Va. oyster harvest up sharply

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (AP) - Virginia's oyster harvest has grown tenfold in the past decade to 236,000 bushels in 2011.

During that same period, the dockside valued of the oyster harvest has increased to $8.26 million, up from $575,000 in 2001.

Gov. Bob McDonnell's office released the oyster numbers on Tuesday, crediting the Virginia Marine Resource Commission for the turnaround. The commission supports oyster sanctuaries and targeted shell plantings on public oyster grounds.

Commissioner Steven G. Bowman called this year's harvest the best in a quarter century.

"The strides made have been remarkable, and indications are this year's harvest may be the best we've seen in 25 years," said Bowman. "It can get even better if we stay the course and continue to spend the funds necessary to maintain our current level of productivity."

While improving, the harvest of the Chesapeake Bay oyster is still puny compared to historic levels. In the 1960s, annual harvests of more than 1 million bushels were not uncommon. Two diseases have devastated the bay's oysters stocks over the years.