Fisheries Service Programs

Blue Crab Program

As a well known symbol of the Chesapeake region the blue crab is important to Maryland both as a natural resource and tourism icon. In addition to supporting a major commercial fishery, the blue crab is a valuable recreational species as well. For all of these reasons MD DNR and partner organization VA Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) monitors the blue crab population in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries using surveys such as the Winter Dredge and the Summer Trawl surveys. With the information from these surveys crab stocks can be managed and protected for future generations.

Coastal Fisheries Program

Maryland's coast hosts many different fish communities. In Maryland's Atlantic waters and federal waters off Maryland's coast, migratory species such as black sea bass, spiny dogfish, and summer flounder can be found. Maryland's Coastal Bays are nursery areas for species such as summer flounder, black sea bass, weakfish, American eel, and bluefish. Species such as sea robins, puffers, lizardfish, stingrays and other coastal species are often encountered in the Coastal Bays. As a result of this diversity, Maryland's coast offers recreational and commercial fishermen opportunities to harvest many different species.

Cooperative Oxford Laboratory

The Oxford Laboratory was established in 1960 by the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries for the primary purpose of investigating oyster diseases that struck Chesapeake and Delaware Bays in the late 1950s. It became the Cooperative Oxford Laboratory in 1987, through an agreement between Maryland DNR and the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service to share the facility and to cooperate in research. In 1998, the newly renovated and expanded facility was dedicated to Senator Paul S. Sarbanes, a friend and mentor to the lab throughout his service in the U.S. Senate. Scientists at the Oxford Laboratory investigate health problems of fish, shellfish and other aquatic life in the Chesapeake Bay and along the Atlantic Coast. They also collaborate with scientists nationally and internationally to improve understanding of aquatic animal health and develop management strategies to prevent and mitigate diseases. The Laboratory participates in the National Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Stranding Network, investigating strandings of these rare and endangered animals in Maryland, and sharing information, samples and expertise with other institutions and coastal states. New techniques for classifying and mapping critical reef habitats in Chesapeake Bay have been developed recently at the Laboratory. These methods are now being applied in Maryland's oyster restoration efforts.

Fisheries Habitat and Ecosystems

The Fisheries Habitat and Ecosystem Program (FHEP) is working to understand how habitat changes impact Maryland's fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay. Our focus has been primarily on understanding how urbanization limits habitat for fish.

Maryland's population and developed land use has increased significantly. The amount of land being developed outpaces population growth. Between 1973 and 2010, developed land increased by 154 percent while population grew by only 39 percent. By 2035, 1,000,000 new residents and 500,000 new homes will be added to Maryland according to the Department of Planning.

Go to the Fisheries Habitat and Ecosystem Program's web site to read about the latest findings along with what can be done to offset the impact of land development on our fisheries habitat.

Fish Passage Program

In 1987, the first Chesapeake Bay Agreement was signed by states within the watershed, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia. This landmark agreement included commitments by each state, "to provide for fish passage at dams, and remove stream blockages wherever necessary to restore passage for migratory fish." Since that time, Maryland has partnered with numerous federal, state and local government agencies, non-profit groups, businesses, landowners, and concerned citizens to re-open over 400 miles of stream in Maryland. As a collective group, the Bay States have exceeded a 10-year goal to reopen over 1,357 miles of stream by 2003. By the end of 2004, the States had reopened over 1,570 miles of stream and are now working on completing a new 10-year goal, which calls for 100 fish passage and dam removal projects to be completed and 1,000 miles of tributary habitat re-opened to migratory and resident fish.

Hatchery Programs

The Hatcheries and Finfish Restoration Program operates under the Restoration and Enhancement Program in Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service (DNR). The Hatcheries and Finfish Restoration Program is responsible for cold water hatchery production, warm water hatchery production, aquaculture permitting, private pond stocking, fish stock enhancement, fish passage and restoration of anadromous species in the Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland Artificial Reef Initiative (MARI)

MARI includes over 60 private, state, and federal partners, and acts as a funding mechanism (using private and corporate donations) for reef development in Maryland. It is a volunteer organization dedicated to preserving, restoring and creating fish habitat in tidewater Maryland. Funding for MARI comes from the Coastal Conservation Association, Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the coalition of donors and partners.

Shellfish Program

Welcome to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Shellfish Program. We are striving to establish an expanded and sustainable population of native oysters in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and to re-establish an oyster industry that re-emerges as a major economic contributor in the Bay region.

Tidal Black Bass Program

The mission of the Tidal Bass Survey team is to monitor and protect tidal populations of black bass and enhance its fishery for the State of Maryland. The team began collecting data on the distribution of largemouth bass in 1999, initial efforts started on some of the most fishery-targeted streams of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, including the Potomac River and the Choptank River. Since then, the team has refined and expanded their surveys to the Patuxent River, the Upper Bay region, the Chester River, the Nanticoke River, and the Wicomico River.