Say ‘no' to power dredging oysters in the Patuxent

Friday, March 20, 2009

If passed, HB 584 would authorize power dredging and patent tonging for oysters in the Patuxent River in the area between Battle Creek and St. Leonard's Creek.

These methods of oystering would virtually wipe out the remaining stock of wild oysters in this part of the Patuxent, and would destroy the three-dimensional structure on the bottom which provides fish and crab habitat.

It would be the underwater equivalent of clear-cutting a forest.

The area of the Patuxent that would be devastated as part of HB 584 has provided productive fishing and crabbing for many recreational anglers and charter boats over the years.

Given the many reasons why HB 584 is bad for Calvert and St. Mary's counties, it is most shocking that its primary sponsors are Calvert's own elected representatives, Dels. Tony O'Donnell (D-Calvert, St. Mary's) and Sue Kullen (D-Calvert).

They should know better, especially Mr. O'Donnell, who is currently serving on the Maryland Oyster Advisory Committee (OAC). HB 584 is in direct conflict with recent recommendations made by the OAC for a sustainable oyster fishery.

While power dredging the Patuxent may put a few oysters in the baskets of local watermen, it is a bad short term patch to a problem that deserves a good long term solution.

Aquaculture technologies exist today which would provide a very good long term solution for our watermen. Kullen and O'Donnell should focus their legislative efforts in this area.

Donald McDougall, Solomons