NCBO Biennial Report to Congress 2015-16

The NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office’s Biennial Report to Congress, highlighting work accomplished by NCBO in fiscal years 2015 and 2016, was recently sent to Capitol Hill.

The Report provides an overview of NCBO efforts in restoring oysters, advancing fisheries science, delivering observations about the Bay via the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System, collaborating on and funding environmental literacy, supporting climate resiliency, and championing the Choptank Habitat Focus Area.

NCBO Biennial Report to Congress 2015-2016 Highlights:

Restoring oyster reefs with partners in Virginia and Maryland, including completion of the in-water construction phase of the 350-acre Harris Creek restoration project in September 2015.

Quantifying the effects restored oyster reefs have through the Oyster Reef Ecosystem Services project, through NCBO field work and NCBO-funded research by academic institutions.

Advancing collaboration through the Bay-wide Oyster Summit, with participation by more than 100 industry, restoration experts, and scientists, focused on addressing barriers to recovering oyster populations in the Bay across the wild fishery, restoration, and aquaculture.

Helping to better understand marine animals through acoustic telemetry, including having receivers deployed on all 10 buoys in the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System.

Establishing a new NOAA Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System location at the mouth of the York River, filling a data gap on the Western Shore.

Putting cutting-edge science in the hands of educators through the work of the NOAA Environmental Science Training Center, so that they explore complex environmental topics with students.

Providing financial and other support for meaningful watershed educational experiences that will reach 50,000 students and 3,700 teachers through the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program.

Collaborating with area scientists and local residents to support science, restoration, and community engagement in the Choptank Habitat Focus Area.

source: NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office