Chesapeake Bay News

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has launched the new DNR Angler’s Log on its Fisheries Service website.

“We have been testing a new concept in sharing fishing information with a DNR-managed online angler’s log, featuring content provided by trusted anglers and our own fisheries staff,” said DNR Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell.

The DNR Angler’s Log expands upon the popular weekly fishing report by DNR biologist Keith Lockwood, with real-time reports from avid anglers from all parts of Maryland. The posts are reviewed and edited to ensure useful, family-friendly content before going live on the fisheries site. Additionally, Fisheries Service staff biologists regularly weigh in with backup information from the streams, lakes, rivers, bays and the ocean.

In the first 30 days the log generated more than 48,000 visitors and exciting fishing news flowed in, including advice about where the fish were biting and how they were caught.

The log is designed to be a place where anglers of all ages can go to find trustworthy information and features an easy search function so visitors may narrow the reports down to species, places of interest, or a specific contributor.

It also pairs up with the new DNR Hot Spot Map which identifies where fishing is particularly good.

The Angler’s Log is located at http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/log

This information is provided as a public service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. www.dnr.maryland.gov

A new study by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) biologists finds that several of Maryland’s native crayfish species have declined due to the introduction and spread of invasive species. This new study highlights the need for increased public awareness of invasive species issues and public participation and support to prevent the spread of problem animals.

“It’s been over 45 years since the last comprehensive study of Maryland’s crayfish, and a lot has changed in that time” said Jay Kilian, a biologist in DNR’s Resource Assessment Service and one of the authors of the study. “Maryland is now home to five non-native crayfish, all introduced as unwanted pets, through their use as bait by anglers, or as a result of escapes from aquaculture operations.”

The threat looms large, especially with the first-ever discovery of the Rusty Crayfish, one of the most notorious invasive species, in three Maryland watersheds in 2007 and 2008.

Crayfish play important ecological roles in nature. They serve as prey to many terrestrial and aquatic predators and are important processors of organic matter, the basis of aquatic food webs. However, several non-native crayfish species have flourished, become invasive, and are now widespread in the state. These invasive species represent the greatest threat to Maryland’s 14 native crayfish species.

Invasive crayfish can become very abundant in the streams, rivers, and lakes in which they are introduced. They often out-compete native crayfish for shelter habitats and food. These invasive species can also reduce the quality and quantity of food and habitat available to other aquatic animals.

“The most important thing we can do to protect our native species is to prevent the further spread of invasive crayfish already in Maryland and keep other invasives out,” Kilian said.

The study’s results were recently published in a special issue of Southeastern Naturalist, the product of a scientific symposium on the conservation, biology, and natural history of crayfish from the southern United States. It is available online: http://eaglehill.us/SENAonline/sena-v9-sp3-2010.shtml

This information is provided as a public service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. www.dnr.maryland.gov

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has removed two sunken barges from the Somers Cove Marina, making it ready to welcome boaters this season. The barges sank in the marsh of Jersey Island near Somers Cove Marina approximately 20 years ago.

“For years, this area of the marina has been a bit of an eyesore. Now, we can begin the first stage of a beautification project in that section,” said Lloyd Tyler, executive director of Somers Cove Marina.

Beautification efforts include covering the land next to the project area with topsoil and grass, and planting new trees.

Steven’s Marine Construction was awarded the contract to remove the sunken barges. Fuel tanks from the barges were properly drained and removed before the barges were hauled out, which will result in safer navigation of the area. Following removal, the barges’ corroding steel was taken to Delmarva Recycling Inc. to be recycled.

“The commission is very supportive of this effort to remove the old barges,” said Somers Cover Marina Commissioner Ladell Dorman. “They were a potential hazard to navigation as well as a possible source of pollution.”

In conjunction with ongoing projects to replace an old dock with a floating dock, and to upgrade and repair the fuel dock, removal of the sunken barges has Somers Cove Marina ready to welcome boaters for the 2010 boating season.

This removal was made possible by $13,500 from the Waterway Improvement Fund, which is supported by the five percent excise tax boaters pay when registering a vessel in Maryland.

This information is provided as a public service of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. www.dnr.maryland.gov

The Marylanders Plant Trees Program offers instant savings when you purchase a new tree from a participating nursery. The state program from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources offers a $25 coupon to purchase any native tree that costs more than $50. There is no limit on how many coupons you use and you can download it from the Marylanders Plant Trees web site.

