In what some might call a federal cop-out, the US Army Corps of Engineers informed Maryland and Virginia that it would not provide a recommendation on whether the states should seed the Chesapeake Bay with Asian oysters.

The Army Corps’ no-decision decision came after researchers spent $15M to find out that the Asian oyster might indeed grow well in Chesapeake Bay - so well that the researchers were concerned that it might outcompete the already-struggling native oyster.

Perhaps understandably, the Corps didn’t want to get in the middle of a values debate, weighing a fisherman’s harvest against the integrity and biodiversity of a region. But the Corps’ lack of a recommendation leaves the contentious decision to each state – and being that multiple states share the waters of the Bay, and oysters don’t pay attention to state lines…one state’s decision could affect the future of the entire Chesapeake Bay.

The least risky way to improve oyster harvests in Chesapeake Bay is to respond to the environmental conditions that are threatening the native oyster. In 2007, only 12% of the Chesapeake Bay had enough oxygen to support seafloor life like oysters, thanks to widespread hypoxic conditions created by agricultural run-off. These pollutant sources have not been addressed in former oyster restoration efforts - and are still not addressed with the introduction of an exotic oyster to Chesapeake Bay.

Via the Washington Post

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Info and action about the Corps' report
written by Kim Ethridge, November 26, 2008

The Corps will be accepting public feedback until December 15 on which one of three options should be taken regarding introducing the Asian oyster. To send a letter in support of the native oyster, go to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's action alert at http://www.cbf.org/native. Also check out "Five Reasons to Go Native" at http://www.cbf.org/site/News2?...envirovore

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