In the 1870s, Virginia imposed license fees, seasonal limits, and other measures to prevent over harvesting and preserve the oyster population.

Their mission is to restore the Bay to balance in environmental programs such as planting trees and other greenery, along with restoring oyster populations.

The foundation has worked toward a tenfold increase in the oyster population by 2005, using volunteers and the reef approach that is gathering momentum.

However, overfishing, disease and pollution had all but wiped out the oyster population by 1920.

Intertidal areas with native oyster populations or evidence of past populations are strong candidates for re-introduction.

Fishermen and politicians from Maine to Louisiana, where oyster populations are healthier, have erupted.

Chesapeake Bay once had a flourishing oyster population which has been almost wiped out by overfishing.

When the English began settling the area, there is evidence they had a localized impact of the oyster population.

Overharvesting would eventually deplete the remaining oyster population in the bay to just 1% of its historical amount, where it stands today.

Mortalities can reach 90% to 95% of the oyster population within 2 to 3 years of being seeded.