__NOTOC__ The Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that leads conservation efforts of the native Eastern oyster, ''

Crassostrea virginica The eastern oyster (''Crassostrea virginica'')—also called the Atlantic oyster, American oyster, or East Coast oyster—is a species of true oyster native to eastern North and South America. Other names in local or culinary use include the Wel ...

'', in the

Chesapeake Bay The Chesapeake Bay ( ) is the largest estuary in the United States. The bay is located in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic region and is primarily separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Delmarva Peninsula, including parts of the Ea ...

and Eastern United States. The organization's activities and programs include oyster restoration, shell recycling conservation, and sustainable fishery initiatives.

History

The organization was established in 1972 and originally known as Chesapeake Appreciation, Inc. The organization name and brand were formally changed to the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP) in 1994. ORP is headquartered in

Annapolis, Maryland Annapolis ( ) is the capital of the U.S. state of Maryland. It is the county seat of Anne Arundel County and its only incorporated city. Situated on the Chesapeake Bay at the mouth of the Severn River, south of Baltimore and about east ...

. The organization has received support from the

United States Environmental Protection Agency The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent agency of the United States government tasked with environmental protection matters. President Richard Nixon proposed the establishment of EPA on July 9, 1970; it began operation on De ...

, State of Maryland, and Baltimore County.

Programs

ORP plants the native oyster, ''Crassostrea virginica'', back into the Chesapeake Bay. In 2022, the organization helped to plant over 950,000,000 oysters. The organization also works to provide educational opportunities to shellfish farmers on best practices for managing their oyster farms and leases. In addition, the organization works with scientists and researches to study better ways to grow oysters, restore oyster reefs, and advance oyster restoration. ORP also actively works with lawmakers and regulatory agencies to advance policy initiatives that support oyster restoration. The organization created and runs the Shell Recycling Alliance (SRA), an initiative with restaurants, caterers, and seafood wholesales to save used natural oyster shell, regarded as the best material on which to raise new oysters, from ending up in landfills.

Leadership

The organization is led by a nineteen-member Board of Directors. Notable members of the board include businessman

Jim Perdue Jim Perdue is an American businessman. He has been the chairman and advertising spokesperson of Perdue Farms since 1991. He is a third generation leader of the company founded by his grandfather in 1920. Like his father, Frank, Jim Perdue grew up ...

and James King, former member of the

Maryland House of Delegates The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the Maryland General Assembly, legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland. It consists of 141 delegates elected from 47 districts. The House of Delegates Chamber is in the Maryland State House ...

References

External links

*{{official, https://oysterrecovery.org/ Fishing and the environment Sustainable food system Environmental organizations based in Maryland Organizations established in 1972 Seafood organizations Organizations based in Maryland

History

Programs

Leadership

See also

References

External links