Oysters, ‘robust and growing,’ enjoy breakthrough year in MD

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2025 was a historic year for oyster reproduction in Maryland waters.

The Maryland oyster population is thriving, disease rates remain low and mortality levels are the third lowest since 1985, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources shared in a March 9 release.

Reports state that the concentration of new oysters in 2025 was nearly six times higher than the long-term spatset average and the second highest ever recorded in the 41-year modern history of the state’s annual fall oyster survey.

“This has been an exceptional year for the oysters of the Chesapeake Bay,” Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz said. “In the past year, we learned that the state’s oyster populations have tripled in two decades and we also wrapped up major projects at our oyster restoration sanctuaries.”

“Now we’re finding that oysters are reproducing at levels we haven’t seen in nearly 30 years,” Kurtz continued. “For an important species that’s struggled for many decades, these are great signs of recovery.”

In August 2025, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced that the state had met its commitment to restore five oyster tributaries in the Chesapeake Bay by completing oyster restoration in the Manokin River Sanctuary.

“Maryland is now seeing the best news for our oysters in decades,” Gov. Moore said. “Our robust and growing oyster population will help make sure we pass our Bay along to future generations as an heirloom — both as an economic driver for our seafood industry and for the environmental health of our waterways.”

What are oysters, and what do they look like?

Oysters, the bedrock of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, naturally filter the water and provide habitat for hundreds of other species, the Chesapeake Bay Program said.

Oysters are also edible marine bivalve mollusks that can be consumed both raw and cooked. They grow in shallow, brackish and saltwater bays, estuaries and oceans, Delmarva Now previously reported.

Oysters have a pear-shaped shell featuring a grayish or brownish exterior and soft, white interior. The seafood delicacy is known for its unique, sweet or salty flavor.

Reporting by Olivia Minzola, Salisbury Daily Times. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect.