1. The Delaware Bay Oyster Restoration Program
R. Babb, J.Hearon and C. Tomlin
NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife
Delaware Bay Office
Port Norris, NJ 08349, USA
E. Powell, D. Bushek and K. Alcox
Rutgers University
Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory,
Port Norris, NJ 08349, USA

2. Crassostrea virginica is an estuarine species inhabiting
New Jersey
Delaware
New York
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Washington
Chesapeake Bay
Delaware Bay
The filter feeding eastern oyster is an estuarine animal with a tolerance for a wide salinity range.
Today, the most productive beds in the Delaware Bay (that is, those beds currently providing the best recruitment and survival) range from the Cohansey River south to Nantuxent Cove – this range is denoted as red on the slide.
Oysters in the Delaware Bay are typically found in salinities as low as four or five parts per thousand (ppt) and as high as 28 ppt. (sea water is normally 35 ppt.).
However, the optimal salinity range is believed to be about ppt.
In the New Jersey portion of the Delaware Bay, oysters are established in areas of suitable habitat extending along the axis of the estuary from Cape May Point to the Salem nuclear generating station, and in the brackish or lower portions of many tributaries leading into the Bay.
The most productive beds in the Delaware Bay (i.e., currently providing the best recruitment and survival) range from the Cohansey River south to Nantuxent Cove.
Crassostrea virginica is an estuarine species inhabiting
waters of ~ 5 to 30 ppt (ocean water is typically 35 ppt)

3. Ecosystem Function
Oysters are a keystone species in the Delaware Bay, providing the basis for a vast community of benthic organisms.
Oysters and the reefs they create increase habitat and faunal diversity and through their high filtration capacity, they can even improve water quality.
Oysters are a keystone species in the Delaware Bay, providing the basis for a vast community of benthic organisms.
Oysters and the reefs they create increase habitat and faunal diversity and through their high filtration capacity, they can even improve water quality.
Oyster beds provide habitat for many species that the Department actively manage. Oysters will grow on almost any type of stable bottom available (e.g., hard mud, sandy mud, clay, gravel, and preferably, other oysters).
Oysters do not survive well on sandy bottoms that are inclined to be unstable. Likewise, areas adjacent to shifting mud, sand, or organic debris are generally unsuitable, occasionally resulting in oyster smothering during storm events.
Oysters grow from the intertidal zone to a depth of 30 or more feet. The most productive areas on New Jersey’s natural seedbeds and leased grounds range in depth from 6 to 25 feet.

4. Oystering By Sail & Power
Bivalve, NJ
Haskin Lab
Bivalve 1928
Following World War II, harvesting went from sail to power.

5. Traditional Fishery Seed Beds Leased Grounds Culture Intensive
(33,000+ acres)
Culture Intensive
Wild oyster seed harvested from seed beds in upper bay (good survival but slow growth)
Seed transplanted to leased grounds in lower bay (good growth and market-quality meats)
The Traditional Fishery was extensively aquaculture.
Extensive culture practices were employed whereby seed was harvested from the seed beds in the upper bay and transplanted to private grounds in lower bay, where both growth and market-quality was markedly improved

6. Annual harvests from 1 to 2 million bu.
Prosperity!
Annual harvests from 1 to 2 million bu.
From 1880 until 1930, annual oyster production ranged between 1 and 2 million bushels, which supported several communities along the Delaware Bay shores.
This harvest level was often augmented from oyster seed imported from southern states.
Important to note that this harvest was augmented from oyster seed imported from southern states. Not really sustainable!

7. MSX Strikes
Courtesy of S. Ford

8. Gradual Recovery & Limited Entry
They are still fishing!!!!
1960s & 1970s: Native oysters develop some resistance to MSX disease.
Population abundance was high and relatively stable during the 1970s.
1981: NJDEP implements a limited-entry licensing system
Through mid ‘80s, oyster industry provides steady employment
Gradually, the industry rebounded as native oysters developed some resistance to MSX. Several years of abundant spat falls aided in this recovery. Population abundance was high and relatively stable during the 1970s.
State went to limited entry to control harvest and through attrition reduce the fleet.
Through the mid ‘80s, the oyster industry provided steady employment for both NJ & DE
I think anyone who spends anytime at all on boats can appreciate this picture. They have about 8-12” of freeboard near the transom.
They actually made it back to the dock.

9. MSX & Dermo! MSX Again MSX Dermo Direct Market
The oyster industry nearly disappeared during the early 1990s with the insurgence of another parasite that moved in from southern waters: Perkinsus marinus (Dermo). Again, this parasite is harmless to humans, but causes severe mortalities in oysters and forced harvest closures in 1992, 1993 and 1994.
From 1990 to 1995, the oyster industry provided little in jobs or revenue in New Jersey.
As a result, from 1990 to 1995, the oyster industry provided little in jobs or revenue in New Jersey & Delaware, in areas that are chronically afflicted by unemployment substantially above the State average.
Beds
Closed
Beds
Closed

10. A Change In Management
1995: Due to Dermo --- Direct Market Program allows oystermen to harvest oysters (> 2.5 inches) for direct sale.
: 35 to 77 vessels participate annually
State of Delaware begins direct market program in 2001
From 1990 to 1994, because of the significant mortalities caused by dermo, the NJ oyster industry faced an exceedingly uncertain future.
The lack of oysters during the late ‘80s and early ‘90s had resulted in the loss of skilled shuckers; a deterioration of boats, wharves, and buildings; and a diminished market.
Furthermore, transplanting oysters to a leased ground with Dermo lurking was perilous gamble.
In 1995, legislation was passed that allowed oystermen to harvest oysters greater than 2.5” in size for direct sale.
In 1995, the first year the direct market program was permitted, only a few oysterman took advantage of the program. They say old habits die hard, so most oystermen elected to transplant.
That year, 100,000 bushels were transplanted down bay onto leases in the traditional fashion, while only 3,000 bushels were harvested directly for market. Virtually all of the 100,000 bushels died and many oystermen painfully realized that the direct market program was worth exploring.
From 1996 through the current season (2005), anywhere from 35 to 70 oystermen have participated annually in NJ’s program.
The State of Delaware followed suit in 2001 with amendments to their regulations that permitted the direct marketing of oysters from their seed beds.

11. Harvest Stabilization
Significant progress has been made toward stabilizing oyster production.
Delaware Bay consistently produces a high value oyster
Photo: B.C. Posadas
Through the coordinated efforts of the State, Rutgers University and the industry, significant progress had been made toward stabilizing oyster production.
By 2000, annual oyster production in New Jersey had stabilized at 50,000-75,000 bushels, contributing millions of dollars to the coastal counties.
Delaware Bay consistently produces a high value oyster. In a typical year, Delaware Bay oysters bring $25-40 per bushel ($40 this year) whereas Gulf Coast oysters are normally worth half as much ($12-15 per bushel).

12. Unprecedented Low Recruitment!
Dermo Onset
Today, unfortunately, the resource (and industry) is feeling the effects of five consecutive years of below-average biological recruitment (which is the number of young oysters entering the population each year).
This low biological recruitment is unprecedented since the commencement of the Haskin Lab’s annual resource assessment program in 1953 and has resulted in the population size-frequency shifting significantly to larger, marketable oysters, but has left a paucity of small oysters.
Over time, as these marketable oysters are removed through harvest or lost to disease, there are not enough small oysters to replace them.
We do not believe at the recent problems with recruitment are attributable to over-harvesting. We are not exactly sure why this has occurred. It is possible, at least on the last two years that climatological effects are to blame, such as below-average temperatures. Possibly, but unlikely, maybe oyster populations are producing fewer larvae, maybe larvae are having trouble finding clean shell to set on. It could be any number of things.
Either way, history has demonstrated that the oyster beds of Delaware Bay are capable of sustaining oyster populations much larger than present today!
(First, is important to understand a little bit about oyster biology)
When oysters spawn, they release eggs and sperm into the water column where fertilization takes place and free-swimming larvae develop.
Larvae float passively in the water column for roughly two weeks until they sink to the bottom, where each larva seeks a clean surface upon which to attach. Once attached, it is called a spat and remains immobile for its lifetime.
Therefore, we just have to ensure that the larvae can find a clean surface upon which to attach.

13. It’s Not Rocket Science!
Perhaps the most effective method to increase oyster production is the timely planting of clean shell to provide a clean surface needed by setting larvae.
Only a few millimeters of silt can inhibit larvae from setting.
While seed bed shell plantings have enjoyed moderate success during the past, the dearth of juvenile oysters currently on many beds requires a more-innovative approach. Quite frankly, we need more “bang for a our buck”
Despite the recent recruitment failures on the seed beds, relatively high spat sets continue to occur in the inshore areas of the lower Bay.
These areas are, however, highly susceptible to predation and disease and few oysters survive to market size.
Clean Shell, Right Place, Right Time
= Baby Oysters

14. Towed Camera
Divers

15. Hard…Soft mud…shell…
man I hate this!
I still got time…I can still change my major….be a roofer…a Sewage plant gate cleaner!
THE POLE
Pole Trainee

16. Many Thanks to Delaware Coastal Mgmt. Program!!!
Purple = shell
DE Coastal Program
Bart Wilson, Dave Carter
Many Thanks to Delaware Coastal Mgmt. Program!!!
Acoustic-Sediment Classification
Bottom classification based on ‘hardness’

17. Courtesy of DNREC – Bart Wilson
Main Ship Channel
Ship John
Middle
Courtesy of DNREC – Bart Wilson
Bottom sediment distribution on NOAA bathymetry chart, showing the slumping of oyster shell from the Middle / Ship John beds into channel.

18. High Recruitment Zones of Lower Bay
Percentage of years in which natural oyster set on NJ side of Bay will be at least 20 spat per clean oyster shell surface
Therefore, a multiphase program is required to pick up the newly recruited seed and transplant them to areas up Bay that undergo lower disease pressure.
For some perspective: a whole surf clam shell before and after planting in the high set areas of the lower bay.

19. NJDEP’s Pilot Project
During the summer of 2003, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) conducted a multiphase shell-planting program with the objective of augmenting juvenile abundance on the state seed beds by taking advantage of the extraordinary set potential of the lower Bay.
Shell planted – July ‘03
During the summer of 2003, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) conducted a multiphase shell-planting program with the objective of augmenting juvenile abundance on the state seed beds by taking advantage of the extraordinary set potential of the lower Bay.
In July 2003, approximately 25,000 bushels of surf clam shell generated by local processors was planted on an oyster lease adjacent to Reed’s Beach, Cape May County, NJ.
The objective was to augment juvenile abundance on the state seed beds by taking advantage of the extraordinary set potential of the lower Bay.
Despite this potential, this region has rarely been used for shell planting due to the shallow water nature of the area and the difficulties often encountered with shell recovery.

20. Spatted shell reharvested – Sept. ‘03
NJDEP’s Pilot Project
Spatted shell reharvested – Sept. ‘03
The suction dredge vessel, essentially a flouting vacuum was employed to harvest the seed oysters and transplant them 30 miles upbay to an area on the central seed beds.

21. What did we get out of this project?
25,000 bu. clam shell planted
~16,500 bu. of spatted cultch recovered and transplanted
~1,800 spat per bushel
(112 times the ’03 Bay average (only 16 spat/bu.!)
30 million oysters were transplanted to the restoration site (Bennies Sand).
Just read bullets
25,000 bushels of surf clam shell was initially planted
The shell was in areas of the lower Bay known to have very high numbers of spat, but poor juvenile survival rates due to disease and predation. The planted shell, which attracted high numbers of spat, was then recovered from the lower Bay and transplanted on the restoration site on Bennies Sand. The number of spat that settled on the planted shell was 81 times greater than the Bay’s natural production rates. This resulted in upwards of 30 million young oysters being transplanted to the restoration site.

22. What did we get out of this project?
2006 SAW estimated the site would
contribute 13,393 bushels to the 2006
harvest, a 26% increase.
Ex-vessel value of nearly $500,000 (project cost $42,000)
Total economic benefit of nearly $3 million dollars.
Total cost-benefit ratio > $50 to every $1 invested by the State.
Just summarize each bullet

23. A Partnership Approach!
PRIME THE PUMP AND THE INDUSTRY WILL FUND SHELLPLANTING PROGRAM
NJ AND DE OYSTERMEN PAY A $1.25- $2.00 PER BUSHEL LANDING FEE
A Partnership Approach!
US Army Corps of Engineers
NJDEP, Division of Fish and Wildlife
DEDNREC, Division of Fish & Wildlife
NJ & DE Oyster Industry
Rutgers University, Haskin Laboratory
Delaware River and Bay Authority
Delaware River Basin Commission
Partnership for the Delaware Estuary
Delaware Estuary Program
Township of Commercial
State & Federal Legislative Team
Cumberland Co. Empowerment Zone
Beginning in 2001, a group made up of representatives from various agencies from both Delaware and New Jersey began development of a bi-state oyster revitalization initiative.
This group believes that Federal investment to maintain a large-scale shell planting and transplant program is crucial for revitalization of the resource and industry.
Combined efforts of partners have led to the use of $6.5 million in an effort to revitalize the oyster resource in Delaware Bay.

24. NJ & DE Sites 19 sites in NJ 9 sites in DE 2005 2006 2007
These are the places where plantings ultimately occurred.
plants done in DE, 4 in NJ (the BenSnd one was replanted from downbay)
2006--expanded to 3 plants in DE and 8 in NJ (2 BenSnd were replants)
plants in DE, 7 in NJ (3 were replants). Previous plantings had increased abund on ShR and downbay and so in 2007 Plantings were concentrated further upbay to take advantage of enhanced survival (lower dermo mort) and also to maintain habitat quality in an area of high shell loss. (more on that later)

25. Measure it!
Load it!
Count it!
Move it!
Plant it!

26. Native vs. Planted Shell
Low recruitment years
Good Year throughout Bay
Delaware Estuary Science Conference
May 2005

27. How Have We Done So far?
The ’05 -‘08 programs involved the planting of ~1.8 million bushels of shell throughout the Bay.
2005 Metrics:
Plantings had mean recruitment rates nearly 14 times the baywide mean.
2006 Metrics:
Native shell in NJ naturally attracted only 21 spat per bushel, baywide. In contrast, shell planted in high recruitment zones yielded ~ 2,200+ spat per bushel ---- over 105 times more spat than native shell.
2007 Metrics:
Good set throughout Bay – breaks string of 7 yrs of poor recruitment.
Native shell performed as well as planted shell.
Shell budget of NJ beds in balance for first time in a decade.
 Just summarize each bullet

28. Harvest Projections from Restoration Sites
2006
>139,000 bushels*
2007
>108,000 bushels
2005
>57,000 bushels
Bushels Planted
Projected Yield
230,648
478,650
275,683
2008
350,000+
???????????
Year
Multiple year harvest projections, while often tenuous due to the vagaries of nature, have the potential to significantly increase future commercial harvests.
* set
2007 Harvest in NJ = 81,235 Bushels

29. “The Wizard”
Dr. Eric Powell
The Tip of the Spear

30. New Jersey MUST find a way to utilize the Cape Shore Flats
My Personal Crusade!

31. Questions? “Forty-two percent of all statistics are made up”
– Steven Wright, Comedian,
Fake Author
Program is designed to “jump-start” the process while increasing industry reinvestment.
Designed to be self-sustaining
Seems to be working!
It is important to note that the proposed programs are not subsidies. Rather, they are designed to jump-start the revitalization process, while increasing complementary industry reinvestment as the harvest increases. The funding is needed to “prime the pump”.
The industries of New Jersey and Delaware already have in place a landing fee associated with their harvest programs.
For instance in New Jersey, the oyster industry pays a $1.75 landing fee for each bushel of oysters harvested. So, as harvest increases, more money will be generated which will be used to sustain the program.
The working group estimates that there is a need for financial assistance for a period of four to five years.
However, time is critical and the resource needs to be rebuilt to levels where industry re-investment capacity can sustain the program.
Questions?
Thompson’s Beach, Cumberland Co., NJ