The oyster shell collection center in Chestertown
The Chester River Association is collecting oyster shells to help restore Maryland’s oyster population. To make collection easier, CRA — with support from the Oyster Recovery Partnership and Washington College — has established an oyster shell collection center in Chestertown.
The center’s bins are located at the north entrance to the Washington College Boathouse, between Wilmer Park and the Armory. Residents and restaurants are encouraged to help fill the bins. Please be respectful of the boathouse and those using it when dropping off your shells.
Periodically, the Oyster Recovery Partnership will haul the collected shells to the Horn Point lab in Cambridge, where they will used as substrate for baby oysters to attach to. These old shells, with new oysters growing on them, will then be distributed across the state to help oyster restoration. Some will end up back in the Chester!
Another collection center is located at Harris’ Crab House, on Kent Island, at 433 Kent Narrows Way North, just off Route 50.
Visit our website for more information: https://www.chesterriverassociation.org/programs/marylanders-grow-oysters/recycle-your-shells
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