Asian oysters may put natives at risk

BALTIMORE, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- A federal report suggests seeding Chesapeake Bay with Asian oysters could harm the bay's native oyster population, The Baltimore Sun reported.

The newspaper obtained a copy of the Army Corps of Engineers report, which is not due to be released until next week.

The $17 million study said introducing sterile and reproducing Asian oysters will work best if done in conjunction with increased efforts to restore native oysters. While Asian oysters have proved to be resistant to two parasitic diseases killing native bay oysters, it appears the Asian oysters are more vulnerable to predators and water quality, the newspaper said.

There is concern the imported oysters may compete with native oysters for food and habitat, the report said.