First human case of West Nile virus this year confirmed in Baltimore metro area

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Health on Wednesday announced that an adult living in the Baltimore metropolitan area has tested positive for the West Nile virus – the first confirmed human case of the virus in Maryland this year. The West Nile virus is transmitted to humans by mosquitoes who have been infected by feeding on birds who have the […]

Maryland state record blue marlin caught in Ocean City

OCEAN CITY, MD—A Florida angler is the new Maryland state record holder for a blue marlin, which he caught in an August 20 tournament at Ocean City. Billy Gerlach, 41, of Jupiter, Fla. broke the state’s 12-year-old standing record for the Atlantic Division, with a 1,135-pound blue marlin — Makaira nigricans — caught during the 30th MidAtlantic fishing tournament. After […]

Bird illness reports decrease, DNR lifts recommendation to stop feeding

NOTTINGHAM, MD—As of mid-August, reports of a strange illness affecting many local birds have decreased in many jurisdictions. On Tuesday, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources lifted its previous recommendation to stop feeding birds. In late May, wildlife managers in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and other states began receiving reports of sick and dying birds. Several […]

Angler breaks newly set Maryland swordfish record

UPDATE: This record has been broken. Original story below… —— OCEAN CITY, MD—A New Jersey angler is now the second officially recognized state record holder for swordfish, which he caught in a tournament on August 6 in Ocean City. Jake Bertonazzi broke the state’s nearly two-week-old record for the Atlantic Division with a 318.5-pound swordfish — Xiphias gladius — caught […]

Governor Hogan announces additional $3.4 million in relief funds for Maryland fishing industry

ANNAPOLIS. MD—Governor Larry Hogan, in conjunction with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, on Wednesday announced an additional $3.4 million in economic relief funds for the state’s commercial seafood industry through the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.The funding will support activities previously authorized under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, for those who have been affected […]

Angler sets Maryland swordfish record with 301-pound catch off Ocean City coast

OCEAN CITY, MD—An Anne Arundel County angler has become the first officially-recognized state record holder for swordfish, which he caught in a tournament on July 23 in Ocean City. Annapolis resident Peter Schultz, 36, is the first record holder for the Atlantic division – Swordfish (Xiphias gladius). Schultz caught the 301-pound swordfish while participating in the Big Fish Classic tournament, […]

Governor Hogan announces $22 million for Chesapeake Bay restoration projects

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Thursday announced the awarding of $22 million to 25 ecological restoration projects that will improve water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, while building local resilience to climate impacts. These awards encompass 123 unique sites that will be restored using best management practices, including riparian buffer and reforestation plantings, stream restoration, stormwater management, […]

Maryland Conservation Corps recruiting young adults for 2021-22 season

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is now recruiting members for the Maryland Conservation Corps, an award-winning AmeriCorps program that engages young adults aged 17-25 in extensive conservation, environmental and natural resources management projects across the state. The department seeks to hire 35 full-time members who will work on seven teams for an 11-month period, beginning in late September […]