My friend Greg Garrett is working hard to grow oysters and create a healthier bay but he is facing legal challenges in his effort.  State Senate Bill "SB1190" will resolve his legal challenges which will allow him to grow his own oysters, at his own expense, on his own property.  It's amazing to me that he should have to go to such an expense and effort to utilize his own private property to help himself and the Chesapeake Bay.  This is a no-brainer!  You'd think that with the legal challenges Greg is up against that he was trying to do something that would harm the bay, like build an asphalt plant or fertilizer plant or garbage dump next to the bay.  No he wants to grow oysters for Pete's sake... maybe even create an extra job or two along the way... and even increasing the supply of Chesapeake Bay oysters in our local restaurants!  All I can say is Go Greg Go!  I'll write my senator to support SB1190.  I hope you will, too. 

Here's the information that Greg has shared:

 

please pass this on..... so we can help save the Bay by saving the oyster !!

 

This NEW study on oyster reefs says:

1. Asia is ahead of the USA in oyster aquaculture

2. Natural oyster reefs are threatened more than coral reefs or wetlands

3. Harvesting natural/wild oysters should be banned, including a ban in the Chesapeake Bay waters(This is not GG's opinion or agenda)

4. The oyster is in "striking decline" worldwide.... (GG's footnote: this contributes to the water quality's horrific decline)

5. Oyster reefs are threatened more than ANY OTHER shallow water, structured habitat

6. 90-99% of the Chesapeake Bay's oyster reefs have disappeared

7. advances in aquaculture are the only positive action mentioned that has "eased the pressure on oyster reefs" 

8. sustainable seafood, like oyster aquaculture, is needed

9. Every single Chesapeake Bay oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of seawater per day

 

Please come over one day and see my underwater oyster reefs, called oyster cages(l will have to pull one up for you to see)..... you won't believe all the different species of fish, crabs, eels, etc that live in them. WHY WOULD ANYONE WANT TO LIMIT THEM?

 

Why turn back the clock and allow every City and County the "flexibility" to ban aquaculture when they are not chartered to Save the Bay or Save the Oyster.... Leave this with the Commonwealth of Va authorities(the Va Marine Resources Commission or VMRC) where it has been since the inception of seafood industry regulation. They have the best perspective and expertise on what laws, rules and regulations are needed to monitor this vital industry. In my personal situation, l have 7 permits, licenses, leases, or certifications already issued from the Commonwealth of VA for our family oyster farm..... isn't that ENOUGH REGULATION? The last thing the Bay needs is one more layer of government stopping our citizens from growing oysters !!

 

Click here to read the Daily Press article published 2/5/11 and see why we NEED SB 1190 to pass in the Senate of Va

http://www.dailypress.com/news/newport-news/dp-nws-oyster-reefs-20110204,0,1982278.story

 

The study, "Oyster Reefs at Risk and Recommendations for Conservation , Restoration & Management", can be read by clicking here :

http://www.aibs.org/bioscience-press-releases/resources/Beck.pdf

 

Greg Garrett
www.greggarrettrealty.com
Cell: 757-879-1504