Maryland seeks federal disaster declaration as Chesapeake oyster harvest, prices plunge

Maryland Governor Wes Moore has asked federal officials to evaluate the Chesapeake Bay oyster industry for a fishery-resource disaster after harvest and dockside prices collapsed, leaving Eastern Shore watermen largely tied to the docks. Moore sent a letter requesting a disaster declaration to U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick as state harvests for the October through January period totaled 188,673 bushels and dockside value dropped to $6.69 million from a five-year average of $19.92 million.

The decline represents a 44% drop in bushels compared with the five-year average for the same Oct–Jan timeframe and a fall in dockside receipts that is roughly a two-thirds reduction from $19.92 million to $6.69 million. Eastern Shore lawmakers and watermen pressed the state for emergency action before the governor’s request, and the state extended the oyster season by two weeks, through April 14, to allow additional harvest opportunities.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz said the state met with NOAA’s fisheries disaster team on Feb. 4 and is compiling harvest ticket data to meet federal review standards. “When we do a disaster declaration, there are several thresholds we have to meet,” Kurtz said. He added, “NOAA guidance has pushed the state toward a bushel-based calculation rather than market value and that DNR staff have been compiling buy-ticket data to determine whether Maryland can meet the threshold for federal review.” Kurtz noted timing challenges: “There’s a 35% threshold you have to get over for them to consider it.” He warned that ticket returns will not be complete immediately, saying, “I do think the issue we’re gonna have with a disaster declaration is that we won’t have all of the ticket returns until a couple months, a couple weeks from now.”

The political pressure for federal relief has been bipartisan and urgent. U.S. Representative Andy Harris urged NOAA Fisheries to declare a fishery disaster, citing severe cold and ice, shrinking market access and increased competition that “left many crews effectively tied to the dock, with watermen able to fish for just one or two days all season.” Del. Jay Jacobs of the Upper Shore described the season as “the toughest oyster season I’ve seen in my entire life” and added, “These guys are hurting really bad, the oystermen are. And they need relief immediately, not two or three months from now.”

State officials are weighing whether to pursue a NOAA fishery-disaster review, FEMA Stafford Act relief, or both while legal and procedural questions remain. Sen. Johnny Mautz IV asked whether pursuing FEMA relief would preclude fishery-disaster funding; DNR said the state is checking those options as it compiles buy-ticket data. DNR has also signaled that oyster populations remained healthy despite access issues, indicating the current crisis centers on lost harvest and market disruptions rather than a die-off.

With a 35% federal threshold to clear, incomplete ticket returns and competing pathways for relief, the timing of any federal aid is uncertain. The decisions by the Department of Commerce, NOAA Fisheries and potentially FEMA will determine whether Eastern Shore crews receive immediate financial help after a season that has already cut harvests and dockside revenues dramatically.