As we've written before, menhaden might not be a common feature on dinner plates, but there's a reason they're often called "the most important fish in the sea." A small, oily fish packed with nutritional value, menhaden are a critical link in the marine food web. Valuable fish like rockfish rely heavily on menhaden as do whales, osprey, and other marine mammals and seabirds.
Despite their critical role in the Bay's ecology, the Chesapeake Bay is not seeing the number of young menhaden it has historically, raising concerns for scientists, anglers, and anyone who cares about the health of the Bay.
But right now is menhaden's moment for that trend to change. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), the group of Atlantic coastal state representatives that manages and conserves nearshore fish species, is accepting public comments on proposed changes to its menhaden management plan. And you have a chance to weigh in on this plan and stand up for this critical fish at public hearings next week in Arnold, MD, Colonial Beach, VA, and Newport News, VA. Click here for details.
Can't make a hearing? Send a message to ASMFC right now—before the October 20 deadline—advocating for a strong, ecosystem-based management plan for menhaden.
Saving the bay means not only cleaning the water but ensuring the wildlife that depend on it are thriving. Lend your voice to menhaden and help us fight for responsible, science-based fisheries management. With our collective effort, we can leave a healthy Chesapeake Bay to future generations.
This Week in the Watershed: Oyster Innovation, Rainwater Beer, and a Fishy Future
- John Page Williams, CBF's Senior Naturalist, writes on the need to protect the Atlantic menhaden. (Boating Magazine)
- Learn why CBF's upcoming event on Maryland's Eastern Shore, the Rod and Reef Slam, is not your average fishing tournament. (Chestertown Spy—MD)
- Bravo to Dr. Don Boesch, a longtime friend of CBF, for his decades of service as President of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. Boesch is retiring this year, leaving quite a legacy at his position at the intersection of science and policy. (Bay Journal)
- Two thumbs up to this editorial arguing for EPA's involvement in the Chesapeake Bay cleanup. (Baltimore Sun—MD)
- CBF's fall education season launched on Monday, and two dozen Pennsylvania students learned first-hand the importance of clean water in the Susquehanna River. (Keystone News Service—PA)
- In the midst of a devastating hurricane season, many are asking—is Maryland ready for the next big storm? (Washington Post)
- Volunteers from Annapolis' Eastport neighborhood found an innovative use for an oyster reef. (Capital Gazette—MD)
- What do you do after you become the first commercial building in the United States to filter its own rainwater? Use that water to make your own beer, of course! (The Virginian-Pilot—VA)
- The future of menhaden, often called "the most important fish in the sea," hangs in the balance. (Star Democrat—MD)
What's Happening Around the Watershed?
September 16
- Easton, MD: Join us on International Coastal Cleanup Day to clean ponds and streams that lead to the Tred Avon River. All participants will receive a free, reusable CBF tote. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Click here to register!
September 18
- Arnold, MD: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is accepting comments on proposed changes to its menhaden management plan—changes that could determine whether this vital fish thrives or struggles in the future. Join us at this public hearing to tell ASMFC you want a strong, ecosystem-based management plan for "the most important fish in the sea." Click here for more information!
September 19
- Colonial Beach, VA: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is accepting comments on proposed changes to its menhaden management plan—changes that could determine whether this vital fish thrives or struggles in the future. Join us at this public hearing to tell ASMFC you want a strong, ecosystem-based management plan for "the most important fish in the sea." Click here for more information!
September 21
- Baltimore, MD: Join us for a fun and educational trip out of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. CBF's workboat Snow Goose provides a unique platform from which participants study the dynamic relationship between the Port of Baltimore and the Chesapeake Bay's Patapsco River. Click here to register!
- Annapolis, MD: Come on board for a sail on our historic skipjack the Stanley Norman. While aboard, you'll be invited to help hoist the sails or simply enjoy the view! You will leave with a better understanding of oysters and their role in keeping the Bay clean as well as what CBF is doing to restore the oyster stocks to save the Bay. Click here to register!
