One of the most innovative approaches that has been developed during this process is the concept of managed reserves. Managed reserves combine the benefits of having large concentrations of big oysters providing habitat for other organisms, filtering water, and spawning while at the same time making available oysters for market. In order to balance the ecological benefits with the economic benefits, managed reserves are designed to minimize the effects of the oyster parasite Dermo on newly planted oyster spat by removing infected older oysters from the site prior to the deployment of spat. Watermen are involved in cleaning the bar of these adult oysters and those oysters are either brought back to the hatchery for use as broodstock or are moved to an alternate location downstream where they can subsequently be harvested.

Moving diseased oysters away from the site prior to deployment of spat helps delay infection by parasites and the parasite free spat enjoy greater growth and survival. Oyster are monitored during the grow-out phase and if parasite levels become threatening they may be harvested. If parasite loads remain below acceptable limits, the oysters are allowed to grow until the mean size of oysters on a site is over 4 inches in shell height. This is an inch larger than the current size limit for oyster harvest in the Bay. Generally, it takes another year (more under poor growing conditions) for oysters to reach this larger size. This additional year is important as larger oysters filter more, spawn more, and provide more substrate and habitat than smaller oysters. Even though most of the areas where this approach is employed are in lower salinity regions where spawning occurs but recruitment is usually not very high, the other benefits are significant.

Maryland commercial watermen are working side by side with the partners to make this new approach a success. The concept of managing oysters on a bar by bar basis rather than a State-wide basis is one that may become more important to successful restoration until a solution to oyster disease is reached.