SHELLSHOCKED, a film by Emily Driscoll, follows efforts to prevent the extinction of wild oysters, a keystone species that keeps our oceans healthy by filtering water and engineering ecosystems. Today, because of over-fishing and pollution, wild oyster reefs have been declared the most severely impacted marine habitat on Earth and are functionally extinct. Now scientists, government officials, artists and environmentalists are fighting to bring oysters back.
While the film is based in New York, the lessons and issues are directly applicable to Maryland’s harbors and estuaries. Chris Judy, DNR’s Manager of the Marylanders Grow Oysters Program, will comment and provide an update of the MGO Program.
The Annapolis Maritime Museum, located in the historic McNasby Oyster Company Building, is dedicated to preserving and commemorating the maritime heritage of Annapolis and the neighboring waters of the Chesapeake Bay.
The Severn River Association Presents the Maryland Premiere of SHELLSHOCKED: Saving Oysters to Save Ourselves at the Annapolis Maritime Museum on Tuesday July 17, 2012 at 7:00pm.