Recent Wetland Status and Trends in the Chesapeake Watershed (1982 to 1989)_Technical Report
- Published:
- May 1, 1994
- Originator:
- Chesapeake Bay Program
Chesapeake Bay is the Nation's largest estuary and perhaps the best studied and arguably the most politically visible one. It is noted for its productive fisheries and shellfisheries (e.g., blue crabs and oysters), water-borne commerc, and vast recreational opportunities for boating, fishing, waterfowl hunting, and nature observation. Despite these widely recognized values, the quality of the Bay's waters has significantly deteriorated since the 1950a (Schubel, 1986). Harvest of blue crabs and oysters have declined and numbers of striped bass or rockfish have decreased to the point that rigid catch restrictions have been established for the fishery. The reason for this degradation of the Bay and decline of its living resources is complicated by many factors, but undoubtedly increasing urban development, other land-use changes (e.g., conversion of forests to cropland), and poor land management practices throughout the Watershed have significantly contributed to the problem.