Reds - There is evidence that the oysters are becoming immune to the diseases that almost wiped them out.
Key - IMHO - is to allow these oysters to breed. Taking the survivors makes little sense in the long run.
There are reports of very good spat this year - that could jump start the recovery of oysters.
I sometimes fish out of Wachapreaque and see oyster bars that break the surface.
Years ago - way back - oyster bars in the bay were considered a navigation hazard. They broke surface on low tide - in 12 feet of water.
It makes no sense to me to continue to harvest something at 2% of former population. Guess if the bay were to get cleaned up - some would be out great paying jobs
.