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Chesapeake ‘Dead Zone’ Average Size in 2024
November 20, 2024
The Chesapeake Bay’s dead zone, a low-oxygen area that can smother underwater life, was about average in size in 2024, according to recently released data.
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New Chesapeake Bay Assessment Reveals Concerns and Hope
October 31, 2024
Despite a slight improvement from previous years, more than two-thirds of the Chesapeake Bay and its tidal rivers and streams did not meet clean water standards between 2020 and 2022, according to an assessment by the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program released today.
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As 2025 Chesapeake Cleanup Deadline Looms, Officials Propose Next Phase
October 28, 2024
As a defining moment for Chesapeake Bay restoration approaches, officials proposed a course for the next phase of Bay cleanup on Oct. 25.
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ASMFC Considers Further Conservation Action Following Updated Striped Bass Stock Assessment
October 24, 2024
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) reviewed results from its coastwide 2024 Striped Bass Stock Assessment update, which indicated that fish numbers remain below sustainable levels, and voted to meet again in December to consider further action.
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As Osprey Populations Struggle, Managers Continue Deliberations on Chesapeake Bay Menhaden
October 23, 2024
Following reports of osprey chicks starving in areas of the Chesapeake Bay where they depend on menhaden for food, a workgroup tackling the issue gave its initial report to the East Coast’s fishery managers Oct. 22.
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Young Striped Bass Continue Years-Long Struggle in Chesapeake Bay
October 17, 2024
Today the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released another year of alarming results from an annual survey of juvenile striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay.
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Maryland Congressional Leaders Meet Ahead of Chesapeake Bay Restoration’s Next Phase
September 26, 2024
As officials plan for the next phase of Chesapeake Bay restoration, states in the Bay watershed will not meet goals to reduce pollution to the Bay by a 2025 deadline despite recent progress, members of Maryland’s congressional delegation and an EPA official said at a press conference yesterday.
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Osprey Starvation in Virginia and Maryland Linked to Menhaden, New Study Finds
September 12, 2024
Amid continuing concerns about the availability of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay, a study released this week shows that osprey chicks are starving in nests in parts of the Bay where they typically depend on menhaden for food.
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EPA Chesapeake Bay Evaluations Show Need for Action
August 14, 2024
Key states in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are not fully on track to meet commitments to reduce pollution to the Bay by 2025, according to evaluations released today by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
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Maryland Proposes Further Action for Menhaden in Chesapeake Bay
August 6, 2024
Today, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) voted to establish a workgroup to consider additional protections from industrial fishing of menhaden in the Chesapeake Bay after hearing new survey results that show low osprey nesting success in the Bay.
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Chesapeake Bay Foundation Applauds Bay Grasses Continued Recovery
July 31, 2024
Underwater grasses, a key barometer for Chesapeake Bay health, experienced an increase overall this past year, according to the 2023 results of the annual Chesapeake Bay grasses survey released today.
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Chesapeake Bay Foundation Mourns Loss of Maryland Senior Scientist, Doug Myers
July 10, 2024
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) mourns the loss of Maryland Senior Scientist Doug Myers. During his tenure at CBF, Doug fiercely advocated for Bay health and environmental justice.
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CBF Statement on the UMCES 2023 Chesapeake Bay Report Card
July 9, 2024
The health of the Chesapeake Bay has improved to a C+ for the first time in 20 years in the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)’s 2023/2024 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Report Card released today.
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Virginia Opens Winter Blue Crab Harvest Despite Opposition
June 25, 2024
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) voted 5-4 on June 25 to reopen the winter crab dredge fishery, going against VMRC’s staff recommendation and nearly 200 public comments in opposition to the reopening.
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Chesapeake Bay Dead Zone Predicted to Be Slightly Larger Than Average
June 21, 2024
The dead zone in the Chesapeake Bay responsible for choking underwater life is forecast to be slightly larger than average and began earlier than normal this year, according to a forecast released today by the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program.
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Despite Progress, Chesapeake Bay Streamside Forests Not Meeting Goals
June 12, 2024
Despite recent progress, efforts to restore and conserve trees along rivers and streams in the Chesapeake Bay watershed are not meeting goals, according to a press release issued by the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program.
