Ideally, you will return them to CBF in late spring/early summer. These big, nine-month-old oysters have a greater chance of surviving once they are planted on sanctuary reefs than they would if we simply took them right from the hatchery and planted them.Īfter nine months of growing your oysters, you return them to CBF for planting on sanctuary oyster reefs. Keeping oysters in cages allows them maximum exposure to oxygen and plankton, which means they will grow faster than they would in their natural habitat on the Bay bottom. You then tend these oysters for about nine months. New gardeners are required to attend a training session, from which you will leave with everything you need to grow oysters, including cages and about 1,000 to 2,000 spat (baby oysters). Once grown, the adult oysters are returned to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for planting on sanctuary reefs. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's oyster gardening program gives people the opportunity to help bring back this vital species by growing oysters alongside their docks. Unfortunately, though, today's oyster population is a fraction of its original level. They also provide essential habitat for fish and other Bay creatures. Oysters are the Chesapeake Bay's best natural filters. Can you give me a quick overview of how the oyster gardening program works?Ī. While upscale restaurants do place a hefty premium on a dozen, knowing what you know now, oysters at most places are a true bargain.Q. So gobble up those $1 happy hour oysters when you can, and perhaps $2 or so a piece is understandable. Oysters in the south are much cheaper than oysters in New England. How much should a MA oyster cost? Price can depend on availability, and after a bad winter like this past year, a lot of crop is compromised. Oysters vary in price up and down the east coast. Despite all the hard work, time and risky investment, the Mullins were grinning ear to ear while lifting heavy crates piled high with glistening sharp shells. They both agreed, "We wouldn't want to do anything else.we'll be doing this until our backs won't let us.". Some of those years were really good, other years there was only a small percentage of their initial crop to sell. The Mullins have been in business for 20 years. Better move these oysters quick, you need space and money for this season's seed! ![]() It didn't help that this past winter was brutal-25% of your crop was crushed and stressed by ice.Īfter working long days and investing a lot of your time and money, you can sell about 50% of your initial crop (if you're lucky!). As an effect, 20% of your crop was infected. Your neighbor grower had poor disease management procedures in the fall. Last summer your oysters looked so good that someone stole a few bins (theft is not unheard of!). Will you have every oyster that you started with last spring? Of course you won't! What could go wrong? When there's the threat of ice flows, they head to the farm to bring the oysters in.Ĭongratulations! In a few months your seed from last spring may be market size (2.5 inches). They keep their oysters out in the estuary during the winter so they need to keep their attention on the weather. ![]() Scorton Creek Oysters, however, are in business all year round. Some growers take their oysters out of the water once they’re dormant and "pit" them- either storing them underground below the frost line or in commercial refrigerator. Dormancy is when their physiological functions slow down and take a break. Oysters go into dormancy during the winter. They're great to eat right before they become dormant. The diploids have finished spawning and have been building their biomass. Fall is considered to be a great oyster season.
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