 OVERFISHING OYSTERS IN THE CHESPEAKE BAY Aaron Natoli Carleton 4/20/14

What is Overfishing  Overfishing is when more fish are being caught and killed faster than they can reproduce.

Origins of the Bay  The Chesapeake (meaning "great shellfish Bay" in Algonquin)  Oyster harvesting has been around since the early 1800’s  It is said that there were so many oysters beds lining the water that it was nearly impossible not to hit one with your boat

Early Oyster Harvesting  There where certain methods of how to harvest oysters in the early years. ( nets, rakes, etc.)  In 1865 oyster dredging became legal. It was a more faster and easier way to collect the oysters. - Drag giant nets behind the boat which scrapes the bottom collecting the oysters - Downfall is that it destroys reefs and beds as well as other species of fish

1980’S  During the 1980’s oysters where introduced to two deadly diseases MSX and Dermo  MSX- Is a bacterial disease which is transferred oyster to oyster. It is harmless to humans  Dermo- Parasite that travels from dead oysters to live ones same as MSX it is harmless to human health.  These two disease killed a large majority of oysters in the bay and the numbers are still affected today.

Today’s Effects  The oyster population has depleated 98% since the 1800’s and is still dropping.  In 2005, 79,600 bushels of oysters where caught in Virginia.

Illegal Harvesting  Illegal Harvesting has been around since the 1800’s  Unlike legal harvesting there is no set limit to what the fisherman can catch in a day.  Also it was found that 9% of illegal fishing took place in infested dirty water.  This could make hundreds of thousands of citizens sick.

Economic Effects  Overfishing has effected the economy in many ways.  According the the Chesapeake Bay Foundation due to overfishing there has been a 4 billion dollar lose in the past 30 years.  Overfishing also effects restaurants as well as fisherman. - Restaurants: having to charge more for oysters due to the high demand - Fisherman charge the markets more because of traveling out farther in hopes of finding oysters.

Recovery  The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) has been one of the main contributors to helping bring the numbers of the oysters back.  This organization helped with rebuilding reefs and beds for the oysters - Built with concrete with holes dug in to help house the oysters - Then put in a safe and clean water so they can grow. The state of Maryland has poured more than 50 million dollars into rebuilding the ecosystem.

Citations Solomons, M.D. "Chesapeake Oyster Population Less Than One Percent of Historic Levels - Overfishing, Disease, and Habitat Loss Have Led to Continued Declines in Maryland's Portion of the Bay." The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Home Page. University of Maryland, 31 Aug Web. 14 Apr Oysters - Fish Facts - Chesapeakebay.noaa.gov." Oysters - Fish Facts - Chesapeakebay.noaa.gov. Noaa, Web. 14 Apr Wilberg, Michael J., Maude E. Livings, Jennifer S. Barkman, Brian T. Morris, and Jason M. Robinson. Overfishing, Disease, Habitat Loss, and Potential Extirpation of Oysters in Upper Chesapeake Bay. Rep. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 31 Aug Web. 14 Apr

Citations  Fears, Darryl. "Chesapeake Bay Oyster Appears to Be in Recovery Mode." Washington Post. The Washington Post, 03 May Web. 14 Apr  Rothschild, B.J., J.S. Ault, and P. Goulletquer. Decline of Chesapeake Bay Oyster Population a Century of Habitat Destruction and Overfishing. Rep. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 11 Aug Web. 14 Apr  "Eastern Oyster." More Than Just the Bay. Chesapeake Bay Foundation, n.d. Web. 14 Apr