Annapolis in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Oysters: Vital to Nature. Vital to Our Future.
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 10, 2018
The Capital, 2009
Vital to Nature
The native Eastern or American oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is a keystone species in the Chesapeake Bay. With lifespan of 10+ years, oyesters clean the Bay by filtering algae from the water. A single mature oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day. The Bay used to be filtered in days, now it takes over a year.
Oysters also naturally create three-dimensional reefs which provide surface for new oysters and other filter feeders like mussels, barnacles and sponges. Small fish like gobies, blennies and toadfish use oyster reefs as their primary habitat, which attract larger fish, like white perch and striped bass, and blue crabs.
Vital to Our Future
The State of Maryland and a group of dedicated oyster restoration partners are using the latest science and technology to rebuild the oyster population. Efforts include annually producing and planting hundreds of millions of disease-free, hatchery raised oysters on targeted oyster reefs to return their vital function to the Bay. Maryland watermen and entrepreneurs are also farm raising oysters and clams to produce and supply the public with locally grown, sustainable food.
Erected by Oyster Recovery Partnership, Chesapeake Bay Trust, Annapolis Maritime Museum, FishAmerica Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, City of Annapolis, US Army Corps of Engineers, University of Maryland-Center for Environmental Science-Horn Point Laboratory, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 2009.
Location. 38° 58.127′ N, 76° 28.563′ W. Marker is in Annapolis, Maryland, in Anne Arundel County. Marker can be reached from 2nd Street south of Bay Shore Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 723 2nd Street, Annapolis MD 21403, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oysters: Vital to Commerce. Vital to Culture. (here, next to this marker); Oysters: Vital to the Lifeline of the Chesapeake (here, next to this marker); From this spot, you can see 1998 - Annapolis: America's Sailing Capital (here, next to this marker); From this spot, you can see 1919 - Oysters: The Bay's "White Gold" (here, next to this marker); From this spot, you can see 1887 - The Age of Steam (here, next to this marker); From this spot, you can see 1672 - Providence: Settlement on the Severn
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), March 10, 2018
Credits. This page was last revised on May 3, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 11, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 154 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 11, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.