Planting cultured disease tolerant oysters onto constructed three dimensional oyster reefs is a key element of the current oyster restoration strategy. Addition, or planting, of disease tolerant oysters essentially jump starts the restoration process by providing a population of oysters that are reproductively mature and capable of spawning during their first year in the habitat. The objective of this monitoring element is to quantify the abundance and demographics of oysters that are planted at restoration sites at the time of planting. Broodstock oysters are typically planted at restoration sites by several organizations including Sarah's Creek Shellfish. Sarah's Creek Shellfish began planting oysters in the Great Wicomico River in 2004 under contract with the USACOE. The number of oysters planted at a site on any given day by Sarah's Creek Shellfish is reported to VIMS immediately after planting. A subsample of oysters planted by Sarah's Creek Shellfish are measured (shell height, mm) by VIMS personnel prior to planting.

Oysters have also been planted at restoration sites by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) since the 1990s. View CBF oyster planting information.