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A new role for nonprofits saving the bay
While conservation groups typically stick to advocating for policy and regulatory changes, a few Maryland organizations recently found themselves playing an unusual role in helping investigators solve the biggest illegal poaching case on the Chesapeake Bay in 25 years. Earlier this month, the Chesapeake BaySavers Association donated its pledged $10,000 portion of the $20,000 reward […]
Juvenile rockfish index rises in 2013
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said its index of Striped Bass juvenile spawning in the Chesapeake Bay was measured at 5.8 this year, a substantial increase over last year’s total of 0.9, but below the 60-year average of 11.7. The annual survey tracks the reproductive success of Maryland’s state fish, commonly called rockfish. The […]
2012 juvenile striped bass count sinks to record low
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday that the 2012 striped bass juvenile index — a measure of striped bass spawning success in the Chesapeake Bay — is below the long-term average this year. This year’s striped bass juvenile index came in at 0.9, the lowest on record. That contrasted with last year’s survey, […]
Striped bass tagging program approved by ASMFC
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — A mandatory commercial tagging program has been approved for striped bass fishing along the Atlantic coast. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission announced approval of the program on Wednesday. The commission says it was developed following an investigation of illegal fishing in the Chesapeake Bay. The commission says 19 individuals and three […]
Maryland looking for new seafood logo
ANNAPOLIS — Maryland is looking for a new logo to help market the state’s seafood and state officials are asking the public for their ideas. The Department of Natural Resources says the winning artist will win a fishing trip for five to harvest their choice of crabs, oysters or striped bass. State officials say the […]
Chesapeake Bay grasses down in 2011; rain, heat blamed
Underwater grasses in the Chesapeake Bay declined more than 20 percent last year, hurt by summer heat and heavy rains and snow melt that sent tons of mud and debris into the bay, the Chesapeake Bay Program said Wednesday. The losses mean levels of the grasses that provide food and homes for fish, birds and […]
Watermen ask for easing of striped bass quota
EASTON — Watermen and lawmakers on the Eastern Shore are asking state natural resources officials to ease tougher striped bass harvest regulations. The harvest quota was cut 5 percent after illegal nets were found last year with tons of striped bass. The president of the Chesapeake Bay Commercial Fisherman’s Association and state lawmakers sent the […]
$1M in grants awarded to study key Chesapeake Bay species
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 […]
State’s striped bass population rebounding
ANNAPOLIS — Maryland’s striped bass population is rebounding, according to new survey results released by state fisheries scientists. The Department of Natural Resources said its Young of the Year survey released Tuesday shows striped bass spawning at the fourth-highest level in the survey’s 58-year history. DNR biologist Eric Durell said the four largest spawns on […]
State lawmakers to get striped bass rule changes
ANNAPOLIS — Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources plans to present changes to striped bass netting regulations this week to state lawmakers. The changes were prompted by the discovery last winter of tons of illegally netted striped bass, also known as rockfish. DNR has been accepting public comment on the proposed changes, including requiring license numbers […]
More illegal rockfish nets found off Kent Island
LOVE POINT — Maryland Natural Resources police say they’ve found another illegal rockfish net off Kent Island near the mouth of the Chester River. Sgt. Art Windemuth says officers patrolling the area found the 400-yard-long net Wednesday morning with up to 400 pounds of striped bass, also known as rockfish. He says it appears that […]
Bay signs are encouraging, but improvement is slow
RICHMOND, Va. — The Chesapeake Bay is showing encouraging signs of improvement but remains afflicted with dead zones, fish kills and pollution, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation said Tuesday in its State of the Bay Report. The report notes improvements since the last report in 2008 in eight of 13 indicators, including a rebounding blue crab […]
