Oyster Sanctuary

In 2005 approximately 287 acres of CBEC’s waterfront was designated as a sanctuary. The sanctuary boundary is located off of Piney Point and runs southeast to include Cabin Creek. Within these acres lie four artificial reef areas which serve as oyster bars and fish habitat.

A survey was completed by USFWS and CBEC staff that determined the best location to avoid sedimentation and/or winter tides that may have deposited marine debris in the reef area. The sanctuary was first restored with a 5 acre stone plot reef to receive spat on shell. This first seeding of the reef planted 1.5 million per acre. This density was chosen to ensure high fertilization rates that would lead to a self-sustaining population.

CBEC volunteers have been seeding this area with the native virginica oyster since 2002. To date, over 11 million disease free oysters have been planted and range in size from one to five inches long throughout Prospect Bay-Cabin Creek Oyster Sanctuary. These oysters play an important role in CBEC’s living ecosystem.

To learn more about sanctuaries in the Chesapeake Bay visit:

Maryland Department of Natural Resources http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Pages/oysters/sanctuaries.aspx

Partners:

Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

Blackwater Distilling – Kent Island

Langenfelder Marine, INC.

United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)

Chesapeake Bay Trust (CBT)

Gateways Network

Grasonville, Kennard, and Sudlersville Elementary Schools

Wye River Upper School

Maryland Conservation Corp (MCC)

CBEC Volunteers

Keith Campbell Foundation

University of Maryland (UMCES) Horn Pt. Laboratory