$1M in grants awarded to study key Chesapeake Bay species

Associated Press//December 2, 2011//

Listen to this article

ANNAPOLIS — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says more than $1 million in grants from its Chesapeake Bay office will be used to improve understanding of soft-shell clams, oysters, striped bass and other key bay species.

The grants will fund research by teams at universities and state agencies in Virginia and Maryland. NOAA says the programs emphasize collaboration between bay interests in the two states. Programs include the first-ever attempt to assess oyster stocks using survey methods similar to the winter dredge survey for crabs.

Another project will work to integrate incompatible datasets the two states have developed on oyster diseases. And another will study what caused the decline of soft-shelled clams and what can be done to restore the shellfish, an important food source for crabs and fish.

Tags: oysters, chesapeake bay, striped bass, Environment, maryland, virginia

Select Region or Brand