Agreement Commitment Report_Living Resources Monitoring Plan 1988
- Published:
- July 1, 1988
- Originator:
- Chesapeake Bay Program
In working toward the goal of restoring the abundance and diversity of living resources in the Bay, monitoring is essential. Many of the actions necessary to improve the quality of Bay habitats have been ideentified and are being implemented. regional fisheries management plans, now under development, have the potential for preventing overharvest of commerical and recreational species. But plans for improving water quality, habitats, and management of resources will always be based on the best possible records of resource abundance, distribution, diversity, and reproduction. This requirement can be met by a wello-designed living resources monitoring program. In addition to tracking living resource trends, monitoring will gradually improve outknowledge of Chesapeake Bay species, their natural cycles, their habitat needs, and how they respond to human activities. To meet these goals, a living resources monitoring program must be integrated with biological research, water quality monitoring, ecological modeling, fisheries management, and stock assessment. Cooperation and coordination among agencies, programs, jurisdiction, and disciplines are essential.