05-31-2009, 11:13 AM
Annapolis, Maryland - Workboats will prepare oyster bars in the Severn River for baby oyster (spat) to be planted next spring. The watermen, impacted by the beleaguered Chesapeake Bay blue crab fishery, were hired as part of Governor Martin O'Malley's economic mitigation work projects. Reporters are invited to join Mike Naylor of the Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service and the Oyster Recovery Partnership's Executive Director Stephan Abel on Wednesday, March 4 at 10 a.m. to learn more about the water-based economic mitigation projects and interview working watermen aboard their vessels.
WHAT: DNR HIRES WATERMEN TO REHABILITATE
OYSTER SANCTUARY BARS IN SEVERN RIVER
WHEN: Wednesday, March 4 from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Depart from City Dock in Annapolis
Meet at the end of Dock Street in the parking lot.<br />
Note: Reporters are advised to dress warmly.
BACKGROUND: The oyster bar rehabilitation program began in November of 2008 and once complete will have provided at least 10 days of paid work to over 500 watermen. Every year, the Chesapeake Bay loses 2,600 acres of hard bottom oyster habitat. By the end of these projects watermen will have reclaimed shell on 1,000 acres of oyster reefs.
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The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors.DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more atwww.DNR.Maryland.gov.
Media Contact<br />
Kara Turner (410) 260-8018, (443) 980-2599 (cell) or katurner@dnr.state.md.us
WHAT: DNR HIRES WATERMEN TO REHABILITATE
OYSTER SANCTUARY BARS IN SEVERN RIVER
WHEN: Wednesday, March 4 from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Depart from City Dock in Annapolis
Meet at the end of Dock Street in the parking lot.<br />
Note: Reporters are advised to dress warmly.
BACKGROUND: The oyster bar rehabilitation program began in November of 2008 and once complete will have provided at least 10 days of paid work to over 500 watermen. Every year, the Chesapeake Bay loses 2,600 acres of hard bottom oyster habitat. By the end of these projects watermen will have reclaimed shell on 1,000 acres of oyster reefs.
###
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors.DNR manages more than 449,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more atwww.DNR.Maryland.gov.
Media Contact<br />
Kara Turner (410) 260-8018, (443) 980-2599 (cell) or katurner@dnr.state.md.us