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Eastern Shore watermen describe market collapse; state compiles data for NOAA disaster request
Summary
Watermen told the Eastern Shore delegation markets and a major Potomac sewage spill have crippled demand for oysters; DNR issued two-week emergency season extensions and said it is compiling buy-ticket data toward a NOAA fisheries disaster declaration. State marketing efforts will be stepped up.
Watermen and state officials told the Eastern Shore delegation on Feb. 20 that Maryland's oyster industry has suffered a sharp market collapse this season and that state agencies are pursuing a multi-pronged response including emergency season extensions, data collection for a possible NOAA disaster declaration and stepped-up marketing.
An on-the-water speaker described the market downturn and the effect of a large sewage spill, saying: "It's made a unnational, burden on the people," and urged environmental and public-health agencies to confirm shellfish safety for buyers.
Jeff Harrison, representing county-level oyster…
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