- Newport News, VA: The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is accepting comments on proposed changes to its menhaden management plan—changes that could determine whether this vital fish thrives or struggles in the future. Join us at this public hearing to tell ASMFC you want a strong, ecosystem-based management plan for "the most important fish in the sea." Click here for more information!
September 22-23
- Virginia Beach, VA: Join us for our 7th Annual Clean Water Captains' workshop. This annual training provides Captains and prospective Captains the most up-to-date, actionable science and policy information available. The training also provides opportunities for networking, paddling on Crab Creek, and bird watching at the Brock Environmental Center. Click here to register!
September 23
- Annapolis, MD: Join us out on the water for a morning of fishing, learning, and fun! Spend the morning aboard the Marguerite in search of whatever is biting! Our experienced crew will provide all the knowledge and equipment necessary—just bring your enthusiasm! Click here to register!
- Baltimore, MD: Help grow the Bay's beloved bivalve–the mighty oyster–in the Inner Harbor! Activities at this oyster gardening workshop include Oyster and Bay 101, building oyster cages, and installing cages of baby oysters (spat on shell) in the harbor at the Downtown Sailing Center. Click here to register!
September 24
- Easton, MD: Help grow the Bay's beloved bivalve–the mighty oyster! Join us for a new oyster gardener workshop to the supplies and training necessary to grow your own oysters. During the two-hour workshop, you will learn about oyster ecology, the importance of oysters to the Chesapeake Bay, and how to care for your oyster garden. You will also construct four oyster gardening cages that you will use to grow your oysters. Click here to register!
- Easton, MD: Returning oyster gardeners can pick up their spat for the fall/winter season. Click here to register!
September 25
- Cambridge, MD: Join us for our most in-depth adult education program available to our members and the public. VoiCeS, which stands for Volunteers as Chesapeake Stewards, is a program to reach out to local volunteers and their communities to create a deeper understanding of the Bay and the efforts to restore it. The Dorchester VoiCeS class is a six-week course meeting on Mondays, starting September 25! Click here to register!
September 26
- Edgewater, MD: Returning oyster gardeners can pick up their spat for the fall/winter season. Click here to register!
September 28
- Lynchburg, VA: Join us for a Clean Water Breakfast to learn how Virginia is faring toward reaching its water quality goals and what you can do. With the gubernatorial election right around the corner, discover what's needed in the next four years to sustain the recovery of the James River and the Chesapeake Bay. Click here to register!
September 30
- Baltimore, MD: Help grow the Bay's beloved bivalve–the mighty oyster–in the Inner Harbor! Activities at this oyster gardening workshop include Oyster and Bay 101, building oyster cages, and installing cages of baby oysters (spat on shell) in the harbor. Click here to register!
October 1
- Upper Marlboro, MD: Join us for a fun-filled afternoon with friends, live music, craft-brewed beers, and mouth-watering food created by area chefs using local ingredients at CBF's Burgers and Brews for the Bay. A family friendly event, it features live bluegrass music, hay rides, fish printing, and educational stations. Buy your tickets now!
October 3
- Annapolis, MD: Come on board for a sail on our historic skipjack the Stanley Norman. While aboard, you'll be invited to help hoist the sails or simply enjoy the view! You will leave with a better understanding of oysters and their role in keeping the Bay clean as well as what CBF is doing to restore the oyster stocks to save the Bay. Click here to register!
October 6
- Annapolis, MD: Help grow the Bay's beloved bivalve–the mighty oyster! Join us for a new oyster gardener workshop to the supplies and training necessary to grow your own oysters. During the two-hour workshop, you will learn about oyster ecology, the importance of oysters to the Chesapeake Bay, and how to care for your oyster garden. You will also construct four oyster gardening cages that you will use to grow your oysters. Click here to register!
