Maryland Sees Record-Breaking Oyster Reproduction in 2025

Governor Moore announces historic highs for juvenile oysters, signaling potential turning point for Chesapeake Bay

Mar. 10, 2026 at 6:50pm

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In a monumental victory for the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced that 2025 marked a historic high for the state's oyster population. According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) annual fall survey, the concentration of juvenile oysters, or 'spat,' was nearly six times higher than the long-term average, representing the second-highest reproductive success recorded in the 41-year history of the modern census.

Why it matters

Oysters are considered the 'bedrock' of the Chesapeake Bay, as a single adult oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, removing algae and clarifying the water for other species. Economically, oysters are Maryland's second-most valuable dockside catch, trailing only the blue crab, bringing in an average of $18 million annually between 2021 and 2025.

The details

The 2025 survey results revealed staggering growth across the state's waterways, with an average of 250 spat per bushel (the long-term average is just 42.2), and peak locations finding 3,600 spat per bushel in Broad Creek and over 2,100 in the St. Marys River restoration sanctuary. The overall weight of the oyster population is at its highest level in 33 years, five times higher than the population low point in 2002, and mortality rates were the third lowest since 1985, as prevalence of the deadly diseases Dermo and MSX remained near record lows.

  • The 2025 survey results represent the second-highest reproductive success recorded in the 41-year history of the modern census.
  • The overall weight of the oyster population is at its highest level in 33 years—five times higher than the population low point in 2002.

The players

Governor Wes Moore

The Governor of Maryland who announced the record-breaking year for oyster reproduction.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

The state agency that conducted the annual fall survey and reported the findings.

Josh Kurtz

The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm

The President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.

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What they’re saying

“Maryland is now seeing the best news for our oysters in decades. Our robust and growing oyster population will help make sure we pass our Bay along to future generations as an heirloom—both as an economic driver for our seafood industry and for the environmental health of our waterways.”

— Governor Wes Moore (nottinghammd.com)

“In the past year, we learned that the state's oyster populations have tripled in two decades. Now we're finding that oysters are reproducing at levels we haven't seen in nearly 30 years. For an important species that's struggled for many decades, these are great signs of recovery.”

— Josh Kurtz, Secretary, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (nottinghammd.com)

“The continued strong reproduction and low mortality rates are great news. This continues the trend seen over the last 20 years and should fuel future increases in the number of oysters.”

— Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm, President, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (nottinghammd.com)

What’s next

To support local watermen, Governor Moore has extended the commercial harvest season by two weeks and requested a federal disaster declaration to provide long-term stability for the fishery.

The takeaway

The record-breaking oyster reproduction in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay is a major environmental and economic victory, signaling a potential turning point for the species after decades of struggle. This resurgence underscores the importance of large-scale restoration efforts and the vital role oysters play in the health of the Bay's ecosystem and seafood industry.