Abell and CPT/FAF Grant Funded Activities, 2004-5

Updated Summary of MES Reef BallÔ Activities, 2004-5

March 2005

Magothy River Association (MRA) Reef Ball Project: On Oct. 12 and 13, 2004, 110 Reef BallsÔ were deployed at two oyster sanctuaries; Rock Point and Dobbins Island, in the Magothy River, Ann Arundel County, Md. Deployment was by Ocean Outfitters of Maryland. This was a joint project with MES and MRA with grant support. MRA also had support from and coordinated with DNR. The staging area was at Cypress Marina, whose owner provided in-kind services for unloading, loading and storage of the Reef BallsÔ prior to deployment. MES also organized and funded two local pours of Reef BallsÔ with volunteers from the MRA. The Abell Foundation partially funded this project.

Hollicutts Noose Reef Site: The Constellation Energy grant partially funded placement of 32 Reef BallsÔ at the Hollicutts Noose artificial reef site in Eastern Bay, Queen Anne’s County, Md. on October 14, 2004. This placement was done in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). CBF staff and volunteers help produce the Reef BallsÔ and the CBF vessel Patricia Campbell and crew assisted in the deployment of the Reef BallsÔ.

Cedar Point and Little Cove Point Reef Ball Project: On Nov. 3 and 4, 2004, a total of 160 Reef BallsÔ of various sizes were deployed at two artificial reef sites in Calvert County, Md. At the Cedar Point reef site, 78 Reef BallsÔ were placed at two locations. At the Little Cove Point reef site, 82 Reef BallsÔ were placed at three locations. Deployment was by Doug West with the Robert Lee. This project was done in cooperation with the Solomons Charter Boat Captains Assoc., (SCBCA) which contributed $4,800 towards the project, and the local chapter of the MSSA, which contributed 2 Lo Pro Reef BallsÔ. The staging area was at Calvert Marina, whose owner provided in-kind services for unloading, loading and storage of the Reef BallsÔ prior to deployment. Costs were covered through the Constellation Energy, Abell Foundation and Chesapeake Bay Trust/Fish America Foundation (CBT/FAF) grants and MES project development funds.

Tilghman Island Reef Ball Project: Placement of 15 Reef BallsÔ occurred on Nov. 12, 2004. These were Reef BallsÔ that had been produced at the first production pour in April 2004. The Robert Lee placed the Reef BallsÔ at the Tilghman Island artificial reef site off Tilghman Island, Talbot County, Md. Costs were covered by the Constellation Energy and CBT/FAF grants and MES project development funds. The project was done in cooperation with local sport fishermen and charter captains.

Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center (CBEC) Reef Ball Project: Reef BallsÔ were both procured and produced for CBEC for a restoration and fish habitat project in Prospect Bay, Queen Anne’s County, Md. CBEC obtained a CBT/FAF grant for the work and contracted MES for the procurement and production of the Reef BallsÔ, as well as deployment. Local production of 32 Reef Balls by MES, CBEC staff and volunteers occurred August 23 and 24, 2004 and was partially funded by the Abell Foundation. The Oyster Recovery partnership (ORP) was contracted by MES for deployment and transportation of the Reef BallsÔ at CBEC to the staging area. ORP subcontracted CBF for the deployment of the Reef BallsÔ in Prospect Bay. Deployment occurred March 17 and 18 with the CBF vessel Patricia Campbell. Labor costs were partially covered by the Abell Foundation grant and MES project development funds.

University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies (UMCES) Reef Ball Project: The Sandy Point Integrated Ecosystem Restoration (SPIER) Initiative by UMCES is a restoration and habitat project planned for the late spring/early summer. The project is located at the tip of Sandy Point on Solomons Island, Calvert County, Md. in the shallow water adjacent to the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory (CBL). MES agreed to fund, through the CBT/FAF and Abell grants, the procurement and transportation of 100 Reef BallsÔ as part of the SPIER initiative. Deployment is expected to take place in the late spring, early summer, 2005.

In summary, a total of 549 Reef BallsÔ of various sizes were procured/produced by MES for placement at various reef sites in the Chesapeake Bay. Of the 549 Reef BallsÔ, 449 were deployed to 7 reef sites. An additional 100 Reef BallsÔ of various sizes have been procured and will be deployed in the near future.