Coastal Policy & Management

The long coastlines of the Mid–Atlantic and the Chesapeake Bay offer a remarkable natural asset to the region and a foundation for a rich coastal culture. From the popular beaches of Ocean City to the quaint towns of Chesapeake backwaters to the busy port of Baltimore, this edge environment draws increasing numbers of visitors and supports unique communities that have adapted to life on the coast. Maryland has over 3 million people living on over 3,000 miles of coastline — and no doubt the Bay and its resources mean something different to each of them. For some it is where they work, harvesting seafood to sell. For others it is where they play, boating on the Bay's wide expanse. For others it is simply a place to find solitude and a connection to nature. As more people migrate to the coast, the Bay will take on even more meanings. But growing populations also mean more conflicts among user groups and more demands on fragile coastal ecosystems. Fisheries management in particular can prove difficult, as those who use the resource and those charged with protecting it struggle to find a balance. Maryland Sea Grant has assisted in this effort, especially when it comes to the blue crab, the Bay's most lucrative commercial catch.

Information is key to the promotion of coastal policies that reflect the many identities of the Chesapeake, while respecting the environmental challenges of sustaining a healthy Bay. In response to this need, Maryland Sea Grant has joined other Sea Grant programs around the country in establishing a Coastal Communities and Economies initiative to examine both the problems and the opportunities presented by coastal resources and their use. Areas of special emphasis range from land use planning to commercial fishing, boating to seafood safety. To learn more about the work of the Coastal Communities and Economies Extension Team's work in these areas, follow the links below.