Outreach & Extension: Aquaculture & Restoration

As populations of aquatic plants, shellfish, and finfish decline in the Chesapeake Bay, aquaculture plays a significant role both in food production and in ecosystem restoration. Aquaculture research, education, innovation, and restoration efforts are helping to reconstruct troubled fisheries and replenish habitats, such as oyster reefs.

The Maryland Sea Grant Extension Program is developing and carrying out a range of effective research and educational programs in aquaculture. Through the work of its Aquaculture & Coastal Restoration Focus Team, Sea Grant Extension targets prospective producers, business owners, commercial harvesters, resource managers, students, and educators, informing them about issues from oyster gardening to sturgeon stocks, to nutrient remediation using aquatic plants.

Working with the Maryland Aquaculture Advisory Council, the Team is developing a “Best Management Practices” guide for all Maryland aquaculture species and production systems. Once complete, the document will be submitted to the Maryland Aquaculture Coordinating Council, a body which assists the development of the industry, reviews its regulatory framework, and makes recommendations for change as needed.

Learn more about the Aquaculture & Coastal Restoration Focus Team’s efforts in the following areas:

Oysters
Finfish
Non-native Species
Aquatic Plants
Crab Shedding