Chesapeake Bay Program - A Watershed Partnership

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Bay Health

Despite small successes in certain parts of the ecosystem and specific geographic areas, the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay did not improve in 2008. The Bay continues to have poor water quality, degraded habitats and low populations of many species of fish and shellfish. Based on these three areas, the overall health averaged 38 percent, with 100 percent representing a fully restored ecosystem.

Water Quality: In 2008, water quality was again very poor, meeting only 21 percent of the goals, the same as 2007.
Habitats and Lower Food Web: Overall, the vital habitats and lower food web that support life in the Chesapeake Bay continued to be in bad shape in 2008, meeting 45 percent of the goals, the same as 2007.
Fish and Shellfish: Most fish and shellfish populations in the Bay remain far below desired levels. Overall, 48 percent of the goals have been met for fish and shellfish, a 2 percent decrease from 2007.

Assessments

Annual Multi-year

Importance

The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most extraordinary places in America. The unique estuary and its vast watershed have tremendous ecological, historic, cultural, economic and recreational value to the region and the entire country.

Goal

The Bay’s health is measured with 13 indicators grouped in three areas that represent major components of the Bay ecosystem: Water Quality, Habitats & Lower Food Web, and Fish & Shellfish. Quantitative restoration goals have been set for most of these indicators. When all of the goals for these areas are reached, it should mean a restored Bay.

Trends

Long-term trend

N/A -- data for all component indicators have only been collected for three years.

Short-term trend (10-year trend)

N/A -- data for all component indicators has only been collected for three years:

2006: 37.4 percent
2007: 39.3 percent
2008: 38.2 percent

Change from previous year (2007-2008)

The Bay Health Index score decreased from 39.3 percent to 38.2 percent of goal achieved.

Additional Information

The most up-to-date monitoring data gathered by Bay Program partners are used to provide a scientifically based assessment of the health of the Bay.

Percent achievement values for each Top Level Index were averaged to create the overarching index score.

Contact

Nita Sylvester at (800) 968-7229 ext. 711

Source of Data

Chesapeake Bay Program Office