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In an effort to introduce more water-filtering oysters in the South River, South River Federation is participating in the state's Marylanders Grow Oysters program. This program would not be possible without the Oyster Recovery Partnership.
Oysters can filter 50+ gallons of water a day - which translates into clearer water, and hopefully more SAV, which in turn provides habitat for crabs, fish and other river creatures.
in our first year, 2009 - 1020; we had 80 oyster gardeners with over 400 oyster cages. Thanks to all our growers!!!
For the 2010-2011 year, we are hoping to surpass this number. We are compiling the list for our next growing season and need to hear from you soon, if you'd like to participate. Please click here to send Cindy Wallace an email, if you need more information and/or want to sign up for cages. Need to know where you live and how many cages you want.
Here's the way it works...
If you have a private or community pier that is in a tidal area and you always have water, especially during the freezing temps during the winter - then you probably qualify to have oyster cages. There is a bit of manual labor involved, as you will need to keep your cages clean of algae. This requires either using the 'tea bag" method (raising and lowering the cages in the water), or if this does not work, you need to use more effective method by hosing off with a garden hose. Click here for a more detailed sheet of how to care for your oyster cages. One of our current growers made this adaptation for easier cage lifting - this may work for some of you who can't tollerate too much bending and lifting. Click here to see picture of how it works.
The other thing - oysters can not live in freezing air temperatures!!! But are OK in freezing water. So you they must be in a location on your pier in the winter where they will always be under water.
Ways to hang from pier....
We will be collecting the oysters we delivered last year the first week of June and planting on a sanctuary reef in South River. I'll communicate directly with growers to let you know exactly when and how this will work.
For folks who participated last year and want to get more oysters this year, you will keep your cages and we'll re-fill them in late August/early September. (exact details yet to be decided). If you are a NEW grower this year, you will receive cage and oysters at the same time in the fall, but I need to know how many you want so I can place the order now.
Other programs for growing oysters include the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, who has been organizing oyster garden workshops for many years and this opportunity is still available. Fee for gardeners is $75.00, $25.00 of which is tax-deductible. So if you miss the opportunity for the MGO program - plesae contact CBF and sign up with them.
To learn more about oysters and the history of watermen and oysters on the Chesapeake Bay, be sure to visit the Annapolis Maritime Museum and their new exhibit "Oysters on the Half Shell".
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On January 7, 2008, the Anne Arundel County Council passed Bill 85-07, sponsored by Councilwoman Cathy Vitale. This legislation provides an opportunity for property owners to apply for a credit to their property taxes if they implement stormwater management techniques that reduce the overall runoff of stormwater on their property. This property tax credit is available to owners of residential or commercial properties in the County. The legislation as adopted provides for:
