Virginia Struggling With Oyster Restoration Efforts -- Part 2
During the past few months Virginia, federal officials and the seafood industry have struggled with how to proceed with state oyster restoration. In some cases the issue has pitted scientists against one another. Today state fisheries managers from around the Chesapeake Bay and the director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Bay Office continue a two-day meeting in the Northern Neck. On their agenda are the next steps for a bay-wide oyster restoration strategy and how to measure its success. WCVE’s Northern Neck Correspondent Pamela D’Angelo reports.
Photo 1: Captain Daniel West shovels the morning's wild caught oysters from his deadrise last fall.
Photo 2: Captain Mike Deal brought in a rare 9-inch oysterfrom the Rappahannock River last fall.It was given to VIMS.
More BS! Talked around the question. How much skin do you have in the game and how many watermen have you employed?
Oyster Company of Virginia has developed an initiative engaging the private sector and the general public to participate in both the revival of the Native Virginia oyster for its value as a shellfish commodity while providing an ecological fish and reef habitat restoration program using a successfully proven artificial reef structure that has been evaluated for over a decade.
The programs: "Oysters For Life"
"OERM" Nutrient Reduction Program
"Oysters For Life" enlists our Virginia Waterman to help them transition from "Hunter Gatherer" to "Aquaculture Farmer" maintaining their independence while taking the "pressure off" the sanctuary and reef restoration programs intended for ecological fish and reef habitat.
OCVA/REEFTEK's partnership provides the "Oyster Eco Reef Module" (OERM)for accelerating the recruitment process of oysters and other filter feeding animals for fish and reef habitat combining the nutrient reduction value it possesses on an annual basis that is being validated as the only true "In Situ" Nutrient Reduction Program that has multiple benefits...including helping to meet our TMDL mandates and the ability to RELAY these reefs from our developed "aqua farms" to areas that need to reconnect what man has destroyed over the past 400 years.
We can actually achieve both ends of the debate....What the politicians must come to terms with is they must engage the private sector in a "For Profit" venue with tax incentives and reasonable guidance from our agencies, and then let those companies like OCVA drive the results. It creates jobs, generates product and provides tax dollars for responsible "investment" back into our Bay and seafood industry.
OCVA's programs are being funded through private investment groups and individuals.
Recognizing the value added proposition of supporting this business matrix for creating and sustaining jobs;building a strong oyster market and reviving our native Virginia oyster is...for All the Right Reasons.
Please visit www.oysterva.com for more information.
Tolar Nolley, Founder, Oyster Company of Virginia
Don't believe a word of it. How many oysters and how much skin in the game does the Oyster Company of Virginia have. Who are these watermen that the Oyster Company of Virginia has enlisted.
The "Concerned Citizen"(who should be named instead of using a non-descript identity and be courteous based on your guidelines) should contact us directly and is welcome to visit our locations, sites, and see our long term strategy and programs. We are valid and committed to this mission...for all the right reasons.
Email: TNolley@oysterva.com
Thank you.
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