When you register your new tree at www.trees.maryland.gov you join fellow Marylanders who have already planted and registered over 40,000 trees. Check out other tools on the website where you can calculate the environmental and economic benefits of your new trees and learn how to plant and care for them.  Be sure to use the interactive maps and charts to see how you are part of a larger community planting trees throughout the state.

Residents that are not able to plant at tree in their own yard can give the gift of trees with Tree-Mendous Maryland.  See: www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/Treemendous

PLANT and BE COUNTED is a call to all Marylanders and businesses to plant and register trees. The goal is 50,000 trees a year. It’s something every Marylander can do to create a smarter, greener future for our families for generations to come.

The following list includes benefits of planting trees:

Conserve energy (Up to 50%) and save money
Purify the air
Soak up polluted rainwater runoff and protect our waterways
Create wildlife habitat
Increase home value by as much 30%
Replace snow damaged trees

For more information visit www.trees.maryland.gov
or contact: Scott Hymes 410-260-8746

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is inviting citizens, businesses and organizations to become sponsors of the 2010 Maryland Bay Game. Through games, trivia, puzzles and outdoor activities, this award-winning natural resources activity book has inspired kids to learn about and connect with their natural world for over a decade.

“I know this is a difficult economic time, but the Bay Game is an investment in our future,” said DNR secretary John Griffin. “It’s a fun, educational opportunity for Maryland children. The 2010 Bay Game will guide our children into becoming responsible and informed stewards.”

This publication is sought-after by tens of thousands of families, civic and community groups, scouting organizations, environmentalists and educators throughout Maryland and the region. One-quarter million print copies were distributed statewide in 2009 through public libraries, welcome centers, State Parks and public schools. An electronic version of the Bay Game is also available on the DNR website, which receives over 1.5 million unique visitors annually.

The Bay Game is written and designed by DNR staff, but printing and distribution is paid entirely by sponsors. There are several opportunities for businesses to sponsor the Bay Game through logos, website exposure, full and half-page sponsorships and more while also ensuring another summer filled with interactive and engaging outdoor activities for Maryland children. Donations are tax deductible, though sponsors should review the requirements outlined in IRS Publication 526 and consult their tax advisor.

In 2008, Governor O’Malley signed an Executive Order establishing the Maryland Partnership for Children in Nature, a program that is being used as a national model of environmental education and awareness. This coalition of state, local, private and non-profit partners is charged with promoting the well-being of young people by accelerating environmental learning and expanding opportunities for outdoor experiences. The 2010 Maryland Bay Game will reinforce this commitment to the development of Maryland children as future stewards.

For more information please visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/baygame/ or contact Jill Kubatko at 410-260-8007 or jkubatko@dnr.state.md.us.

On March 11, 2010, Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley requested $87 million in federal funding to support the State’s natural resources during his annual federal priorities presentation to the Maryland Congressional Delegation on Capitol Hill.

The Governor’s requests included more than $30 million for Bay restoration efforts, part of a Maryland plan to meet its nutrient reduction goals by 2020. The plan includes funding for habitat and water quality monitoring and assessment, Bay grass restoration, expanding operations at the Cooperative Oxford Lab, and clean marinas.

“This funding is nothing less than preventative health care for the Chesapeake Bay and our economy.” said Kim Coble, Maryland Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “It will help implement important Bay restoration actions and create jobs. This funding makes economic and environmental sense.”

Other Chesapeake Bay-related projects included in the federal priorities are:

- $10 million to implement the Anacostia Watershed Restoration Plan, a public-private partnership.

- Nearly $7.5 million to support Maryland’s vulnerable coastal communities, including funding for beach replenishment and shoreline protection along Ocean City, Assateague Island and Smith Island.

- $5 million to support Maryland’s Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Redevelopment Plan, including funding for stock assessments and habitat evaluation.

- $3.5 million in grants to the Natural Resources Police that will support boating safety education and will greatly enhance the State’s ability to enforce maritime and conservation laws – including the illegal harvest of oysters, crabs and striped bass.

The balance of the Governor’s request — approximately $16.5 million — wil go towards programs including: expanded recreational opportunities and boating access; wildlife management, invasive species eradication and hunting safety; urban, community and private landowner forestry programs; and fires assistance programs.

“During his first year in office, President Obama has made restoration of the Chesapeake Bay and protection of our environment a priority. We are very optimistic about the support of his Administration for these priorities,” added Governor O’Malley.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have released the results of the 2010 Midwinter Waterfowl Survey. Each winter, pilots and biologists from the two agencies count ducks, geese and swans along Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay shoreline and Atlantic coast. In January 2010, the survey teams observed 787,100 waterfowl, slightly lower than the number of waterfowl observed in January 2009.

