When I was young you could not set a straight course in a boat across Rehoboth Bay without spotting stakes marking oyster beds. We have an antique oyster can which is one of many that was filled with Rehoboth Bay oysters.
There was a shucking house on the canal. Now the only oyster in that vicinity is on a street sign.
At one time Rehoboth Bay and Indian River Bay oysters were on par with Chincoteague oysters. However along the way, Chincoteague and the state of Virginia did something right and its oysters became a national and sought after brand. Local oysters here were depleted.
The people who are now “enjoying” local waters feel as though what’s in the bays is free for their taking. They are not restocking or replenishing. In aquaculture such as oyster farming the farmers add to the bay, not take the bounty away.
People who are concerned about saving and adding to our natural resources should back and encourage representatives Peter Schwartzkopf and Ruth Briggs King to allow oyster aquaculture to try to make a go of it. And by doing so they will be bringing back a bit of local history.
Note: The letter writer is the father of Robert Robinson mentioned in the article. Also it should be noted that the young Robinson who is working with the local representatives, was defeated by Ruth Briggs King for the House of Representative seat.
Robert Robinson Sr.
Georgetown
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