Stay up to date with DFA!

• Complaint Submitted to U.S. District Court of MD March 18, 2024
• Striped Bass restrictions from ASMFC sees local push back, as MDNR works to give some relief for watermen March 18, 2024
• Delmarva Watermen File Lawsuit Challenging New Rockfish Regulations March 18, 2024
• DFA and MCBA File Lawsuit in U.S. District Court of MD Regarding Recent Striped Bass Mandate March 18, 2024
• Md. to restart water quality permitting process for Conowingo Dam June 16, 2023
• PUBLIC NOTICE – EFFECTIVE MAY 16 2023 May 15, 2023
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Delmarva Fisheries Association react to Moore Administration request for Chesapeake Bay Federal Disaster Designation May 1, 2023
• Not so fast on on Federal Disaster Declaration for the Chesapeake Bay May 1, 2023
• Governor Moore Requests Disaster Aid for Invasive Blue Catfish March 21, 2023
• Gov. Moore requesting federal assistance in protecting the Chesapeake Bay from invasive fish species March 20, 2023
• Governor Moore Requests Federal Fishery Disaster Declaration for Invasive Blue Catfish March 20, 2023
• Maryland oyster restoration project clears hurdles March 2, 2023
• Governor Moore Expresses Plans to Work with Watermen Community February 28, 2023
• Gov.-elect Wes Moore’s Chesapeake Bay cleanup plan has some notable omissions; Grade for Moore’s Chesapeake Bay plan would be ‘incomplete’ January 16, 2023
• VISA PROGRAM TO AID STATE CRAB INDUSTRY November 11, 2022
• Mid-Chesapeake Bay Island Ecosystem Restoration Project November 11, 2022
• East Coast crab processors welcome new visas for foreign workers but say they need ‘long-term solution to survive’ October 21, 2022
• Asphalt-tainted oyster reefs in Virginia to be removed October 5, 2022
• Time For Fairness and Justice on Cleaning Up the Chesapeake Bay By Captain Robert Newberry September 26, 2022
• Oyster shells sell for top dollar as biologists scramble to protect shellfish beds August 25, 2022
• Blue Crab Life Stages Complicate Predicting Population Swings July 28, 2022
• DNR – Clarifications to Culling Requirements July 20, 2022
• The news from the Chesapeake Bay … is very bad July 12, 2022
• New Maryland crab regulations are in place to maintain crab abundance in the bay July 6, 2022
• DNR Public Notice – 2022-2023 Commercial Oyster Rules July 5, 2022
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation ordered to stop artificial reef work July 5, 2022
• STATE RESTRICTS CRABBING AMID SPECIES DECLINE July 5, 2022
• DNR Public Notice – Commercial Mature Male Hard Crab Catch Limits June 29, 2022
• DNR Public Notice – Chesapeake Bay Recreational Hard Crab Catch and Possession Limits June 29, 2022
• DNR Public Notice – Commercial Mature Female Hard Crab Catch Limits June 29, 2022
• Get Together Thursday June 30th June 18, 2022
• Department of the Environment, Baltimore City leadership reach agreement on corrections to Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant June 15, 2022
• Indigenous peoples have shucked billions of oysters sustainably June 14, 2022
• Oyster Advisory Commission Meeting June 7, 2022
• Issues Presented with Ever Forward June 5, 2022
• Letter to MDE and DNR re Ever Forward Impact Assessment May 31, 2022
• Blue crab woes show how government officials are falling short on Chesapeake Bay cleanup | READER COMMENTARY May 31, 2022
• Portions of St. Mary’s County waterway reclassified as restricted from shellfish harvesting May 31, 2022
• Letter to Editor: Chesapeake Bay Issues Need Less Talk and More Action May 26, 2022
• Delmarva Fisheries Association push back against MDNR report of decreasing crab population in Chesapeake Bay May 25, 2022
• Blessing of the Fleet kicks-off Rockfish season May 16, 2022
• Connecting Everforward’s Investigation and Baltimore’s Belvedere History by Dennis Forney May 16, 2022
• Leaders in the oyster industry see successful season May 11, 2022
• EPA to Step Up Federal Actions in PA for Water Pollution May 2, 2022
• Upcoming May 2022 Hearings of Interest April 21, 2022
• DNR Scoping of Possible Regulations April 21, 2022
• Financial Cost and Environmental Impact of Ship Freed from Chesapeake Bay Muck Remain Uncertain April 19, 2022
• Container ship stuck in Chesapeake Bay for more than a month is free April 19, 2022
• Container ship grounded in Chesapeake Bay refloated following 35-day salvage operation April 19, 2022
