The Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Gloucester Point, and Oyster Seed Holdings, a Gwynn’s Island hatchery, were among recipients of grants designed to increase oyster restoration in the Chesapeake Bay.

The Chesapeake Bay Trust, in partnership with the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance, announced the approval of a total of 13 grants in Maryland and Virginia for the Chesapeake Oyster Innovation Awards, a program supported by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.

This partnership is awarding $127,185 while leveraging an additional $90,000 in matching funds, for a total of $217,185 towards accelerating oyster restoration efforts.

VIMS and Oyster Seed Holdings will each receive $10,000 in Chesapeake Oyster Innovation Award funding. The VIMS money will go toward a project that aims to improve oyster farmers’ inventory management techniques through the integration of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. This pilot study will take place at Cappahosic Oyster Company in Gloucester...