watermen and all of their problems over the years, butut they don't knowow so much about the ecologigical valuee of the oyster. it's a great filter of the bay, it's responsnsible in some ways for the health of the bay, and one of the most interesting things,s, to me, was that an oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day. and what it actually means is that the oysters eat algae, anand wheyou getoo much aae it t smothers the oysters, it keeps out the sunlight, you can't do photosynthesis, and if we can support the ecological value of the oyster as much as the consumer value, we're doing a great service to the bay. [crickets chirping] >> it's the first day of oyster season in maryland. and the tongers are out in full force in broad creek, a tributary of the eastern shore's largest river, the mighty choptank. >> hand tonging is a traditional method of harvest. it takes somebody who is tough and has a great love of the water to do it. they enjoy being who they are, what they are, where they are, and doing what they're doing. it's a prpretty good way to sped your life. >> you get up early, you get t