Environmentalist and Watermen see expansion of Chesapeake Bay Wetlands
DELMARVA – Environmentalists are seeing improvements in expansion of the wetlands surrounding the Chesapeake Bay. Wetlands provide many benefits to the watershed and wildlife that inhabit the Chesapeake Bay.
These wetlands are crucial to the quality of the water and the number of fish and crabs that commercial fishermen depend on. And now, a recent watershed agreement between watermen and environmentalists is showing its success.
Jeff Harrison is a waterman himself, but also the President of Talbot Watermen Association. “The most important thing is filtering the water so that the water is clean by filtering any toxins and things out of the bay,” he said.
An expansion of thousands of acres of Chesapeake Bay wetlands is benefiting the overall quality of life for the watershed. Chair of the Wetlands Work Group for the Chesapeake Bay Program, Pamela Mason, works closely with Chesapeake Bay watershed efforts.
“We are reporting a net gain in wetlands of close to 6,000 acres. It is a little less than that,” said Mason.
It’s new ground that will help with water filtration and provide homes for wildlife and natural barriers for flooding.
“They may be either created out of other habitats, or they may be what were formerly called wetlands that were filled or drained,” said Mason. “And when we return a wetland, it is considered restored.”
Over time, continuous watershed restoration efforts will help to improve the overall health rating of the bay. Scientists say it still needs improvement, despite the positive outlook.
“Last year, the overall water quality of the Chesapeake Bay was about 28.1% considered to have obtained healthy standards,” said Rachel Felver of the Chesapeake Bay Program.
Without enough wetlands, fish and crabs are put at risk because the juveniles are out in the open water with no where to hide.
“They use the marsh area for foraging for food, they use the marsh area to hide from predators,” said Mason. “They use the marsh area as nurseries for the juveniles, and the larva stages of those fisheries.”
The health of the bay is also important to commercial fisherman, who make a living off the water. Harrison says he is in full agreement with environmentalists on Chesapeake Bay wetlands preservation.
“It’s great that they understand the importance,” said Harrison. “They are trying to enhance these marshes where people came in the past and built wherever they wanted to.”
While the expansion of wetlands have helped the stripped bass and blue crab populations, it’s also allowing the oyster industry to rebound from a decline in previous years.
The Chesapeake Bay program’s official bay health data is expected for be released during the week of January 22nd, 2024.
