Oysters that call the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland home this past fall achieved the top survival rate in 26 years, state Governor Martin O'Malley said in a press release.
The 2011 Fall Oyster Survey revealed the sea creature had a survival rate of 92 percent, which indicates how many of them were found alive in a sample.
"Although our fight to restore a thriving oyster population to the Chesapeake Bay is far from over, our continued commitment to renewing this iconic species has begun to pay off," the governor said. "Through balanced investments in aquaculture, sanctuaries, stewardship and enforcement, our native oyster is coming back. Together, we can continue to create jobs and support our local economies while returning our native oyster to healthy, sustainable levels."
The state of Maryland, via the Natural Resources Department and agencies that preceded the DNR, has been keeping a close eye on the oyster population since 1939, representing one of the globe's longest-standing programs to monitor this marine life.
Levels of reproduction, disease and mortality rates of the oysters are monitored by the survey, which indicates future populations.
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