How’s the health of the Chesapeake Bay on Earth Day?

 

Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis, Maryland

The Chesapeake Bay has the distinction of being the largest estuary in the United States.  An “estuary” is a partially enclosed body of partially fresh and saltwater with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it. It also flows freely to the open sea.

The Chesapeake Bay is part of Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. The health of the Chesapeake Bay is important for a host of reasons ranging from agricultural to recreational and tourism. “Its 64,000-square-mile watershed encompasses one of the most economically significant regions of the United States,” according to NOAA.

Consequently, taking care of the Bay is a major responsibility. Two of the largest sources of pollution result from agricultural runoff into streams and rivers that flow into the Bay, containing farming chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides, as well as animal waste.

The Chesapeake Bay watershed extends as far west as West Virginia and as far north as central New York. It includes major rivers such as the Susquehanna and Potomac that flow into it. Runoff from heavy rain can carry potential pollutants and sediments into the Bay. Pollution also results from litter from mariners and beachgoers.

The Chesapeake Bay’s blue crabs are recognized as one of the signature species of the Bay. Unfortunately, pollution and habitat loss combined with overfishing have impacted the Bay’s blue crab population. 

Fortunately, conservation efforts have made a difference in the blue crab population in the Chesapeake Bay.  A 2024 press release from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation cited data from a joint study by the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and Maryland Department of Natural Resources that said: “The 2024 survey estimated total crab abundance at 317 million blue crabs. This is a slight reduction from the last year’s survey, which estimated the population at 323 million blue crabs. This year’s numbers were still above the 2022 record low estimate of 227 million crabs.”

There are some tangible results for conservation efforts and pollution controls. When the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science released its 2024 report card last summer, the Chesapeake Bay earned a C+ rating for its highest grade since 2002. This was based on data obtained in a partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Chesapeake Bay Program, academic institutions, and jurisdictions throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

An ongoing blue crab assessment is being conducted as of this writing and the results are expected to be available in the spring of 2026, according to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. In the meantime, it’s vital for conservation efforts across the Chesapeake Bay watershed to continue to promote a healthy Chesapeake Bay.