USCG Rescues Mariner from Vessel Run Aground in Chesapeake Bay

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A mariner was lifted from a vessel that ran aground Thursday evening near Smith Point, Virginia in the Chesapeake Bay. U.S. Coast Guard watchstanders learned that the 30-foot sailing vessel Orion was stuck in shallow water – however the local Coast Guard crew was not able to assist. A helicopter crew arrived and safely hoisted…

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Maryland Seeks Federal Assistance for Invasive Species That Threaten Chesapeake Bay’s Commercial Fishing Industry

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Maryland Governor Wes Moore is calling on the federal government to declare the expanding population of invasive fish species to be an ongoing commercial fishery disaster in the Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay. The governor sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo requesting the declaration under provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation…

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Md. State Police Helicopter Rescues Mariner In Distress

MSP helicopter rescues a mariner in medical distress on Chesapeake Bay (photo courtesy of US Coast Guard)
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A Maryland State Police helicopter crew rescued a crew member in medical distress from a tanker in Chesapeake Bay near Kent Island this week. U.S. Coast Guard-Sector Maryland requested the helicopter Wednesday morning. MSP Aviation Command Trooper 6 is based at the Easton Airport. The helicopter crew located the 462-foot Liberian-flagged tanker the Chem Jupiter,…

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Thousands Turn Out For 50th Waterfowl Festival In Talbot Co.

Governor Larry Hogan examines some of the artwork at the 50th Waterfowl Festival in Easton Sunday (photo courtesy of Governor Larry Hogan's office)
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Big crowds came out Sunday for the 50th Waterfowl Festival in Easton, a showcase of wildlife art which also included a sportsman’s expo. A nonprofit organization presents the annual festival as it continues to advocate for protecting the wildlife and habitat of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Games and contests for kids included the kids’ fly fishing…

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Md. Suspends Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass Season Until July 31st

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The Chesapeake Bay summer striped bass season is suspended for two weeks. Maryland Natural Resources implemented new regulations this year that prohibit anglers from targeting striped bass, including catch-and-release and charter boats in Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries between now and July 31st. Surveys have indicated population declines of striped bass, and conservation measures…

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US Army Corps of Engineers Receives Additional Funding for Multiple Projects Including OC Beach Renourishment

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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, received an additional $56.02 million boost for fiscal 2021, including funds for oyster restoration, beach renourishment in Ocean City, the dredging and south jetty rehabilitation of Fishing Creek in Calvert County, completion of engineering and design work to restore James and Barren islands, and more. This funding…

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VIDEO: WGMD News Week in Review 5/25/2019

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81Zx8M5FUro&feature=youtu.be WATCH: The Chesapeake Bay’s Health Report Card is released, Troopers investigate the murder of a 17-year-old, plus it’s Memorial Day weekend and Delmarva is ready! Join WGMD’s Hunter Landon for a look back at this week’s big stories!  

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Chesapeake Bay Report Card Shows Resilience, Despite High Precipitation

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The 2018 Chesapeake Bay report card is out, issued by the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. It shows the Bay has maintained a C grade. The report says the Bay shows an overall trend of improvement but remained the same grade due to extremely high precipitation levels over the past year. Researchers say…

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Study Finds Maryland Blue Crab Population Up 60 Percent

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The State of Maryland has shared encouraging news for the seafood industry. The 2019 Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey has found a substantial 60 percent increase in the Chesapeake Bay-wide blue crab population. The rise in adult abundance of blue crabs was reported higher than anticipated, following a poor showing for juveniles in 2017 and…

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UPDATED: 2 Victims Recovered After Helicopter Crash South of Kent Island

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UPDATED – 5/5/19  9am – The bodies of two victims who were in a helicopter that crashed south of Kent Island in the Chesapeake Bay Saturday afternoon have been recovered. Maryland Natural Resources Police say the wreckage was found around 6pm in about 55 feet of water.  The victims are identified as the pilot –…

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Virginia Seafood Business Owner Takes Plea Deal Over Fraud Scheme

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Casey’s Seafood, which did business in and around the Chesapeake Bay has taken a plea deal for a crabbing fraud scheme. The Virginia seafood business owner made millions of dollars selling crab meat, alleging it was from the Chesapeake Bay, when in actuality in was caught off the waters of China, Indonesia and Vietnam. The…

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Maryland General Assembly Bill Targets Oyster Population

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A proposed bill in the Maryland General Assembly is aiming to help the oyster population in the Chesapeake Bay. Speaker of the House Michael Busch, a Democrat of Anne Arundel County is pushing for the legislation, which would convert five waterways that feed into the Chesapeake Bay into permanent oyster sanctuaries. Area waterman have voiced…

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Burst Pipe Leaves Tangier Island Without Water

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Tangier Island residents are without water after a water main break on the remote Chesapeake Bay island. The small island of just under 500 people lost access to water on Sunday, January 20 following a burst pipe. Officials say temporary repairs are not possible, therefore islanders must await a permanent solution which could be lengthy.…

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Abandoned Crab Pots Pose Threat to Fish

Researchers at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science are surveying area waterman about abandoned crab pots and their impact on bay life. So-called “ghost pots” in the Chesapeake Bay are reported to impact and even kill fish, birds and turtles. The Institute says the latest estimates are that nearly 150,000 pots are abandoned in the…

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