Maryland awarded $800K to restore oysters in Chesapeake Bay

More than 1,000 baby oysters, or spat, are in each of these bags used in 2011 to create a sanctuary oyster reef in Virginia waters. (U.S. Army photo/ Pamela Spaugy)

WASHINGTON — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has awarded $800,000 to Maryland to help restore the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population.

Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin announced the award in a news release Tuesday.

The award to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will go to producing and planting 1.5 billion hatchery seeds in three years.