Maryland's Oyster Advisory Commission (OAC) recently submitted its 2007 Interim Report Concerning Maryland's Chesapeake Bay Oyster Management Program to Governor Martin O'Malley, the Members of the Maryland General Assembly, and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John R. Griffin.

In September Secretary John R. Griffin appointed 21 scientists, watermen, anglers, businessmen, economists, environmental advocates, and elected officials to serve on the Commission, which is charged with advising the state on matters relating to oysters and strategies for rebuilding and managing the oyster population in Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake Bay.

The OAC will also utilize the latest findings of an Environmental Impact Statement currently being drafted with other state and federal government partners to evaluate oyster restoration options for the Chesapeake Bay.