Seagrasses

Coastal Bays Seagrasses Up Slightly in 2008

Still far short of goal

June 4, 2009  — Underwater seagrass abundance in Maryland and Virginia's coastal bays increased by 17 percent last year, from 9,319 acres in 2007 to 10,916 acres in 2008. While this increase may be a sign that the 3 year downward trend may have halted, it is still one of the lowest acreages seen in over a decade. This year’s 1,597 acre increase was driven by the expansion of grasses in Chincoteague Bay.

A goal of 18,844 acres was developed for the Maryland portion of the bays based on suitable bottom type and water depth.  Overall goal attainment was 38% (a three year average of the years 2006 to 2008). Sinepuxent Bay (62%) attained the most of this goal at 62%, while Newport Bay (9.4%) and St. Martin River (<2%) attained the least. Other bays also had low goal attainment (Isle of Wight 24%, Assawoman 28%, and Maryland's portion of Chincoteague 35%).

• Map of 2008 distribution

• Seagrass Acreage (1986 - 2008)

• Seagrass Acreage by Embayment (1986 - 2008)

• Press Release:  Coastal Bays Seagrasses Up Slightly in 2008: Still far short of goal.

Read more about water quality actions DNR is implementing through the Maryland Coastal Bay Program.

You can get more information on Maryland’s Bay Grass Restoration efforts at: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/bay/sav/index.asp

Seagrass acreage is estimated through an aerial survey, which is flown from late spring to early fall. Additional information about the aerial survey and survey results is available at www.vims.edu/bio/sav/.

Maryland waters are home to approximately 20 species of bay grasses, 2 of which (eelgrass and widgeon grass Zostera marina and Ruppia maritima) are true seagrasses that grow in higher salinity waters, including Maryland’s coastal bays. Seagrasses are very important because they provide essential food and shelter for many of coastal bays fish and shellfish including flounder and bay scallops. Seagrasses help remove nutrients from the water as well as trap sediments that cloud the bays. 

Following a massive decline in the 1930's that resulted from an eelgrass "wasting disease," the Coastal Bay's grasses have undergone a steady increase since the 1980's.  As these grass beds expand, so too will the benefits they provide, including improved water clarity, improved fishing opportunities, and utilization as a food source for migratory waterfowl that over-winter in these bays. A composite map of seagrass distribution (2001-2003) shows the general locations seagrass beds have occurred in the bays. However, degrading water quality and severe annual brown tide blooms continue to put the seagrass recovery at risk as determined by recent study by the National Park Service and DNR. 

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