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Summer storms kill off Chesapeake Bay oysters

Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee brought silt to the upper Chesapeake Bay near Gibson Island, Md., killing off most of the oysters that once flourished there.

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Nov. 8, 2011

Oysterman and Capt. Barry Sweitzer goes out on his last oyster dredge on the upper Chesapeake Bay near Gibson Island, Md. Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee brought rushing waters to the area, pushing silt into the upper bay. Apparently it was too much for oysters, which have all but died off. Sweitzer has laid off his crew and is selling his 1905 skipjack that's been in his family for decades, as it will take nearly that long to bring oysters back to the area.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

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