Md. hires watermen for oyster restoration

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – The state of Maryland has found work for 604 watermen who've been struggling to make ends meet since the decline of the blue crab industry.

About 520 watermen will be put to work restoring oyster reefs in the Chesapeake Bay. The Department of Natural Resources says another 84 will be given land-based assignments, including trail restoration and aquaculture construction.

Gov. O'Malley said in a statement the state is keeping Maryland's watermen working while giving the blue crab population time to rebuild.

The watermen are being hired through the state and the nonprofit Oyster Recovery Partnership with $3 million in state capital funding. Federal disaster funding will also support the program.

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Information from: The Baltimore Examiner, http://www.baltimoreexaminer.com/