ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland lawmakers enjoyed fresh, local oysters on Lawyer’s Mall in Annapolis on March 18 as Chesapeake Bay advocates and oyster growers demonstrated the importance of funding for oyster restoration and Chesapeake Bay cleanup. Dozens of lawmakers and Moore administration members relished raw and roasted oysters farmed by Maryland aquaculture businesses across the state, including Dorchester and St. Mary’s Counties. The event, hosted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) and Chesapeake Oyster Alliance (COA), a coalition of more than 100 non-profits, academic institutions, oyster growers, and other businesses, with a goal to add 10 billion oysters to the Chesapeake Bay by the end of 2025, highlighted the potential impacts of looming state budget cuts on critical programs for the Bay and its tributaries.

Oysters are vital to the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, filtering up to 50 gallons of water per day and playing a key role in water quality. However, funding for oyster restoration, the aquaculture industry, and Chesapeake Bay recovery are at risk due to Maryland’s $3 billion budget deficit. The Department of Legislative Services has recommended substantial cuts to environmental programs, such as the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays 2010 Trust Fund and Clean Water Commerce program. These programs directly support communities and businesses involved in oyster restoration and pollution reduction efforts.

“Despite current budget challenges, we cannot risk backsliding on Maryland’s promise to clean up the Bay and its tributaries,” said Allison Colden, CBF Maryland Executive Director. “Steep funding cuts to key environmental programs could jeopardize water quality progress, as well as jobs and investments in our Chesapeake economy.”

The Clean Water Commerce program, for example, provides funding to aquaculture growers who implement practices that improve water quality. This program compensates businesses that grow oysters in local waterways, demonstrating tangible water quality results. Johnny Shockley, founder of Blue Oyster Environmental aquaculture company, emphasized the importance of the program, stating, “Protecting the Chesapeake Bay’s health is of paramount importance. We have made significant progress, and it is crucial that we continue to safeguard our state’s future by maintaining funding for vital programs such as the Clean Water Commerce Fund.”

In addition to funding cuts, the event also saw advocates pushing for several oyster-related bills currently under consideration in the General Assembly. These include supporting Governor Moore’s Chesapeake Bay Legacy Act (HB506/SB428), which aims to modernize fisheries management and streamline aquaculture leasing; and opposing bills that could weaken penalties for oyster poaching, limit aquaculture expansion, and prohibit the state from accepting federal funding for oyster sanctuary restoration.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation urges legislators to reject proposed environmental cuts and support Governor Moore’s original budget proposal for the environment.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo via Pixabay

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