TROOP 1785

Boy Scout Troop 1785, located at the Magothy United Methodist Church in Pasadena, is cooperating with Circle C Oyster Ranchers, to deliver and install 40 oyster floats at waterfront homes in the Anne Arundel County area.  

The State of Maryland encourages waterfront home owners to grow oysters by offering a state tax credit of up to $500.00 for individuals and up to $1000.00 for couples (that are currently working and/or paying taxes). Basically – you get refunded your money on taxes.  You can find additional information about the tax benefit at: http://individuals.marylandtaxes.com/incometax/gtpitc/acqaculture.asp

The floats or “reefs” are made of white PVC frames approx 3’ X 6’.  Each frame suspends 3 mesh pouches of juvenile oysters near the surface.  Each float will have approx 180 young oysters. The oysters filter sediment and algae from the water.  Each adult oyster filters 50 gallons of water a day.  A float full of adults filters about 4500 gallons per day.  This serves to make the water cleaner thus more clear and the bottom harder.  The oysters are far more efficient when held near the surface of the water.

The oysters need to be in at least 2 feet of water.  In the winter, they can freeze, but they must be at least under the surface of the water.  They grow best where you see blue crabs and barnacles thriving.  In warm months the floats need to be cleaned as often as every 2 weeks.  Algae and barnacles will attach to the floats and the cleaner they are kept, the more efficient they function.  The floats are typically installed under or along side of your pier.  

All profits from this fundraiser benefit Boy Scout Troop 1785. Our troop is a very outdoor focused troop that helps the boys grow into self-reliant and leadership oriented men.  We have many new scouts in the troop this year and proceeds will directly support our High Adventure Trip in the summer of 2011. 

We will delivery and install the floats for a cost of $250.00 per float.  Upon delivery you will be given full care information and a receipt to keep for tax purposes.

Our target delivery is early June.  

You can order via the webform below or contact our Fundraising Chairman, William Hild, directly at 410-255-5818 or hildsmarine@comcast.net.