The Sussex Conservation District board of supervisors recently voted to approve funding totaling $67,500 for the oyster aquaculture cost-share program. The initiative will provide an incentive payment for up to 1.35 million harvested oysters that support nutrient reductions in the Inland Bays watershed.
A single oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day. With almost 300 acres available to lease in the watershed, this program has the potential to remove more than 70,000 pounds of nitrogen from the bays. These nutrient reductions help Delaware meet its water-quality goals.
“Our goal for this program is to improve water quality by increasing oyster aquaculture farming in the Inland Bays,” said David Baird, district coordinator at SCD. “We recognize that our region is unique – farmers are not limited to growing crops in the soil, but also our waterways.”
Applications for the oyster aquaculture cost-share program are accepted year-round. Cost-share payments will be made quarterly, at $0.05 per harvested oyster, with a maximum annual payment for 150,000 oysters totaling $7,500 per grower.
For more information about the oyster aquaculture cost-share program, call 302-856-3990, Ext. 3, or visit sussexconservation.org.