• Letter of Support – Tar Bay Gaps (Dorchester County) Dredging and Stabilization of Channel April 10, 2022
• Port of Baltimore “Ever Forward” News Release April 5, 2022
• The Potential Impacts of the “Ever Forward” Cargo Ship April 1, 2022
• Dredging “Ever Forward” cargo ship could negatively affect crab, fish and oyster populations March 29, 2022
• 50 year veterans discuss the issues the oyster industry is facing against the mismanagement of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. March 28, 2022
• Delegate, state environment department clash over possible sewage leak in Dundalk March 24, 2022
• Hypocrisy and grandstanding on bay cleanup efforts | READER COMMENTARY March 24, 2022
• Environmentalists concerned about lasting impacts of the stuck ‘Ever Forward’ March 24, 2022
• CONTAINER SHIP STILL AGROUND OUTSIDE PATAPSCO RIVER March 17, 2022
• Oyster Season Ending on High Note with Near-term Prospects looking Positive March 15, 2022
• Portion of Talbot County waterway reclassified as restricted for shellfish harvesting March 15, 2022
• Informal Webinar Presentation: Striped Bass Draft Amendment 7 March 10, 2022
• Public Comment: Atlantic Striped Bass Draft Amendment 7 March 10, 2022
• PUBLIC NOTICE – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources March 7, 2022
• Watermen Say Dredging of Tar Bay is Urgent March 7, 2022
• Chris Dollar on the outdoors: Legislation to dredge Chesapeake Bay reefs a bad idea | COMMENTARY March 1, 2022
• Maryland Crab Industry Says Labor Shortage Looms Again March 1, 2022
• Why We’ll Face A Crab Shortage In 2022, According To An Expert March 1, 2022
• Captains hope to keep legacy of Black watermen alive in Maryland March 1, 2022
• Trove of oyster shells discovered in Potomac River. Now what? March 1, 2022
• Oyster Industry sees 37 year high as watermen call for Man O’War Shoal dredging to move forward March 1, 2022
• Upcoming March 2022 Hearings of Interest March 1, 2022
• Guest Worker Visa Shortage Threatens Local Seafood Industry March 1, 2022
• Setting The Story Straight With Facts, Not Opinions by Rob Newberry March 1, 2022
• Council backs bill to stop Man O’ War dredging March 1, 2022
• General Assembly Update 03/15/22 March 1, 2022
• Oyster Shell Dredging In Man-O-War Shoal a Good Idea by Robert Newberry February 24, 2022
• 2/22/22 Talbot County Council Meeting February 24, 2022
• Stalled Maryland oyster restoration project gets a break February 22, 2022
• Regional Meetings Regarding Crab Pot Line Regulations February 15, 2022
• iShellfish Mobile App Now Available for Commercial Fishermen February 10, 2022
• EPA Declares ‘No Confidence’ In Conowingo Cleanup Plan February 3, 2022
• Kent Narrows Opens For Oyster Harvesting Thanks To Improved Water Quality February 3, 2022
• Court puts Maryland oyster restoration project on hold February 3, 2022
• Open up Man O’ War Shoals February 3, 2022
• USRC, partners announce oyster harvest pilot program February 3, 2022
• DFA General Assembly Update February 3, 2022
• Watchdog Group Files Lawsuit Against Baltimore for Wastewater Treatment Plant Failures January 25, 2022
• Sewage leak halts shellfish harvesting in portion of Potomac River, officials say December 1, 2021
• For the second time in a few weeks, Maryland officials close oyster harvesting in St. Mary’s for sewage overflow December 1, 2021
• JUDGE HALTS OYSTER PROJECT IN SOMERSET December 1, 2021
• QA urges Franchot to ‘step back’ from phasing out oyster industry November 1, 2021
• Somerset Co. seeks to stop DNR’s oyster restoration plan October 8, 2021
• Shore watermen angry over MWA decision to publish Franchot op-ed October 1, 2021
• 44th Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab & Clam Bake October 1, 2021
• Maryland Department of Natural Resources Release August 31, 2021
• Reminder: Additional CARES Act Funding Available for Maryland Fishing Industry August 27, 2021
• **PUBLIC NOTICE** August 6, 2021
• Public Notice: Multiple Oyster Harvest Area Openings and Closures July 9, 2021
• Public Notice: 2021-2022 Commercial Oyster Rules July 1, 2021
• Wild Oysters Overcoming 35-Year Struggle with Deadly Parasite June 30, 2021
• PUBLIC NOTICE June 30, 2021
• Wood and water-based industries, long been related June 24, 2021
• Good Outlook Adds Extra Day for Oysters June 18, 2021
• Environmentalists, farmers disagree on next steps as oyster population thrives June 18, 2021
• Crab Meat Shortage Clawing at the Restaurant Industry June 9, 2021
