Oyster populations have seen steady gains inside of state-designated sanctuaries over the past decade, while similar progress in areas open to harvesting has recently reversed, according to a long-awaited report released Sunday night.
With the caveat that it's too early to tell whether oyster restoration efforts are working, state Department of Natural Resources officials nevertheless told a state panel scheduled to meet Monday night it could consider adjusting sanctuary boundaries and reopening some areas to harvest.
That could mean significant changes ahead for a Chesapeake oyster restoration strategy launched in 2010.