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Oyster Restoration in Chesapeake Bay Expected to Meet 2025 Goal
June 6, 2024
The Chesapeake Bay Program announced today that the goal to restore healthy oyster reefs in 10 Chesapeake Bay tributaries should meet its 2025 deadline.
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Revitalizing Maritime Heritage: Minorities in Aquaculture’s (MIA) Pioneering Program for the Next Generation of African American Commercial Captains
June 5, 2024
Minorities in Aquaculture (MIA) has been making waves in the aquaculture industry by offering the underrepresented demographics, specifically women of color, invaluable professional development opportunities, hands-on job experiences, and access to critical maritime technical skills.
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Chesapeake Blue Crab Numbers Remain Low Despite Signs of Improvement
May 22, 2024
The Chesapeake Bay blue crab population showed some signs of improvement from a previous 33-year low in recent survey results, but concerns remain about their overall decline.
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EPA Bay Program’s Latest Model Estimates a Decrease in Pollution Entering Chesapeake Bay
May 3, 2024
The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) announced new results yesterday, derived from its Watershed Model, that estimate jurisdictions in the Chesapeake Bay watershed have made progress towards meeting their 2025 pollution reduction goals.
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As Striped Bass Concerns Continue, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Plans Next Steps
May 2, 2024
As concerns about low striped bass numbers continue, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) on May 1 took additional steps to address the number of striped bass dying after being caught and released, as well as unsustainable commercial fishing rates.
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Osprey Concerns Spur Renewed Discussion of Chesapeake Bay Menhaden Management at ASMFC
May 1, 2024
The effects of the Chesapeake Bay menhaden fishery on osprey sparked discussion at the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Atlantic Menhaden Management Board’s April 30 meeting.
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Washington-Area Regional Leaders Adopt New Tree Canopy Goal
April 16, 2024
An association representing hundreds of Washington, D.C.-area local and state leaders adopted a new regional tree canopy goal April 11, signaling tree cover as a natural asset to achieve sustainable, equitable, and healthier communities.
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CBF Honors Sen. Cardin With Clean Water Legacy Award in DC
March 19, 2024
Last night, Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) President and CEO Hilary Harp Falk was pleased to honor Maryland Sen. Ben Cardin with CBF's Clean Water Legacy Award at its 2024 DC on the Half Shell gala.
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Chesapeake Oyster Alliance Celebrates 6 Billion Oysters Added To The Bay Since 2017
March 8, 2024
Following a banner year for Chesapeake Bay oyster restoration and aquaculture, the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance (COA) this week announced it has recorded a new total of 6 billion oysters directly added to the Bay since 2017.
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Save the Bay Photo Contest Now Seeking 2024 Submissions
March 4, 2024
Local photographers are now invited to submit their top photographs from around the Chesapeake Bay watershed for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)’s annual Save the Bay Photo Contest.
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Chesapeake Oyster Recovery Key to Climate Resilience, Community Vitality, and the Bay’s Future, New CBF Report Says
February 15, 2024
With Chesapeake Bay oyster recovery at a crucial point, building on current momentum will increase resiliency to climate change in the region while creating multiple benefits for people and the environment, according to a new report released today by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
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Registration Open for Summer Camp on the Chesapeake Bay
February 13, 2024
Middle school students passionate about nature, science, and the environment can experience a once-in-a-lifetime summer adventure at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF)’s Middle School Bay Eco-Camp.
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ASMFC Approves New Striped Bass Fisheries Plan for East Coast
January 25, 2024
Aiming to rebuild the East Coast’s striped bass population, an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) panel yesterday approved an update to its fisheries management plan.
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Chesapeake Oyster Alliance Announces 2024 Oyster Innovation Awardees
January 9, 2024
To promote oyster aquaculture, outreach, and research in Maryland and Virginia, the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance (COA) will award 15 organizations a total of $140,000 for this year's Oyster Innovation Awards.
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Major Flooding Across Chesapeake Bay Watershed Highlights Need for Lasting Solutions From MD and VA Legislators
January 9, 2024
Today, communities across the Chesapeake Bay watershed are experiencing severe coastal flooding. Extreme flooding demonstrates the need for long-term sustainable solutions for tidal flooding across the Bay.
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Chesapeake Bay Commission Elects VA. Del. David Bulova as Chair
January 9, 2024
The Chesapeake Bay Commission this week announced that it has elected Virginia Delegate David Bulova as its next chair.