For hundreds of years the native oyster, Crassostrea virginica, has played a key role in the ecological and economic health of the Bay. Over-harvesting, habitat destruction, and disease have reduced oyster populations to less than 1% of historic levels. The dramatic decline in oysters has had devastating effects on the ecology, economy, and culture of the Bay.

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) is working to restore a healthy oyster population to the Bay. In 2006, NCBO provided $4 million in funding for native oyster restoration and almost $2 million for oyster disease research. Please see our native oyster web pages for more information on this ecologically and commercially important Bay species.

Due to dramatic declines in Chesapeake Bay oyster populations, the states of Maryland and Virginia are considering an introduction of a non-native oyster species, Crassostrea ariakensis, to their tidal waters including the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coastal bays. C. ariakensis appears to be more resistant to the diseases that have devastated the native oyster population, and some hope that this Asian oyster will be able to revitalize the oyster industry and improve water quality in the Bay.

Research is being conducted to help provide information for the Environmental Impact Statement currently being developed for the proposed introduction. Please see our non-native oyster pages for more information on the proposal to introduce C. ariakensis into the Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland Oyster Advisory Commission Established September 2007, the group is charged with developing new strategies for rebuilding and managing the Chesapeake Bay's oyster population. Oyster EIS Team Announces Project Status and Timeline Draft EIS now planned for May 2008 Virginia Oyster Heritage Program's Oyster Management Plan for the Lower Rappahannock River A recommendation to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (August 2007) that may be used as a model for other rivers. Report to the Senate on Oyster and Blue Crab Restoration NOAA's June 2007 comprehensive report on the progress made to date and strategic plans for the future of these efforts. Virginia Blue Ribbon Oyster Panel's Final Report and Recommendations The Panel's May 2007 Report to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission on pursuing innovative methods to restore the native oyster population and better manage its fishery.