Oyster Recovery Partnership

Oyster reefs are one of the most endangered habitats on the planet, yet they vital to maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem. Oyster populations in the Chesapeake Bay were once capable of filtering the entire Bay in a matter of days, now it would take the remaining population more than a year. They are a keystone species of the Chesapeake Bay and without them other species and water quality will suffer.

The Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that plans, promotes and implements science-based and sustainable shellfish restoration, aquaculture and wild fishery activities to protect our environment, support our economy and preserve our cultural heritage.

The ORP was commissioned as a coalition of various stakeholders that contribute to large-scale oyster restoration in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay. As a result of this successful partnership, nearly 4 billion oysters have been planted on 1,500 acres of oyster reefs and nearly 30,000 bushels of shell have been recycled to provide homes for new oysters.

Why is it necessary to restore oysters in the Bay?

1. Oysters are natural Bay cleaners. They improve water quality by filtering silt, sediment, and excess nutrients out of the water.
2. Oyster reefs provide a three dimensional, habitat for other marine life such as mussels, barnacles (which filter the water too) and the iconic Blue Crab.
3. Finfish like gobies, blennies and toadfish use oyster reefs as their primary habitat, which attract larger fish.

Currently oyster populations are at an all time low.  Habitat loss, historic overfishing, disease and poor water quality have lead to the decline of this once plentiful animal.  Your contribution to our cause will truly have an impact on restoring oysters in the Chesapeake Bay.