In the Chesapeake Bay the nursery process takes four to eight weeks. During this time the spat will go from an almost invisible size of under 1 mm to over 15 mm. At this point they are ready to withstand the rigors of movement and are large enough to survive being planted on the bottom for growout. To date over 100 acres of oyster beds have been planted using oysters produced from the Horn Point hatchery. Growth and survival of these spat has exceeded expectations and many have reached market size.
Plans are to greatly expand efforts using hatcheries as tools for oyster rehabilitation in Maryland.
The addition of a 2,400 ft 2 greenhouse to the hatchery in 1998 has greatly expanded the capacity of the Horn Point facility. This new greenhouse along with a greatly improved setting and cultch handling system is capable of producing over 4 million spat on shell per week during the peak setting season. With this expanded facility came the need for greater manpower, more funding and a host of other logistical problems. These have been solved by establishing a cooperative program that incorporates support from a host of other groups and individuals.