News

Virginia Oyster Gardeners Break Records in 2019

August 9, 2019

Volunteer oyster gardeners in Virginia this year raised and returned nearly 104,000 adult oysters to plant on sanctuary reefs, nearly three times the 39,000 oysters returned in 2018.

CBF Statement on Striped Bass Actions by ASMFC

August 8, 2019

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission aims to address overfishing of the striped bass population in the Chesapeake Bay and along the Atlantic Coast after recent assessments confirmed that numbers of the fish are down significantly.

Northrop Grumman Experimenting with Sensors to Help CBF Monitor Oyster Reefs

August 5, 2019

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Six engineering teams are working with the latest technology to develop a solution to a challenging environmental issue.

Menhaden Fishery Sustainability Certification Hits Snag

August 1, 2019

(RICHMOND, VA)—After numerous conservation groups raised serious concerns, a certification for sustainable seafood must take additional action before conditionally certifying Omega Protein's Atlantic Coast menhaden fishery.

CBF Plants More Than 3 Million Oysters near Baltimore Harbor

July 31, 2019

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The work continues CBF’s efforts to increase the spawning potential of oysters at reefs next to Fort Carroll, just south of the Baltimore Harbor.

CBF Statement on Maryland's Ongoing Efforts to Create A New Oyster Management Plan

July 23, 2019

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The Chesapeake Bay Foundation continues to have significant concerns about the draft fishery management plan for oysters put forth by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources today.

CBF Issues Statement on CBSAC Blue Crab Report

July 2, 2019

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Estimates from this year’s winter dredge blue crab survey found that the population is 60 percent above the previous year, and the best since 2012.

Northern Neck Oyster Gardeners Help Restore Wild Reefs

June 27, 2019

Oyster gardening gives volunteers the opportunity to play a role in bringing back the beloved Chesapeake Bay bivalve.

CBF Statement on Changes to Virginia’s Blue Crab Fishery

June 25, 2019

(HAMPTON, VA)—Today the Virginia Marine Resources Commission approved changes to Virginia’s blue crab fishery that include a slight increase in catch limits in November.

CBF Statement on Signing of Virginia Aquaculture Bills

June 25, 2019

(VIRGINIA BEACH, VA)—Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam signed two bills that will help support Virginia's oyster and clam aquaculture industry and others who use Virginia's tidal waters.

Blue Catfish: How to Think about an Invasive Species

June 6, 2019

CBF Statement in Response to Gov. Hogan’s Veto of Oyster Fishery Management Plan Bill

May 24, 2019

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Gov. Larry Hogan vetoed bipartisan legislation passed by the General Assembly that would have created a consensus-based process to develop a new oyster fishery management plan for Maryland.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Applauds Funding for Oyster Restoration

May 21, 2019

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, the House Appropriations Committee released details of funding for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers including $5 million for large-scale oyster restoration and rehabilitation efforts.

CBF Statement on Blue Crab Survey Results

May 6, 2019

(VIRGINIA BEACH, VA)—The Winter Crab Dredge Survey results released today show increasing numbers of all three major biological indicators of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay.

ASMFC Takes Action on Striped Bass

April 30, 2019

(ARLINGTON, VA)—In order to reduce fish mortality and restore a thriving striped bass population, today the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission voted to begin developing changes to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for the striped bass harvest coastwide.

CBF Statement on Striped Bass Trophy Season Closing in Virginia

April 23, 2019

(ARLINGTON, VA)—The Virginia Marine Resources Commission voted today to close the trophy striped bass fishing season this spring following concerns about the striped bass population.

CBF Statement on Senate Override of Oyster Bill Veto

April 8, 2019

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Today, the Maryland state Senate overrode Gov. Hogan’s veto of legislation that would permanently protect five of Maryland’s oyster restoration sanctuaries.

CBF Statement on Override of Hogan’s Veto

April 5, 2019

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The Maryland House of Delegates Friday voted to override Gov. Hogan’s late-night veto of legislation that would permanently protect Maryland’s five oyster restoration sites.

CBF Issues Statement on Passage of the Oyster Fishery Management Bill

April 4, 2019

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Legislation that would task the Oyster Advisory Commission with developing consensus-based recommendations for the future of oyster fishery management in Maryland has now passed both the House and the Senate.

CBF Statement on Gov. Hogan Vetoing Oyster Protection Bill

April 4, 2019

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Tonight, Governor Hogan vetoed legislation that would permanently protect oyster restoration sites in five Maryland tributaries.

Statement on Challenge to Menhaden Sustainability Certification

March 27, 2019

(RICHMOND, VA)—Today, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and The Nature Conservancy submitted an objection to the recommendation of a provisional certification of Omega Protein’s Atlantic Menhaden Fishery to the Marine Stewardship Council Principles and Criteria for Sustainable Fishing.

CBF Issues Statement on Passage of Maryland Oyster Tributary Bill

March 27, 2019

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—Legislation that would permanently protect the five Maryland tributaries targeted for large-scale oyster restoration has passed both the Senate and the House.

An Oyster Champion in Virginia

February 27, 2019

One student is on a quest to officially recognize the importance of oysters in Virginia.

This Week in the Watershed: The Bay's Cornerstone

February 22, 2019

Following decades of restoration work, we are making progress restoring the Bay's native oyster population. And two pieces of legislation before the Maryland General Assembly would take restoration efforts even further.

Optimism Amid Challenges as Maryland’s Oyster Farming Industry Continues to Grow

February 20, 2019

2019 Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Conference highlighted changes in the Bay’s regenerative business.