Pollution In The Chesapeake Bay

Because of rapid local urbanization, pollution, and overfishing, the Chesapeake Bay's highly diverse ecosystem is being destroyed making the estuary an unsustainable environment. The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in North America, nevertheless its ecosystem is in danger due to human activity. Many toxic wastes from the nearby cities and farms drain into the Bay creating negative effects on the Chesapeake Bay's aqua life. Some examples of chemicals that have been leaked into the Chesapeake Bay are chlorine biocides, a know carcinogenic, pesticideKepone, a poison to fish and shellfish, and PAH, a chemical that causes dermal lesions in fish populations(Ambrose). These pollutants have an adverse effect on fish populations in the bay further …show more content…
They are addressing the pollution issue by issuing a "Pollution Diet". The Pollution Diet limits the nutrients and sediments that enter the Bay. They have reduced the nitrogen pollution by 8%, phosphorus pollution by 20%, and sediment pollution by 7% between the years 2009 and 2015(@chesbayprogram). They are also working on restoring the wetlands and migratory pathways of marine animals in the Bay and the rivers that flow into the Bay. Between 2010 and 2014, 6,191 acres of wetlands were established, rehabilitated or reestablished on agricultural lands in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The program adopted a goal to restore 1,356.75 miles of fish passage by 2003. By 2003, they had restored 1,436.5 miles of fish passage, surpassing their 1993 goal(@chesbayprogram). By working with locals they were able to produce a plan to help rebuild important fisheries. Only 15% of the female blue crab population was harvested in 2015 which was below their target percentage of 25.5% (@chesbayprogram). Likewise, 194 million adult male crabs were counted at the beginning of the 2016 crabbing season which was above the threshold for repopulating suggesting that the crabs were not being overfished(@chesbayprogram). By setting goals and collaborating with the locals, the Chesapeake Bay Program's efforts have started to show positive