October 7
- Sherwood, MD: Help us prove that oyster restoration is making a difference. Join us for our Rod and Reef Slam Fishing Tournament! Compete to catch (and release!) the largest number of fish species on three restored oyster reefs: the Tilghman Reef just outside Knapps Narrows, the Harris Creek reefs, and the Cook's Point reef ball field in the mouth of the Choptank. Don't fish? Register for the afterparty only and enjoy food, entertainment, a cash bar, and loads of information about what restored oyster reefs mean for fish in the Bay. Space is limited, register now!
- Frederick County, MD: Come help CBF plant more than 1,000 trees and shrubs along Israel Creek on a beef cattle farm in Frederick County. Approximately 5,000 feet of stream banks will be planted resulting is five acres of new riparian buffer. Israel Creek is in the Monocacy River watershed, which flows to the Potomac River then to the Chesapeake Bay. Click here to register!
October 9
- Frederick, MD: Join us for our most in-depth adult education program available to our members and the public. VoiCeS, which stands for Volunteers as Chesapeake Stewards, is a program to reach out to local volunteers and their communities to create a deeper understanding of the Bay and the efforts to restore it. The Frederick VoiCeS class is a six-week course meeting on Mondays, starting October 9. Click here to register!
October 10
- Alexandria, VA: Join us for a Clean Water Breakfast to learn how Virginia is faring toward reaching its water quality goals and what you can do. Alexandria Renew's CEO, Karen Pallansch, will speak on the water quality challenges next administration will need to tackle and our asks of the next Governor. Click here to register!
October 12
- Virginia Beach, VA: Join us for a Clean Water Breakfast and hear from Chris Moore, CBF's Senior Regional Ecosystem Scientist and Kyle Hart, Virginia Conservation Network's Wildlife & Sportsman Organizer on how the health of the Chesapeake Bay has improved as well as the challenges facing Virginia's next governor to improve water quality, enhance fisheries, and expand wildlife habitat. Click here to register!
October 14
- Annapolis, MD: Come on board for a sail on our historic skipjack the Stanley Norman. While aboard, you'll be invited to help hoist the sails or simply enjoy the view! You will leave with a better understanding of oysters and their role in keeping the Bay clean as well as what CBF is doing to restore the oyster stocks to save the Bay. Click here to register!
- Baltimore, MD: The Great Baltimore Oyster Festival returns to Baltimore's Inner Harbor! Benefiting CBF and the Waterfront Partnership's Healthy Harbor Initiative, the festival includes live music, oysters (raw, fried, and grilled), seafood dishes from local restaurants, beer, wine, and specialty cocktails, and family-friendly activities. The event is free to attend but you need to purchase a ticket to eat oysters. Buy tickets here!
October 15
- Solomons, MD: Returning oyster gardeners can pick up their spat for the fall/winter season. Click here to register!
October 21
- Washington County, MD: Come help CBF plant more than 1,000 trees and shrubs. This planting is the final stage of restoring a floodplain in the Antietam Creek watershed. Click here to register!
- Annapolis, MD: Help grow the Bay's beloved bivalve–the mighty oyster! Join us for a new oyster gardener workshop to the supplies and training necessary to grow your own oysters. During the two-hour workshop, you will learn about oyster ecology, the importance of oysters to the Chesapeake Bay, and how to care for your oyster garden. You will also construct four oyster gardening cages that you will use to grow your oysters. Click here to register!
- Annapolis, MD: Returning oyster gardeners can pick up their spat for the fall/winter season. Click here to register!
October 22
- Shady Side, MD: Help grow the Bay's beloved bivalve–the mighty oyster! Join us for a new oyster gardener workshop to the supplies and training necessary to grow your own oysters. During the two-hour workshop, you will learn about oyster ecology, the importance of oysters to the Chesapeake Bay, and how to care for your oyster garden. You will also construct four oyster gardening cages that you will use to grow your oysters. Click here to register!
- Shady Side, MD: Returning oyster gardeners can pick up their spat for the fall/winter season. Click here to register!
