysters in the Chesapeake Bay. Click here to learn more.
Related Links
- Publications & Reports
- Resources For Aquaculture
- Resources for Watermen
- Maryland Shellfish Closure Areas
- Marylanders Grow Oysters
- Oyster Advisory Commission
- Oyster Disease
- Maryland's Historic Oyster Bars
- Permit Applications
- Oyster Texting Signup
- How To Buy and Sell Shellfish Commercially in Maryland
- 2012-2013 Shellfish Closure Book with Bar Names (41MB pdf)
- Harris Creek Restoration Project