BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland’s oyster population has more than tripled since 2005, reaching over 12 billion oysters in 2024, according to a new report. The positive assessment is attributed to a combination of factors, including large-scale restoration efforts, favorable environmental conditions, and harvest restrictions. The latest benchmark stock assessment, released this week by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the University […]
BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Higher Education Commission announced this week that it has awarded $18.75 million in grants to improve public safety at higher education institutions in Maryland. The grants can be used for a variety of purposes, including campus security assessments, enhanced security operations, and emergency management planning. The money is being awarded to colleges and universities across the state, […]
BALTIMORE, MD—The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES) released its annual report card this week with the overall Chesapeake Bay earning a grade of C+ (55%), the highest grade since 2002. The 2023/2024 Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card is the 17th annual ecosystem report card. Overall, the health of the Chesapeake Bay is improving slightly, with 11 […]
ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore this week announced that more than 1.7 billion new juvenile oysters have been planted on sanctuary and public oyster fishery sites in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay this year, surpassing an ambitious 2023 planting goal and setting a new annual record. The milestone means that the state has planted almost 7 billion oysters since launching its large-scale oyster […]
BALTIMORE, MD—In response to the lowest abundance of crabs ever counted in the 33-year history of the Chesapeake Bay’s winter blue crab dredge survey, fishery managers at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Virginia Marine Resources Commission this week adopted new regulations designed to reduce the crab harvest. The regulations aim to help the overall Chesapeake crab population rebound. […]
BALTIMORE, MD – Ecologists from the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and the University of Michigan are forecasting a large Chesapeake Bay “dead zone” in 2019 due to above-average river flows associated with increased rainfall in the watershed since last fall. “The forecast this year reflects the high levels of precipitation that have been observed across the Bay’s watershed,” said report […]
A partnership of more than 20 organizations, businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions has established a bold new goal of adding 10 billion new oysters to the Chesapeake Bay by 2025. The result will be cleaner water and creation of jobs that will help local economies, says the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the organization spearheading the new Chesapeake 10 Billion Oysters Partnership. […]