Maryland Fisheries Scientist Wins Award of Excellence
Courtesy of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation/cbf.org.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) congratulates Bill Goldsborough on winning an award of excellence in the area of policy and management at the spring 2013 meeting of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission on May 21 in Alexandria, Virginia.
Throughout his three decades as a senior scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Goldsborough has been a steadfast advocate for science-based conservation and a central figure in forging agreements between diverse interests in Chesapeake and Atlantic Coast fisheries management. Most recently, he took a leading role in the campaign to establish a more conservative management framework for menhaden in recognition of their important role as a prey species for striped bass and many other marine resources. Click here to read the Commission’s press release.
New Germany State Park to Host Youth Fishing Rodeo
Who: Children 15 and under
When: Saturday, May 18, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: New Germany State Park, 349 Headquarters Lane, Grantsville
Cost: Free
Contact: 301-895-5453 or lmongrain@dnr.state.md.us
Young anglers of all skill levels are invited to enjoy a morning of fun and fishing at New Germany State Park’s annual Youth Fishing Rodeo. Read more 
Change Coming to Maryland’s Commercial Striped Bass Fishery
DNR Sets a May 10 Striped Bass Commercial Control Date for Quota Allocation
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service is making a significant management change to the commercial Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass fishery. DNR is working to meet fishing industry goals, create a more sustainable system, increase accountability and make it easier for police to enforce the law. The system will also comply with new Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission requirements. These changes are the result of extensive meetings with the Tidal Fisheries Advisory Commission’s Striped Bass Industry Workgroup over the past 18 months. Read more
Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay Spring Striped Bass Season to Open
Photo from Shawn Kimbro
With the spring season opener kicking off tomorrow, Maryland’s iconic striped bass, better known as rockfish, has area anglers preparing to get out on the water in hopes of reeling in a big one. Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay spring Striped Bass season opens at 5 a.m. on Saturday, April 20 with a one fish per person per day limit and a minimum size of 28 inches through May 15. Read more
DNR Releases 2013 Chesapeake Bay Blue Crab Numbers
Spawning-age females increased substantially, but low reproduction means fewer crabs
Photo by Kim Cover
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources today released the 2013 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey numbers, showing mixed results. The number of spawning-age females increased substantially this year – by 52 percent − indicating that the current management framework to protect adult female crabs is working. However, poor reproduction in 2013 and what appears to be high mortality within the record 2012 year-class resulted in an overall decline in the Bay-wide population. Read more
Marylanders Invited to Join Oyster Growing Program
Application Deadline May 15
Chesapeake Montessori School students help plant baby oysters through the Marylanders Grow Oysters Program
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is looking for communities to help raise baby oysters for the 2013 season through the Marylanders Grow Oysters program. Now in its sixth year, the program has become a huge success thanks to enthusiastic citizens who have helped support the effort. Read more
Citizens Asked to Report Stranded Marine Animals
Loggerhead Sea Turlte
Boaters and beachgoers are reminded to keep their eyes open for sea turtles and marine mammals while enjoying the outdoors this spring. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources asks anyone who sees a dead, visibly injured, entangled or stranded sea animal to call 1-800-628-9944 immediately. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Read more
Governor O’Malley Announces Improving Oyster Population and Reproduction
Survival Rate Highest Since 1985
DNR biologists surveying oysters
Governor Martin O’Malley today announced good news regarding the State’s ongoing efforts to restore the Chesapeake Bay’s native oyster population. Results of Maryland’s 2012 Fall Oyster Survey show that oyster population and reproduction increased for the second consecutive year, and diseases, which decimated the oyster population in 2002, remained far below their long-term averages. Read more
Natural Resources Court Program Expands
Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties set monthly dates for violations
An NRP Officer checking for undersized crabs
A Maryland program that sets aside certain days to hear only natural resource cases has expanded to Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. The program ensures that natural resource related violations are tried under the same precedent, so that judgments are just and equal. Read more
DNR and MPT Celebrate 25 Years of Outdoors Maryland
DNR Secretary Names Executive Producer Ambassador of the Chesapeake
DNR Secretary John Griffin (L) Presenting English with the Ambassador of the Chesapeake Award
Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Secretary John Griffin presented Outdoors Maryland Executive Producer Mike English with the Ambassador of the Chesapeake award at the series’ 25th anniversary celebration on March 20. English was honored for his outstanding work in capturing Maryland’s breathtaking beauty and vibrant ecosystems, and sharing the stories of the people who explore and protect them. Read more