• Barefootin: State Reports Historic Oyster Spat Sets in Parts of Chesapeake June 1, 2021
• The Tide Is Changing for Oysters in the Chesapeake Bay June 1, 2021
• Commissioner Fithian Recognized as a Chesapeake Bay Ambassador May 21, 2021
• Oysters in the Chesapeake: The tide IS changing! May 20, 2021
• CBF Opposes Maryland Proposal to Limit Areas for Oyster Restoration October 27, 2020
• CARES Act Funding Available for Maryland Fishing Industry October 22, 2020
• Resolution and Petition by the Members of the Oyster Advisory Commission (OAC) October 7, 2020
• Public Notice: Commercial Striped Bass Common Pool Hook and Line Fishery Modifications October 4, 2020
• URGENT: 2020 – 2021 Commercial Fishing License Renewal September 1, 2020
• Mid-Chesapeake Bay Islands Ecosystem Restoration Project. September 1, 2020
• 2020 – 2021 Commercial Fishing License Renewal Extension August 20, 2020
• Blue Dye/Clams Recipe August 12, 2020
• Public Notice: Commercial Crab Pot Time Enforcement in Preparation for Hurricane Isaias August 1, 2020
• 99.5 Percent of an Atlantic Menhaden Year Class is Left in the Water to Serve Its Ecological Role, New SCEMFIS Report Finds August 1, 2020
• Harris Passes Army Corps Amendment to Benefit Local Waterways July 13, 2020
• Harris Passes Funding for Invasive Blue Catfish Inspections July 10, 2020
• A message from the Chairman; Captain Rob Newberry July 1, 2020
• 2020-2021 Commercial Oyster Rules — Effective 7/4/2020 July 1, 2020
• Commercial Mature Female Hard Crab Catch Limits — July through December 2020 June 28, 2020
• Responsible Offshore Science Alliance (ROSA) Seeking Advisory Council Applications June 10, 2020
• Oyster Advisory Commission Meeting June 2, 2020
• Charter Fishing Vessel Operations May 29, 2020
• Commercial Striped Bass Common Pool Hook and Line Fishery Modifications-Effective 6/2/2020 May 26, 2020
• Letter to Congressman Harris seeking additional pandemic assistance May 20, 2020
• EPA Awards $6M in Chesapeake Bay Grants May 20, 2020
• Department of Homeland Security Offers Flexibilities to Increase Food Security, Stabilize U.S. Supply Chain During COVID-19 May 14, 2020
• Executive Order on Promoting American Seafood Competitiveness and Economic Growth May 8, 2020
• Commerce Secretary Announces Allocation of $300 Million in CARES Act Funding May 8, 2020
• Senators Lead Bipartisan Push to Support Fishermen and Seafood Processors May 7, 2020
• May 2020 Update from the Clean Chesapeake Coalition May 7, 2020
• Follow Delmarva Fisheries Association, Inc. on Twitter May 6, 2020
• Public Comment for Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass Summer-Fall Regulations May 6, 2020
• Oyster Advisory Commission (OAC) virtual meeting May 5, 2020
• MDE Seeks to Clarify Harris Creek Closure Announcement – Pollution Questions Remain May 5, 2020
• DNR Offers Guidance for Striped Bass Season May 4, 2020
• Parts of Harris Creek CLOSED for harvesting or storing of shellfish effective May 18, 2020 due to Polluted Waters May 2, 2020
• The increasingly-infamous $300 million April 30, 2020
• URGENT ACTION REQUEST: Don Young – Bill Keating letter to support fisheries April 28, 2020
• Guidelines for Opening Up America Again April 27, 2020
• Buy Local During Stay at Home Order – Interactive Maps Help Marylanders Find and Sell Local Seafood April 22, 2020
• Seed and Shell Program Update April 22, 2020
• Did you know? 50 Years Ago April 22, 2020
• Chairman’s Corner Update 4-13-2020 April 13, 2020
• Oyster Advisory Commission (OAC) Virtual Meeting April 9, 2020
• Legislators briefed by Senators on assistance to Watermen April 9, 2020
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources April 2, 2020
• Mid-Atlantic Local Food Resource Map Now Live March 25, 2020
• Assistance for Fishermen in the Senate Stimulus March 25, 2020
• Coronavirus Pandemic – Chairman seeks specific regulations be lifted March 20, 2020
• Important Update from Captain Rob Newbury DFA – March 20, 2020 March 20, 2020
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 2020 Upper Chesapeake Bay Dredge Plan Presents Shell Reclamation Opportunity for Oyster Restoration March 19, 2020
• Testimony in SUPPORT Senate Bill 955 March 19, 2020
• SB 629 / HB 1306 Natural Resources – SAV Protection Zones and Hydraulic Clam Dredges (Aquatic Habitat Protection Act) March 19, 2020
• Testimony in Opposition to Senate Bill 948 March 18, 2020