“When pooled with results from other states, the Midwinter Waterfowl Survey provides a long-term measure of the distribution and population size of most waterfowl species wintering in the Atlantic Flyway,” said Larry Hindman, DNR Waterfowl Project Leader.

The number of mallards counted in this year’s survey (34,200) was significantly lower than 2009 (58,300). The black duck count (22,500) slightly declined from last winter, when 24,900 were counted.
“Extensive ice coverage of Chesapeake Bay waters, rivers and estuarine marshes led to reduced open water and lower numbers for several duck species this year,” Hindman said.

Overall, fewer diving ducks were counted (102,000) in 2010 than last winter (157,600). Most of this decline can be attributed to the lower numbers of redheads, canvasbacks, scaup and ruddy ducks observed. Extensive ice in the Chester River prevented diving duck use of this major wintering area favored by canvasbacks and scaup. Other environmental factors that influence the number of canvasbacks and other divers in the Chesapeake Bay are the conditions of the staging areas on the upper Mississippi River and Lake St. Claire in southern Ontario. Above average numbers of canvasbacks were recorded on surveys of those areas this year.

There was a slight increase in number of Canada geese counted by the survey crews. Despite a poor nesting season, wintering Canada geese (519,500) remained high and were likely bolstered by migrant geese pushed south by cold temperatures and snow north of Maryland.

The Midwinter Waterfowl Survey has been conducted annually throughout the United States since the early 1950s. The survey provides information on long-term trends in waterfowl populations and is the only source of population estimates for important species such as Atlantic brant and tundra swans.

source: MD DNR press release

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service has set the dates and locations for two rescheduled public scoping meetings to present upcoming recreational summer flounder fishing regulations. The original meetings were postponed due to the recent snow storms. These will be the best remaining opportunities for stakeholders to ask questions and register comments on the Department’s proposal for size, creel, and season limits for the 2010 season.

The first meeting will be at 6:00 p.m. Monday February 22 at the Tawes Building Room C-1, 580 Taylor Avenue in Annapolis. This flounder scoping meeting we be a part of the Sportfish Advirsory Commision meeting. The second and last public scoping meeting for summer flounder will be at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury on at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday March 2, in Guerrieri Hall room 101.

The results of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Flounder Management Board meeting on February 2 require a 23.6 percent reduction in recreational fishing pressure in Maryland due to an overage in last year’s catch. However, an apparent improvement in the total fish population allows for an increase in the allowable catch from 61,000 fish to 75,000. The problem is, Maryland anglers apparently harvested as many as 89,000 last year and must reduce their harvest to meet the 2010 target of 75,000 fish.

ASMFC did not approve of splits in minimum sizes and creel limits for coastal and Bay anglers as Maryland has used in the past because the sample sizes and available data have been inadequate for effective monitoring and assessment. Therefore, the options come down to a consistent increase in minimum size and creel limits for the coast and the Bay combined with a choice of options for the timing of the open seasons. There is some good news in this because the minimum size is increasing, DNR may be able to extend the season.

The options on the table include three fish a day of 18.5 inches or more from April 17 to September 21, or the same minimum size with a season of April 24 to September 24, or June 8 to October 16. The fourth option would raise the minimum to 19 inches and extend the season April 17 to November 22.

If you are unable to join DNR staff at one of the two scoping meetings and would like to register a comment, please send your thoughts to fisheriespubliccomments@dnr.state.md.us and include “summer Flounder” in the subject line. You may also fax your comment to Carrie Kennedy at (410) 260-8279.

source: NOAA press release

Nearly 1,000 interested citizens have taken the time to review and comment on Maryland’s Oyster Restoration and Aquaculture Development plan since Maryland announced the new proposal in December. About half of those who provided input did so at four open houses hosted by Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Fisheries Service during the month of January.

“The open houses were an integral part of our public process,” said DNR Secretary John Griffin. “Hundreds of Marylanders took the opportunity to learn about the plan, talk directly to managers, give suggestions and voice their opinions – and every single comment is being reviewed.”

Participants in the outreach sessions included watermen concerned about a change in regulations, participants in Maryland’s citizen oyster-growing program that are eager to improve the oyster population. people interested in learning more about aquaculture opportunities, and Marylanders who would like to see the sanctuary network expanded further than the plan proposes.

“While the overwhelming majority of comments have been supportive of the plan, we are reviewing all public input, and are also actively working with stakeholders from the industry, sport fishing and environmental communities. We entered the process with a willingness to consider modifications to the proposal if the changes mitigate concerns and still achieve the Department’s objectives,” said DNR Fisheries Service Director Tom O’Connell.

