Publications

Responses were received from all of the reserachers involved in laboratory or field studies listed in Appendix I. Responses are summarized in Table I, and full responses are included in the accompanying spreadsheet. Our summary below focuses primarily on data generated studies. Modeling is critical to the EIS process, but is dependent on data used to construct and parameterize them. The code and structure of models has been completed in some cases, and these tools can be used and validated once the data from complementary studies becomes available. In synthesizing responses to the research survey, we relied solely on the responses of participating researchers. We did not alter the responses of researchers except in a few cases, to improve the match between the research priority and the research study described by assigning the response to a different research priority.

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this report presents information on the spatial and temporal distribution, and relative abundance of 61 fish and invertebrate species in 22 estuaries along the U.S. Atlantic coast from Virginia to Massachusetts. Its purpose is to disseminate data developed in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Estuarine Living Marine Resources (ELMR) program (inside front cover). The ELMR program is conducted by the Biogeographic Characterization Branch of the Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA) Division, in cooperation with regional research institutions (Figure 1). The presence, distribution, and relative abundance of each species and the time period it utilizes eeach estuary are the primary data compiled. The data and framework presented in this report are illustrative of the nationwide ELMR program.

A comprehensive approach to managing Chesapeake Bay fisheries is needed because biological, physical, economic, and social aspects of the fisheries are shared among the Bay's jurisdictions. The Chesapeake Bay Progran's Living Resources Subcommittee formed a Fisheries Management Workgroup to address the commitment in the Bay Agreement forcomprehensive, Bay-widefishery management plans. The workgroup is composed of members from government agencies, the academic community, the fishing industry, and public interest groups representing Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and the federal government.

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this document contains the first report of achievements under the Stock Assessment Plan. A summary of Chesapeake Bay stock status is also included in this report. More detailed information on Bay fisheries will be available in the 1989 Chesapeake Bay Status of Stocks and Fisheries Statistics report, available in July 1990. extended abstracts of each of the completed FY 87 and 88 projects funded through CBSAC are presented as well.

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The term "submerged aquatic vegetation" for the purpose of this report encompasses 19 taxa from 10 vascular macrophyte families and 3 taxa from 1 freshwater macrophytic algal family, the Characeae, but excludes all other algae, both benthic and planktonic, which occur in the Chesapeake Bay and itstriutaries (Appendix A). although these other algae do constitute a portion of the SAV biomass in the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries (Humm, 1979), this study has not aattempted to identify, delineate, or discuss the algal component of the begetation nor its relative importance in the flora, except for the Characeae. This is the case, for example, with the benthic marine algae, including many macrophytes, which sometimes co-occur in the same beds as vascular paltns, even as epiphytes on vascular plants.

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Each year the fishery management plans adopted by the Chesapeake Bay's Executive Committee are reviewed and updated. The annual review provides a format for incorporating new information, evaluating progress toward achieving objectives, and updating management strategies. The fishery management process began under the 1987 Chesapeake Bay Agreement when commercially, recreationally, and ecologically valuable finfish and shellfish species were selected for the development of baywide fishery management plans (FMPs). The species selected for plan development and their adoption scheduled is provided in Table 1. The following report reviews athe progress of adopted management plans during 1992 except for striped bass. The progress report, for striped bass is under separate cover in order to include the entire commercial fishing season.

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The purpose of this Plan is to guide the development and implementation of a regional program to rebuild and restore reefs as habitat for oysters and other ecologically valuable aquatic species. The main objective of this of this initiative is to create three-dimensional reef structures in selected areas that will incerase the quantity of oysters and establish a diverse commuity of ecologically important species. Increasing the Baywide stocks of oysters was the goal of the 1989 Chesapeake Bay Oyster Management Plan, which recommends restoration of natural oyster bars and creation of sanctuaries. The process for implementation of the Plan is for each jurisdiction to evaluate existing reef sites; designate about 5,000 acreas in each of Maryland and Virginia, and 1,000 acreas in the Potomac, for oyster reef construction over five years, conduct a pilot test of substrate materials, placement densities, and saloinity regimes; conduct reserach and monitoring to guide expansion into additional areas and sites.

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The Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass Fishery was conducted during several periods in different locations from September 1990 through February 1991. Systems were put in place to allocate the catch among different user groups, to monitor the catch, and to enforce fishery regulations. The large turnout of fishermen necessitated an early closure of some of the individual state fisheries. However, the monitoring and regulatory system in place worked successfully and kept the catch within target levels designed to allow the striped bass population to continue growing.

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This compilation of case studies is a significant indication of the range of important environment activites occurring with the nearly 2,000 communities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Local governments and community organization have been and will continue to be an essential part of Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts. The intent of this publication is to share the knowledge and expertise gained through specific projects among communitieswho will appropriate these strategies into their own development plans for environmentally-sensitive areas.

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