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Updated: March 28, 2024

Remote Setting

Remote Setting is a method of producing seed that was developed in the Pacific Northwest. It relies on hatcheries to produce oyster seed up to the eyed pediveliger stage just prior to the time when the animals get ready to undergo metamorphosis, attach to a substrate and become spat.
Image of remote setting tank at Horn Point Lab
Updated: March 28, 2024

Contained Culture

Several types of contained culture gear are currently used in Maryland - bottom cages, midwater gear, and surface floats.
Image of Horn Point Laboratory's Oyster Demonstration Farm
Updated: January 30, 2024

Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Industry: 2022 at a Glance (FS-2023-0702)

The Maryland oyster aquaculture industry reported a record harvest of 94,257 bushels in 2022, an increase of 4.5% from the previous record in 2021. Bay scallop harvest also increased by 39.9% compared to 2021. (The number and value of bay scallops harvested is not reported to maintain business privacy since there are fewer than three growers in the state.) The average price of single oysters dropped slightly while the average price for oysters sold as bushels increased. The estimated dockside value of the oyster aquaculture industry in Maryland for 2022 was $7,296,543. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources received 17 new aquaculture lease applications and issued 18 new leases in 2022. Authors: Matthew Parker, Donald Webster, and Rebecca Thur; Title: Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Industry-2022 at a Glance (FS-2023-0702).
Updated: October 9, 2023

Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Industry-2021 at a Glance (FS-2023-0672)

After facing a number of challenges in 2018-2020, the shellfish aquaculture industry in Maryland rebounded in 2021 with a record harvest for oyster aquaculture and the first reported farm-raised bay scallop harvest. The number of leases and acres leased for shellfish aquaculture remained largely consistent with 2020, but oyster harvest increased to a record high of over ninety thousand bushels and a dockside value of over $6 million (Maryland Department of Natural Resources, 2022). Authors: Shannon Hood, Matthew Parker, Cathy Liu, Fredrika Moser, Allen Pattillo, and Donald Webster; Title: Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Industry: 2021 at a Glance (FS-2023-0672)
Updated: March 7, 2022

Aquaculture Programs

University of Maryland Extension has conducted quality educational programs for aquaculture development for over four decades. These have included outreach training for the production of finfish, shellfish and aquatic plants. Our longest running programs have encouraged the production of oysters and clams, which are important resources for economic growth, employment and the environment.
Oysters
Updated: February 2, 2022

Oyster Hatchery

Oyster hatcheries have gained a detailed understanding of the oyster life cycle and critical components. They can manipulate conditions during certain periods of the oyster life cycle to extend their spawning season well beyond a natural spawning season, and they can augment production by providing highly suitable food and other conditions to maximize efficiency and production.
Image of Hatchery tanks full of oysters
Updated: February 2, 2022

Bottom Culture

The traditional method of oyster production is bottom culture using a Submerged Land Lease (SLL) granted by the State of Maryland. This creates a landlord/tenant relationship between the grower and the State, allowing the leaseholder to grow oysters using methods that mimic a natural oyster reef.
Underwater oysters
Updated: February 2, 2022

Advanced Lease Management

University of Maryland Extension is assisting aquaculture farmers through education and workshops to demonstrate how to gather data to make more informed decisions about their leases and animals.
Oysters
Updated: December 16, 2021

Oyster Hatchery

Hatcheries give a detailed understanding of the oyster life cycle and critical components. They can manipulate conditions during certain periods of the oyster life cycle to extend their spawning season well beyond a natural spawning season, and they can augment production by providing highly suitable food and other conditions to maximize efficiency and production.
Image of Hatchery tanks full of oysters
Updated: August 4, 2021

Meet the Maryland Aquaculture Industry

Maryland offers both traditional Submerged Land Leases as well as Water Column Leases and, with the development of a Regional General Permit with the US Army Corps of Engineers, has been able to make permits easier to obtain. There are also Nursery Permits for those producing seed.
Oyster cages