MAG25004_241002_0461
At the Horn Point Oyster Hatchery in Cambridge, Md., oysters are spawned in water-filled tanks as part of a large-scale aquaculture effort on Oct. 2, 2024. Larvae are nurtured into spat on shell, which will eventually be placed into the Chesapeake Bay and supplied to oyster farms. The hatchery is one of the largest on the East Coast and plays a vital role in supporting the bayâs ecosystem by enhancing oyster populations. Oysters act as natural filters, improving water quality, and their restoration contributes both to environmental health and to sustaining the regionâs oyster industry, providing a steady supply of this valuable seafood.