Formal Adoption of Fisheries Ecosystem Planning in the Chesapeake Bay

December 6, 2005

Release from:
NOAA

At its annual meeting on November 29, the Chesapeake Bay Program Executive Council formally adopted the first-of-its-kind "Fisheries Ecosystem Planning in Chesapeake Bay" (FEP) document as the framework for the Program's gradual transition from single-species fisheries management to an ecosystem-based multi-species approach for the Bay and coastal region. With leadership and coordination from the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, the FEP was developed by a panel of regional scientists and fisheries managers to broaden current management efforts and take into account the linkages between sustainable fisheries, habitat and water quality.

In the FEP Adoption Statement, the Executive Council agreed to give first priority to the development of ecosystem-based fishery management plans for oysters, striped bass, blue crabs, Atlantic menhaden, and Alosine species such as American shad.

For more information, contact Margaret.McBride@noaa.gov.