Oyster Reef

Oyster Reef. . , The Chesapeake Bay’s native Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is the keystone species and building block for habitat in the Bay (shown in picture below). The survival rate and diversity of other Bay organisms are directly connected to the abundance of the oyster. By filtering algae and sediment from the water, these immobile bivalves improve water quality. One adult oyster alone can filter on average forty-eight gallons of water a day., As the entire Severn River is an oyster sanctuary, harvesting is prohibited. During the summer of 2011, an oyster reef was planted below the fishing pier, with over 2 million baby oysters (also known as “spat”) planted by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation in partnership with Restore America’s Estuaries and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As this reef continues to grow and mature, this three dimensional structure will attract a diverse selection of smaller species for larger fish and crabs to feed on. These oysters are helping to Save the Bay!, [Caption:] , Eastern Oyster, Blue Crab, Oyster Toad Fish, Rockfish-Please don’t discard any fishing line, it is very hazardous to our park’s fish and fowl.