DNR has extended the schedule to allow adequate review of public comments, and currently plans to submit the Governor’s regulatory proposal in March. A final round of public hearings will occur in April and May. After considering all public comments, DNR will then adopt a final version of the proposed restoration and aquaculture development plan. If adopted, the regulation could be effective as soon as June 28, 2010.

As proposed, the plan will: increase Maryland’s network of oyster sanctuaries — from 9 percent to 24 percent of remaining quality habitat; increase areas open to leasing for oyster aquaculture and streamline the permitting process; and maintain 76 percent of the Bay’s remaining quality oyster habitat for a more targeted, sustainable, and scientifically managed public oyster fishery.

Since 1994, the Chesapeake Bay oyster population has languished at 1 percent of historic levels. Over the past 25 years, the amount of suitable oyster habitat has declined by 80 percent—from 200,000 acres to just 36,000 acres. Maryland’s annual oyster harvest has fallen from an average of 2.5 million bushels in the late 1960s to about 100,000 bushels a year since 2002, while the number of oystermen working Maryland’s portion of the Bay has dwindled from more than 2000 to just 550.

“Throughout this process, our goal and the goal of Governor O’Malley has been to protect jobs today while creating a more sustainable and growing future, both for oysters and our struggling industry,” said Secretary Griffin. “This is why the plan maintains significant opportunities to harvest wild oysters while also helping to stabilize and revive oyster populations, and provide a bridge for watermen interested in new aquaculture opportunities.”

To mitigate short-term economic impacts to the industry, DNR is developing watermen work programs to facilitate restoration efforts. Funding for these efforts comes from $15 million of federal blue crab fishery disaster money and state capital funds, received in response to a request from Governor O’Malley and former Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, and advocacy by the Maryland Congressional Delegation. Watermen will be assisting the Department in rehabilitating oyster bar habitat and retrieving ghost (abandoned) crab pots this winter.

Aquaculture is now the predominant means of shellfish harvesting around the world; next door in Virginia it is already a $30 million business. University of Maryland economists estimate that over the next several years, our oyster aquaculture plan could create 225 full-time equivalent jobs and generate $25 million in annual economic impact.

Public comments by email or regular mail can be submitted to:

fisheriespubliccomment@dnr.state.md.us

Fisheries Service
Attn: Oyster Open House
Tawes State Office Building
580 Taylor Ave
Annapolis, MD 21401

The full open house poster presentation is available at: http://dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/oysters/pdfs/OysterOpenHouseFINAL2a.pdf.

source: DNR press release

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has awarded Salisbury a $100,000 state Waterway Improvement Fund Grant to remove sunken barges and debris from the Wicomico River in Salisbury in an effort to help clean up the waterway and remove submerged obstacles to local boaters.

“Salisbury welcomes this generous grant from the State of Maryland in removing abandoned barges from the North Prong of the Wicomico River,” said Mayor James Ireton, Jr. “These barges pose threats to navigation on the river as well as potential sources of pollution in the river. Having dedicated our community to the health of this waterway, which will contribute to the health of the Chesapeake Bay, we stand ready to work with Governor Martin O’Malley, DNR and the Department of the Environment in this important undertaking.”

An underwater survey was recently completed by the City of Salisbury Fire Department’s Marine Division at the North Prong of the Wicomico River. During the survey, two submerged barges were found, one of which is about 150 feet long. In addition, other debris was detected including a possible submerged vehicle in the same area.

The City of Salisbury is currently in the process of completing the legal requirements and preparing a request for proposals for a contractor to remove the barges and debris from the river.

“The City of Salisbury is very excited about moving ahead with this project. Removing these barges and debris will both help to improve water quality in the area as well as eliminate hazards for the boating public,” said DNR Boating Services Director Bob Gaudette. “Once the contract is awarded, it is anticipated the project will take approximately two months to complete.”

DNR has a longstanding program to remove abandoned boats and debris that are hazardous to the environment and/or general boating public from state waterways. The program is financed by the Department’s Waterway Improvement Fund, the revenues of which come from the 5 percent vessel excise tax that is paid whenever a boat is titled in Maryland. Grants are provided to local governments who are delegated the authority by DNR to removal abandoned vessels from state waters.

Further information regarding DNR’s abandoned boat and debris removal program can be found at http://dnr.maryland.gov/mydnr/askanexpert/abandoned_boats.asp.

source: DNR press release