Oyster stocks have plunged in the Chesapeake. This resident wants to bring them back

Oyster reefs once abounded in the Chesapeake, but overharvesting slashed their populations, leading to poorer water quality and less habitat for other species. Now, researchers and local residents are finding creative ways to bring their numbers back up. Nature Oyster stocks have plunged in the Chesapeake. This resident wants to bring them back October 31, 20265:00 AM ET Ari Daniel Oyster aid efforts in the Chesapeake Listen · Transcript Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www. npr. org/player/embed/nx-s1-6011228/nx-s1-9971516" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript John Consoli marvels at oysters. "I think I'm more enthusiastic about something that's like a rock than anybody else could possibly be," he says. Ari Daniel/NPR hide caption toggle caption i Ari Daniel/NPR John Consoli stands on the edge of his pier, which juts out from the southern tip of Maryland's Kent Island and into the Chesapeake Bay. He leans over and hoists a mesh the size and shape of a pillowcase out of the water. Environment Maryland Seeks Haven To Refresh Oyster Habitat It's packed with oysters. He manages to get it onto the pier. "These are brand new oysters from this year," he says. "When I got them, they weighed nothing. And this is just three months of growth. The net is chock full, I can hardly pull it up." Once he catches his breath, Consoli marvels at these molluscs. "I think I'm more enthusiastic about something that's like a rock than anybody else could possibly be," he says with a big grin. "I really can't think of many more creatures that do the good that oysters do." The Salt Oyster Archaeology: Ancient Trash Holds Clues To Sustainable Harvesting Oysters underpin the Chesapeake's coastal and estuarine ecosystem. Each adult filters up to 50 gallons of water a day. Cleaner water leads to a healthier bay and more sea grass. "That helps crabs and other organisms," says Consoli. Plus, oyster shells are a habitat unto themselves. "Because of all the nooks and crannies," he explains, "a lot of small fish and crabs live and eat amongst them and hide, so it creates a biodiverse environment. I even found a seahorse, which was incredible. I've never seen a seahorse in my life!" Robots scanning for oysters Oyster reefs used to abound in the Chesapeake, but overharvesting decimated their ranks — by over 99% by 2011, according to one estimate.