In October, oystermen on the Chesapeake Bay began to experience the best year in decades with officials estimating the harvest to double over last year.
2012’s dry weather encouraged high water salinities this season, playing a big part in oyster growth.
It’s been a “blessing” for watermen, who have endured a gradual reduction in past seasons.
With the bigger harvest comes a blessing for the oyster loving consumer. Wholesale buyers used to pay around $35 a bushel and now, they are only paying about $25.
Oyster sanctuaries were created by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, and pollution measures were adopted recently, in an effort to encourage natural reproduction and stave off steep reductions in the population.
(READ the story in My Eastern Shore MD)