Essex man killed in Cecil County boat explosion

ESSEX, MD—Maryland Natural Resources Police are investigating after an Essex man was killed in a weekend boat explosion in Cecil County. Authorities say Michael Steinmetz, 69, died in Saturday night’s explosion on the Bohemia River. A good Samaritan tried to save Steinmetz but he was pronounced dead at the scene, according to MyEasternShoreMD.com. The Cecilton Volunteer Fire Company reports that […]

Governor Hogan announces $18.8 million for Chesapeake Bay restoration projects

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources this week announced the award of $18.8 million to 22 ecological restoration projects that will improve water quality and habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, while building local resilience to climate impacts. These awards encompass 77 unique sites that will be restored using best management practices, including riparian buffer […]

Chesapeake Bay Foundation encouraged by changes to protect declining Chesapeake blue crab population, issues statement on dead zone forecast

BALTIMORE, MD—In response to the lowest abundance of crabs ever counted in the 33-year history of the Chesapeake Bay’s winter blue crab dredge survey, fishery managers at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Virginia Marine Resources Commission this week adopted new regulations designed to reduce the crab harvest. The regulations aim to help the overall Chesapeake crab population rebound. […]

Governor Hogan to lead economic development mission to France, Ireland

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan will lead an economic development mission to Western Europe from June 18-26 that will include diplomatic engagements and economic announcements in Paris, France and Dublin, Ireland. “Maryland is open for business, and our economic recovery continues to be one of the very best in America,” said Governor Hogan. “This mission will be focused on expanding partnerships […]

Baltimore County to receive over $260,000 in Maryland Waterway Improvement Fund grants

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is providing $13.5 million in Waterway Improvement Fund grants to enhance and improve public boating access, facilities, and navigation throughout the state. This funding is awarded to 45 applicants statewide, supporting efforts that include new public boating access, amenities, and facilities; dredging of navigable waterways; emergency vessels and equipment for local first responders; […]

Essex angler breaks 44-year-old state fishing record

ESSEX, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has confirmed that Logan Kurhmann of Essex is the new state record holder for common carp (Cyprinus carpio carpio) in the state’s Chesapeake Division. Kurhmann, 24, caught the 49-pound carp June 4 while bass fishing in the Susquehanna Flats area of the Chesapeake Bay. Kuhrmann was using a spinning tackle with a plastic […]

2022 Baywide Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey shows lowest abundance observed since 1990

BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has announced the results of the 2022 Baywide Blue Crab Winter Dredge Survey, a cooperative effort with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), which annually estimates the number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay. The total abundance of blue crab in the Chesapeake Bay in 2022 was 227 million crabs, the […]