Virginia Coastal Program: 1997 Coastal Grant Project Description and Final Summary
Project Task:
FY1997 Task 19.01
Grantee:
Virginia Marine Resources Commission
Project Title:
Magothy Bay Restoration Project - Seagrass and Oyster Habitat Restoration Year 2
Project Description as Proposed:
A project to restore oyster reefs and seagrass beds in Magothy Bay was initiated in 1997 and this will be the second year of multiyear effort. This is a holistic approach to use habitat restoration techniques as methods for improving water quality and increasing the abundance of commercially and recreationally important species of shellfish and finfish. We believe that low levels and complete disappearance of most commercially important species on the Seaside of Eastern Shore has resulted from habitat degradation and deterioration that has occurred by both natural and anthropogenic events. Only significant habitat restoration will result in the possibility of restoring population levels of commercially important species to levels that might once again support sustainable harvest.
Federal Funding:
$114,181
Project Contact:
Jim Wesson, 757.247.2121
Project Status:
Grant Closed
Final Product Received:
A stapled, 13-page, black-and-white report (Magothy Bay Restoration Project - Year II) with black and white maps and graphs and some printouts of color photos in the back of the report.
Project Summary Provided by Grantee:
Sea grasses were lost from the coastal bays of Virginia in the early 1930's. A very significant commercial fishery for bay scallops was lost immediately with the loss of the grasses. Since that time there has been a slow but continuous decline in almost all the commercial wild fisheries on Seaside. In the coastal bays, sea grasses, in conjunction with large intertidal oyster reefs, were the dominant ecological features in the area and all commercial fisheries depended heavily on their presence. This project is the second year of a large effort to restore sea grasses in association with oyster reef restoration, and to examine the interaction of these two habitat types as restoration is attempted. Oyster reefs were built from harvested fossil shells in South and Kegotank Bays. More than 74,000 bushels of fossil shells were harvested and deployed into reefs in May through August 1999. Eelgrass was planted in association with oyster reefs in Magothy, South, and Kegotank Bays in the fall of 1998. Plant survival was the best in South Bay, and further plantings were made by whole plants and sees in the fall of 1999. Water quality appeared adequate for eelgrass during Year II; similar to Year I. In the fall of 19999, spatset was better on Year I reefs that were constructed in Magothy Bay. Spatset was again very good in South Bay and Kegotank Bay. Eelgrass and oyster survival will be monitored for all of year 2000. We expect to have a better understanding of both successes and failures by the summer of 2000. Eelgrass planting and oyster reef restoration will continue in 2000 based on these results.
Form C end
Disclaimer: This project summary provides the federal dollars initially awarded to the grantee. Due to underexpenditure or reprogramming of grant funds, this figure may change. For more information on the allocation of coastal grant funds, please contact Laura McKay, Virginia Coastal Program Manager, at 804.698.4323 or email: Laura.McKay@deq.virginia.gov
A more detailed Scope of Work for this project is available. Please direct your request for a copy to Virginia.Witmer@deq.virginia.gov
