Leonardtown in St. Mary's County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Restoring Oysters in Breton Bay
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Restauración de ostras en la Breton Bay

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 11, 2026

1. Restoring Oysters in Breton Bay / Restauración de ostras en la Breton Bay Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

In 2010, the State of Maryland declared Breton Bay an oyster sanctuary. Because of this designation, Breton Bay is closed to commercial oyster harvesting to allow the oyster population to thrive.

However there are very few oysters left in Breton Bay, so the local community has been working to bring them back.

En 2010, el estado de Maryland declaró la Bahía de Breton como santuario de ostras. Debido a esta designación, la Bahía de Breton está cerrada a la pesca comercial de ostras para permitir que la población prospere.

Sin embargo, quedan muy pocas ostras en la Bahía de Breton, por lo que la comunidad local ha estado trabajando para recuperarlas.

Why are oysters important?
¿Por qué son importantes las ostras? Breton Bay, MD
Oyster reefs were once abundant in Breton Bay and throughout the Chesapeake. They have almost disappeared, as a result of overfishing, pollution, and diseases.

Los arrecifes de ostras abundaban en la Bahía de Breton y en toda la Bahía de Chesapeake. Casi han desaparecido debido a la sobrepesca, la contaminación y las enfermedades.

From 2017 to 2025, community members planted 5 million oysters in Breton Bay.
Entre el 2017 y 2025, los miembros de la comunidad plantaron 5 mmillones de ostras en la Bahía de Breton.

More Oysters = Better Fishing
More than 300 different species of marine life live on oyster reefs including crabs, fish, mussels, shrimp, and eels. The abundant life on the reef attracts sportfish and blue crabs looking for dinner and is an essential habitat for their young.
Más ostras = Mejor pesca. Más de 300 especies diferentes de vida marina viven en los arrecifes de ostras, incluyendo cangrejos, peces, mejillones, camarones y anguilas. La abundante vide en el arrecife atrae a peces de pesca deportiva y cangrejos azules que buscan su presa y constituye un hábitat esencial para sus crías.

More Oysters = Cleaner Water
As they feed, oysters filter and clean water. A healthy adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water a day, removing pollutants and excess algae.

Más ostras = Agua más limpia. Mientras se alimentan, los ostras filtran y purifican el agua. Una ostra adulta sana puede filtrar hasta 190 litros de agua al día, eliminando contaminantes y el exceso de algas.

More Oysters = Economic Opportunity
Watermen, seafood processors, charter fishing captains, and seafood restaurants all depend on healthy fisheries.

Más ostras = oportunidad económica. Los pescadores, procesadores de mariscos, capitanes de barcos de pesca charter y restaurantes de mariscos dependen de una pesca saludable.

Erected by Chesapeake

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Bay Trust; Friends of St. Clements Bay; St. Mary's River Watershed Association; Town of Leonardtown, Maryland.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 2010.

Location. 38° 17.185′ N, 76° 38.349′ W. Marker is in Leonardtown, Maryland, in St. Mary's County. It is on Washington Street south of Goodwin Way, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 22510 Washington St, Leonardtown MD 20650, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southern Maryland.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker:

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 11, 2026

2. Restoring Oysters in Breton Bay / Restauración de ostras en la Breton Bay Marker

Origins of the Compass Rose (within shouting distance of this marker); Invasion! (within shouting distance of this marker); Discover Southern Maryland's Amazing Stories of Exploration, Hope, and Courage (within shouting distance of this marker); Ways to Explore Southern Maryland's Scenic and Historic Routes (within shouting distance of this marker); Waterfront Park in the Critical Area (within shouting distance of this marker); Trade on the Waterfront (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fun on the Waterfront (about 400 feet away); Breton Bay (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Leonardtown.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 17, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 17, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 17, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Restoring Oysters in Breton Bay⎯⎯⎯Restauración de ostras en la Breton Bay

Restoring Oysters in Breton Bay
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Restauración de ostras en la Breton Bay