Resources

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Founded in 1967, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is the largest independent conservation organization dedicated solely to saving the Bay. With offices in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia and 15 field centers, CBF leads the way in restoring the Bay and its rivers and streams. For more than 50 years, we have created broad understanding of the Bay’s health and engaged public leaders in making commitments to restore the Chesapeake. We continue to engage in education, advocacy, litigation, and restoration to turn the tide and leave a legacy of clean water for future generations.

Department of Natural Resources – Marylanders Grow Oysters Program

Marylanders Grow Oysters is managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in conjunction with the Oyster Recovery Partnership, the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, and local organizations. The goal is to engage citizens to foster and protect young oysters during their vulnerable first year of life, so they may be planted on local sanctuaries where the oysters can enrich the ecosystem and the oyster population.

Oyster Recovery Partnership

The Oyster Recovery Partnership is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that designs, promotes and implements consensus-based and scientifically-sustainable shellfish ecological restoration, aquaculture and commercial fishery activities to improve the environment and expand economic opportunities in the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays and beyond.

MARBIDCO’s Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Financing Programs

In partnership with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), this program offers affordable financing to watermen (and others) who wish to transition to wild oyster harvesting to start or expand underwater shellfish farming enterprises using leased growing areas in the Chesapeake or Coastal Bays plans.

Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC)

SMADC offers a new loan fund program for Southern Maryland agricultural and oyster farmers for the foundation and expansion of shellfish aquaculture. MARBIDCO administers the loan program on behalf of SMADC.

Patuxent Environmental and Aquatic Research Laboratory Oyster Hatchery (PEARL)

The mission of the Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research Laboratory (PEARL) is to provide society with the knowledge to solve its environmental challenges through research, education and economic development.

Piney Point Aquaculture Center

Part of the Maryland Fisheries Service, this shellfish hatchery specializes in oyster production and related services to support oyster habitat restoration projects, the aquaculture industry, the commercial fishing industry and the Marylanders Grow Oysters program.

Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

The Horn Point Laboratory, located on more than 800 acres on the banks of the Choptank River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, has advanced society’s understanding of the world’s estuarine and ocean ecosystems. Horn Point scientists are widely respected for their interdisciplinary programs in oceanography, water quality, restoration of seagrasses, marshes and shellfish and for expertise in ecosystem modeling. With ongoing research programs spanning from the estuarine waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the open waters of the world’s oceans, Horn Point is a national leader in applying environmental research and discovery to solve society’s most pressing environmental problems.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, is committed to improving the health of the Chesapeake Bay through collaborative environmental restoration efforts, including oyster restoration and permitting for aquaculture projects. The agency issues permits for aquaculture work to be performed in areas leased by the Maryland DNR.  Aquaculture farmers need both a lease from DNR and a permit from the Army Corps in order to set up a project in the Bay.

Department of Natural Resources – Shellfish Related Program

Provides planting resources, permits, education, training and support for watermen, aquaculture producers as well as non-commercial aquaculture.

Maryland Department of Agriculture Maryland's Best Marketing Program

The State’s agriculture and seafood marketing program. Seafood is one of Maryland’s greatest natural resources and fits perfectly into a balanced, healthy diet. Eat local seafood, eat Maryland’s Best!

Maryland Shellfish Growers Network

The Maryland Shellfish Growers Network provides resources for new and veteran shellfish farmers, with training, technical assistance, outreach, and mentoring to our members to support and promote aquaculture in Maryland.

Southern Maryland Shellfish Growers Association (SMSGA)

The SMSGA is comprised of shellfish farmers from Anne Arundel, Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s Counties. A diverse group of watermen, businessmen, and entrepreneurs who are passionate about aquaculture. Our mission is to promote shellfish aquaculture, to discuss issues and concerns, to find solutions to the problems facing shellfish aquaculture, and to speak as one voice in advocating for the SMSGA, its mission, and its members.

For information contact:

SMSGA President
Brian Russell
(240) 538-1336 or email: btr1286@gmail.com,
SMSGA Vice President
Jon Farrington
johnnyoysterseed@gmail.com

Calvert County Watermen’s Association

The goal of the Calvert County Watermen’s Association is to improve water quality to ensure the future harvest of seafood. It consists of local full- and part-time commercial watermen who make their living harvesting seafood from local waterways.

Charles County Watermen’s Association

The goal of the Waterman’s Association of Charles County is to represent those who harvest seafood from local waterways and assist in the health of the waters to ensure a sustainable harvest of seafood. The Charles County Oyster Committee has established rotational harvest areas on four oyster bars in the Wicomico River. The concept started in 2014, with the watermen closely monitoring growth and mortality with the help of Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Anne Arundel Watermen’s Association

A non-profit organization established for the purpose of protecting community-based commercial fishing while advocating for sustainable fisheries and a healthy Chesapeake Bay. aawatermen@yahoo.com

St. Mary’s County Watermen’s Association

Supporting watermen and oyster aquaculture. Chairman – John “Willy” Dean. Please call for information: (301) 904-8078