A Look at Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration

November 01, 2021

It has been a busy year for oyster restoration around the Chesapeake Bay. Here are some snapshots of the restoration process.

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New England/Mid-Atlantic

A crane is docked next to a pile of oyster shells

This recycled oyster shell was used to build an oyster reef in Virginia's Lynnhaven River. Healthy adult oysters on nearby reefs spawn annually, and their offspring will help populate the new reef within a couple of years. Photo: Lynnhaven River Now

A man inside a construction crane moves hard substrate from a barge — The view from inside the crane cockpit as the crane operator moves hard substrate from a barge into the Tred Avon River in Maryland to build an oyster reef. Photo: U.S. Army photo by Christopher Fincham

Several oyster shells with smaller shells attached to them — Spat on shell—juvenile oysters—are grown at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Hatchery. Spat are the small shells in this photo that are attached to the bigger shells. There are a handful of spat on each larger shell in this picture. They are created when oyster larvae settle on hard substrate, like these recycled oyster shells. They then grow into oysters, including growing their own shells that are still attached to the original larger shell. This process is how oyster reefs grow. Photo: Horn Point Lab Hatchery

Spat on shell are washed off of a boat through a swinging door — Spat-on-shell—juvenile oysters—are planted in the Tred Avon River by the Oyster Recovery Partnership using a specially outfitted boat. Photo: Oyster Recovery Partnership

A healthy oyster reef — A healthy, restored oyster reef is home to many species, serves as habitat for other species, and helps clean the water. Photo: Oyster Recovery Partnership

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Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration

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2022 NOAA Northeast Sea Scallop Survey Results

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New England/Mid-Atlantic

A color image taken in a well-lit laboratory counter. A ruler is laid horizontally in the center of the image in the background. Three larger scallops are laid side-by-side along the top edge of the ruler and three smaller scallops are laid side-by-side along the lower edge. Each scallop has distinct, and different, striped patterns on the top shells.

Atlantic sea scallops collected during the 2022 survey show the variety in coloration for this species. Alt text: A color image taken in a well-lit laboratory counter. A ruler is laid horizontally in the center of the image in the background. Three larger scallops are laid side-by-side along the top edge of the ruler and three smaller scallops are laid side-by-side along the lower edge. Each scallop has distinct, and different, striped patterns on the top shells. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Christen Kirkun

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Change in Command Ceremony Ushers in New Officer in Charge of the Gloria Michelle

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New England/Mid-Atlantic

In the foreground, two men in light colored uniforms stand at attention while between them a woman in a colorful dress focuses on a small pin in her hands. In the background, a blonde woman is behind a podium, and a man in a dark jacket is seated at the far right.

Laurie Creed pins her son, Lt. Jr. Grade Alexander Creed, as he takes command of the R/V Gloria Michelle. Credit: NOAA Fisheries

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NOAA Corps Officer Enjoys Experience in All Aspects of NOAA Missions

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New England/Mid-Atlantic

Alex Creed checking dive gear in bow of boat.

Last updated by NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office on November 01, 2021

A Look at Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration

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2022 NOAA Northeast Sea Scallop Survey Results

Change in Command Ceremony Ushers in New Officer in Charge of the Gloria Michelle

NOAA Corps Officer Enjoys Experience in All Aspects of NOAA Missions

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