Maryland Delegation Members Urge Trump Administration to Declare Oyster Fishery Disaster, Deliver Assistance

Today, the Maryland Congressional Delegation - U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and U.S. Representatives Andy Harris, Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Sarah Elfreth, Johnny Olsewski, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, and April McClain Delaney - expressed support for the State of Maryland's request for an evaluation of the Maryland oyster fishery for eligibility for a fishery resource disaster designation, and urged U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to exercise his authority to approve fishery disaster assistance for the Maryland oyster fishery. In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the adverse weather and market conditions that watermen have faced this year, resulting in a steep decline in the oyster harvest coupled with a significant drop in oyster prices - threatening their livelihoods.

"We write to you as the Maryland Congressional Delegation to urge your favorable consideration of the request from Maryland Governor Wes Moore to conduct an evaluation of the Maryland oyster fishery for eligibility for fishery resource disaster assistance as authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended by the Fishery Resource Disasters Improvement Act," Team Maryland began. "Given recent challenges facing the industry - including icy conditions due to the unseasonably cold winter season, recent fishery closures resulting from the Potomac River sewage spill, and overall challenging market conditions - we urge you to declare a fishery disaster and approve fishery resource disaster assistance for the Maryland oyster fishery as soon as possible."

Underscoring the harmful consequences of these difficult conditions, the lawmakers wrote, "as compared with a five-year average of commercial landings, data from January of 2026 shows a concerning 44% decline in oyster harvest with continued depressed levels of harvest expected this year, while the dockside value of a bushel of oysters has dropped by 66%."

Regarding the important role of the oyster industry in Maryland's economy and culture, they continued, "the Maryland oyster fishery is of economic importance to the state, with millions of dollars of commercial landings every year that bolster the Maryland food service and tourism economies, while providing critical income for Maryland watermen. Maryland oysters are also a cornerstone of the rich Chesapeake Bay heritage and are a source of pride for the state, underscoring the importance of the continued operation of the commercial oyster fishery."

Text of the letter can be viewed here and below.

Dear Secretary Lutnick,

We write to you as the Maryland Congressional Delegation to urge your favorable consideration of the request from Maryland Governor Wes Moore to conduct an evaluation of the Maryland oyster fishery for eligibility for fishery resource disaster assistance as authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended by the Fishery Resource Disasters Improvement Act. Given recent challenges facing the industry - including icy conditions due to the unseasonably cold winter season, recent fishery closures resulting from the Potomac River sewage spill, and overall challenging market conditions - we urge you to declare a fishery disaster and approve fishery resource disaster assistance for the Maryland oyster fishery as soon as possible.

As Congressman Harris pointed out in his letter to NOAA dated February 4, 2026 (attached), Maryland's commercial oyster fishery is experiencing an economic crisis. Recent commercial landings point to a significant reduction in oyster harvest in the state, while at the same time prices for oysters are dropping. As compared with a five-year average of commercial landings, data from January 2026 shows a concerning 44% decline in oyster harvest with continued depressed levels of harvest expected this year, while the dockside value of a bushel of oysters has dropped by 66%.

The Maryland oyster fishery is of economic importance to the state, with millions of dollars of commercial landings every year that bolster the Maryland food service and tourism economies, while providing critical income for Maryland watermen. Maryland oysters are also a cornerstone of the rich Chesapeake Bay heritage and are a source of pride for the state, underscoring the importance of the continued operation of the commercial oyster fishery.

Thank you for your urgent attention to this important manner. We stand ready to work with you to support oyster fishery disaster assistance for the Maryland watermen.

Sincerely,