AQUA-CULTURE INNOVATION IN DORCHESTER COUNTY – New Dorchester County aquaculture company begin operations. Hoopers Island waterman changes course, dives into oyster aquaculture

HOOPERS ISLAND
While watermen from across the Chesapeake Bay region were busy last year fighting one provision of Gov. Martin O’Malley’s oyster restoration plan its expansion of oyster sanctuaries one local waterman was preparing to take advantage of the other key component its increase of aquaculture leasing opportunities.

After spending most of his life as a commercial waterman, harvesting whatever was good that year, Hoopers Island native Johnny Shockley is one of the first Maryland watermen to make the switch to aquaculture, forming Hoopers Island Oyster Aquaculture Company last year with business partner Ricky Fitzhugh.

read more……