• Fake Testimony Hurts Watermen, Makes Bad Law March 16, 2020
• Reclamation of Natural Oyster Shell March 16, 2020
• Tough Session in Annapolis April 23, 2019
• Hogan Allocates Funds for Oysters March 28, 2018
• DFA Requests Extension of Oyster Season March 5, 2018
• Heavily lobbied menhaden bill finally emerges March 2, 2018
• Clam Dredging: A Rebuttal to ShoreRivers by Marc Castelli February 16, 2018
• Omega Protein challenging menhaden catch limits on Chesapeake Bay WAVY 10 (Portsmouth, Va.) (2/13/18) February 15, 2018
• Celebrating African Heritage on the Bay February 10, 2018
• DFA Jan 1 Letter of Support for Reauthorization of Magnuson-Stevens Act February 1, 2018
• Icy Waters and Chesapeake Bay Critters January 30, 2018
• (no title) January 26, 2018
• 2018 Commercial Atlantic Menhaden Quota and Season December 28, 2017
• Smith Islanders Mobilize Against Questionable Oyster Sanctuary Projects in Local Rivers  December 18, 2017
• Maryland Announces Comprehensive Oyster Restoration Plan December 16, 2017
• Oyster Prices Drop. Watermen Take a Hit, Offer Solution December 7, 2017
• DFA Weighs in for NOAA adminstrator Nominee. November 29, 2017
• Recent correspondence from Virginia State Senator Richard Stuart to the Atlantic State’s Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) concerning Atlantic menhaden and pending Amendment 3 November 8, 2017
• MSRC – Seafood and Aquaculture Economic Impact Reports October 18, 2017
• Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission News October 14, 2017
• Acidity Levels in Chesapeake Bay Threatening Marine Life, Scientists Say October 11, 2017
• Embattled Maryland Oyster Restoration Program considered for Manokin, Nanticoke Rivers October 7, 2017
• Tilghman Island Day October 3, 2017
• Little Fish, Big Worry: Future of Menhaden Sparks Concern October 3, 2017
• Texas Oyster industry braces for more bad news September 13, 2017
• Restoring the Bay: Building reefs on Maryland’s Eastern Shore September 13, 2017
• Trump official’s flounder ruling clouds Atlantic coast fish conservation September 7, 2017
• BLUE CATFISH REGS September 3, 2017
• Acid Zone in Chesapeake Bay identified August 28, 2017
• New federal regulation of blue catfish may be eased August 26, 2017
• Fishing for answers on oyster restoration in Talbot waters August 25, 2017
• Talbot Watermen’s Association honors four local watermen August 23, 2017
• Competition with Vietnam pushing USDA to Curtail Wild-Caught Catfish Industry August 15, 2017
• Shore Fishermen Fight Federal Catfish Regulations August 15, 2017
• Letter from Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue re Blue Catfish August 10, 2017
• Courtesty of SFA: Trump and USDA Set to Regulate Wild Caught Catfish August 7, 2017
• DFA Letter to Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue August 3, 2017
• USDA rules on wild harvested Catfish must be repealed July 25, 2017
• New rules threaten growing blue cat industry July 21, 2017
• 2016 Oyster Reef Monitoring Report July 14, 2017
• Rock solid: Oysters about on restored reefs in Harris Creek, survey finds July 14, 2017
• Harris Creek “promising” but at what cost? July 14, 2017
• Critical Habitat designations for Atlantic sturgeon July 14, 2017
• Maryland shortens crab season by 10 days in response to population loss June 28, 2017
• Maryland and Virginia move to trim Bay Crab Harvest June 28, 2017
• News Flash: Chris Oliver Appointed Assistant Adminstrator of NOAA Fisheries June 20, 2017
• Maryland watermen buoyed by aquaculture June 20, 2017
• Blue catfish are destroying the Chesapeake Bay June 20, 2017
• HB924 puts sanctuaries out of bounds June 5, 2017
• Led by CBF and their surrogates, pure politics – not science – drives the oyster management agenda… June 1, 2017
• Reflecting on the golden age of watermen Kent County (Md.) News May 19, 2017
• Letter to Secretary Mark Belton Re: Man O’ War Project May 18, 2017
• Lack of shell delays Tred Avon sanctuary work May 18, 2017
• Important new video of Conowingo Dam May 17, 2017
• Joint Comments and Recommendations: DFA & CCC DNR Draft “Consolidated Strawman Management Plan Proposal” May 9, 2017
• Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission Raises Menhaden Catch Limit November 1, 2016
• Oyster Restoration Resumes in Tred Avon River September 29, 2016
• Concerns with DNR’s Rush to Restart Tred Avon River Sanctuary Work February 24, 2016