-
Despite Red Flags, Striped Bass Once Again See No Action From Fisheries Managers
October 30, 2025
The future of the struggling striped bass population is in peril after the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) voted for “status quo” management on Oct. 29, neglecting alarming red flags for the species.
-
Menhaden Management Meeting Results in Lackluster Coastwide Catch Reductions
October 29, 2025
Reacting to a new assessment that shows the menhaden population is significantly weaker than previously thought, fisheries regulators yesterday took a minor step to reduce the coastwide menhaden fishing quota along the Atlantic.
-
Federal, State Leaders Near Final Chesapeake Bay Restoration Plan Ahead of December Summit
October 29, 2025
Officials yesterday took an important step toward updating the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, setting the stage for governors and federal leaders to formally recommit this December to Bay restoration goals for the next 15 years.
-
New Coastwide Menhaden Science Estimates Smaller Population, Indicates Major Catch Reductions Needed
October 17, 2025
There are fewer menhaden along the Atlantic Coast than previously thought, leading to potential major catch reductions, according to scientific assessments released this week ahead of a fisheries regulators meeting.
-
Striped Bass Continue to Struggle in Chesapeake Bay
October 15, 2025
The future of Chesapeake Bay’s striped bass population continues to be in peril, as seen by results from Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) and Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)’s annual juvenile striped bass survey. For the seventh consecutive year in Maryland and fourth consecutive year in Virginia, young striped bass numbers are well below the long-term average.
-
Amid Striped Bass Struggles, CBF Urges the Public to Weigh In on Rebuilding Plan
September 22, 2025
After years of alarming red flags for striped bass in Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is currently considering new harvest restrictions for the iconic fish. Members of the public can learn more and voice their concerns at several upcoming in-person or virtual hearing options and submit comments to ASMFC by Oct. 3.
-
Chesapeake Bay Foundation Celebrates Groundbreaking of New Oyster Restoration Center in Anne Arundel County
September 19, 2025
Representatives from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) were joined this week by partners and supporters to celebrate a ceremonial groundbreaking at what will henceforth be the Truman T. Semans Center for Oyster Restoration and Innovation in Galesville, Maryland.
-
Lackluster Progress in Reducing Chesapeake Bay Pollution Underscores Need for Strong Agreement
September 4, 2025
While there is slightly less pollution flowing into the Chesapeake Bay from major rivers in recent years, water quality in the Bay has remained steady, according to an analysis released yesterday by the EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program.
-
Virginians Overwhelmingly Back Reforming Industrial Menhaden Fishery Amid Troubling Signs
September 3, 2025
As warning signs escalate in the Chesapeake Bay, a recent poll shows the vast majority of Virginians support increased protection of menhaden—a small fish that is an important food for larger fish, osprey, and whales.
-
Fisheries Regulators Delay Action for Chesapeake Bay Menhaden to Explore Options
August 7, 2025
To address growing warning signs around the Chesapeake Bay, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Menhaden Management Board voted 14 to 2 in favor of further refining specific management changes to Virginia’s industrial reduction fishery in the Bay.
-
Striped Bass Fishery Plan Aims to Address Looming Crisis
August 7, 2025
Aiming to rebuild the struggling striped bass population, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) yesterday released a proposed update to the striped bass fishery plan for public comment.
-
Chesapeake Bay Underwater Grasses Show Mixed Recovery: Gains Offset by Declines
August 5, 2025
The checkered recovery of underwater grasses in the Chesapeake Bay persisted this year, with declines in some Maryland waters offsetting promising increases in the Bay's Virginia portions, according to results released today of the annual 2024 Chesapeake Bay underwater grasses survey in Maryland and Virginia.
-
Chesapeake Bay Agreement Draft Falls Short
August 5, 2025
As state and federal leaders around the region update the major agreement guiding Chesapeake Bay restoration, this August is a pivotal time to urge stronger measures to protect the Bay.
-
Chesapeake Bay Partnership Set to Meet Oyster Restoration Goals in Maryland and Virginia
July 24, 2025
The Chesapeake Bay Program today announced the expected completion of one of the Bay’s most successful recovery efforts to date: fully restoring oyster habitat in 10 tributaries in Maryland and Virginia by 2025.
-
Veterans Give Back Through Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration
July 18, 2025
In a triumph for outdoor stewardship and clean water, roughly a dozen U.S. veterans and servicemembers joined the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) this week to restore oyster habitat in Maryland and Virginia.
-
Osprey Population on Virginia’s Eastern Shore Collapses Amid Menhaden Concerns, New Research Suggests
June 25, 2025
New research indicates a collapse of the osprey population along the seaside of Virginia’s Eastern Shore, a frequent area for industrial menhaden fishing by Omega Protein.
-
Blue Crab Decline Calls for Science-Backed Decisions
June 24, 2025
VMRC maintains current blue crab regulations. A comprehensive study is expected next year.
-
Chesapeake Bay Health Dips in New Report Card, but Long-Term Trend Remains Positive
June 10, 2025
While Chesapeake Bay health declined in 2024 compared to the previous year, the Bay’s health remains on a long-term upward trend, according to the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES)’s 2025 Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card released today.
-
Chesapeake Bay Restoration Progress Underscores Need for Investment and Commitment
June 3, 2025
The EPA’s Chesapeake Bay Program announced that states are continuing to make progress in reducing pollution to the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers and streams, according to the latest estimates from computer modeling tools.
-
Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Population Drops to Distressing Low
May 22, 2025
Blue crabs in Maryland and Virginia have dipped to the second lowest number in recent history, according to results from the annual blue crab winter dredge survey conducted jointly by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
-
Will Chesapeake Bay's Cold, Snowy Winter Spell Success for Striped Bass?
April 10, 2025
As striped bass prepare to spawn in Maryland and Virginia rivers this month, experts believe the species may benefit from the Chesapeake Bay region’s snowier and colder winter. Historically, cold weather conditions have produced strong year classes of striped bass—when reproduction levels are high and young fish can grow into the large, iconic rockfish targeted by anglers.
-
Region's Residents Believe Challenges Facing Chesapeake Bay Becoming More Serious, According to New Poll
March 11, 2025
As the federal-state partnership to restore the Chesapeake Bay faces unprecedented federal upheaval, more than half (52%) of surveyed Chesapeake Bay-area residents believe challenges to the Bay will become more serious over the next five years, according to a new poll by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF).
-
Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Alan Girard Elected to Lead Delmarva Land and Litter Collaborative
February 20, 2025
To help protect water quality across the Chesapeake Bay region, Alan Girard, CBF's Maryland Advocacy Director, was elected this year’s Chair of the Delmarva Land and Litter Collaborative (DLLC).
-
Chesapeake Bay Commission Elects MD Sen. Sara Love as Chair
January 7, 2025
The Chesapeake Bay Commission this week announced that it has elected Maryland Senator Sara Love as its next chair.
