chesapeake bay oysters on the rebound?

a recent article in the new york times revealed that oysters in the chesapeake bay are coming back! the virginia institute of marine science in partnership with the army corp of engineers created large experimental reefs at the mouth of the great wicomico river five years ago. today, these areas are home to more than 180 million native oysters! i am surprised these beds are doing so well, considering how polluted that river is, but this is great. a few weekends ago we drove the pro-line down there to get some crabs at cockrell's creek and saw all of markers designating these new beds: kind of difficult navigating the entrance to the river from the bay. worth it!