In an effort to preserve oysters, a program in Anne Arundel County is asking Marylanders to help grow baby oysters.
The 2017 "Marylanders Grow Oysters" program kicked off on Thursday, which encourages waterfront property owners to hang cages of baby oysters from their docks. They are also asked to keep the cages free of debris and algae.
7,173 cages will be distributed around 33 rivers and creeks across the state of Maryland. 50 percent of the baby oysters will be in Anne Arundel County waters.
The cages are picked up the next summer, and then taken and delivered to central locations around the state and put on sanctuary reefs.
This program started eight years ago as a way to get the public more involved in the state's long-term oyster restoration plan.
This program is managed by the Oyster Recovery Partnership.
