Waterman's Association of Charles County

10/03/2021

Today the Association volunteered to shuck fresh Wicomico River oysters at the Chamber of Commerce’s Bounty of the County Event where all the food was locally sourced. It was great to see everyone and to spread the joy of oyster season!

07/20/2021

This week on Your Charles County, Charles County Waterman's Association President Bill Kilinski shares about the lives of your local watermen. Also, hear abo...

05/26/2021

Charles County is surrounded by water—the Potomac, Patuxent, and Wicomico Rivers and all the tributaries that come off the Potomac—with a living ecosystem that local residents and watermen depend on. With April 1 being the official start of crab season, we contacted the President of the Waterman...

03/16/2021

Fox5 Crab segment by one of our Charles County Watermen (Billy Rice)

FOX 5 is highlighting day trips you can take around the DMV this week and a great way to have fun with family and friends and support local business is to visit the Maryland Crab and Oyster Trail.

03/16/2021

Fox5 Oyster segment by our President of Charles County Watermen’s Association (Bill Kilinski)

FOX 5’s Kevin McCarthy visited Newburg to learn more about the Maryland Crab & Oyster Trail!

05/14/2020

These are pictures of a not so healthy Oyster Bar in the Wicomico River. However, Charles County watermen are attempting to make our Oyster Bars healthy again like they were many decades ago. Finally, after many attempts Maryland DNR has granted Charles County Watermen a special Oyster Bar cleaning permit just for the Wicomico River. As you can see from the pictures historic sediment, sand and silt from decades of erosion and historic fresh water flows have taken over our Oyster Bars. Oyster Dredges are being drags to turn over the shell and make these areas clean again for oysters to grow on.
The video illustrates the last survey of the day, total catch had to be counted along with total amount of Oysters during a 30 second tow. This data will be sent to MD DNR Shell Fish Division to be reviewed and to assist us in the management of our of Oyster grounds.
The Charles County Watermen are planning to plant 50 million baby Oysters Bars in the Wicomico this year.

05/14/2020

These are pictures of a not so healthy Oyster Bar in the Wicomico River. However, Charles County watermen are attempting to make our Oyster Bars healthy again like they were many decades ago. Finally, after many attempts Maryland DNR has granted Charles County Watermen a special Oyster Bar cleaning permit just for the Wicomico River. As you can see from the pictures historic sediment, sand and silt from decades of erosion and historic fresh water flows have taken over our Oyster Bars. Oyster Dredges are being dragged to turn over the shell and make these areas clean again for oysters to grow on.
The video illustrates the last survey of the day, total catch had to be counted along with total amount of Oysters during a 30 second tow. This data will be sent to MD DNR Shell Fish Division to be reviewed and to assist us in the management of our of Oyster grounds.
The Charles County Watermen are planning to plant 50 million baby Oysters Bars in the Wicomico this year.

04/24/2020

Charles County Watermen planting oysters in the Wicomico River today (April 24, 2020)

04/01/2020

COVID-19 Unemployment Insurance Information

02/21/2020

Attention ALL Commercial License Holders:

In Annapolis on Tuesday, February 25th the Senate will be voting to permanently and forever take away ALL oyster licenses that have not paid their surcharge in the past two years. With a PAST date of December 31, 2019 so no way to rectify the situation today. This will affect over TWO Thousand of our watermen. They will never be able to oyster again, even if it was due to an injury or illness. Maybe their boat was damaged. Maybe they couldn’t oyster but planned to return to the industry. They never be able to pass down to their child or a future generation.

We need each and every one of you to help us in the fight against this bill. This should only take a few minutes of your time. If you are willing to help (and hold a commercial license) comment below & I will email you information.

We are hoping that many of you can find time to head over to Annapolis on Tuesday February 25th. Hearing is at 1:00pm. Please bring wives, friends, anyone who wants to help us defeat this Bill. Parking is in the Naval Academy lot with a shuttle taking you right to the front door of the Senate House.

02/21/2020

Captain Rob Newberry of Delmarva Association, speaks on Senate Bill 948

04/23/2019

The health of the Chesapeake Bay is in jeopardy as we continue to see more extreme weather events. News4's Wendy Rieger explains how a record rainfall killed much of the bay's oysters and the negative impact climate change has on the area's economy.