A Vital Ecosystem in Crisis

The Ongoing Battle to Save Chesapeake Bay

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the U.S. and one of the most studied bodies of water in the world. Decades of pollution, mostly from nitrogen and phosphorus runoff, have created dead zones—oxygen-starved areas that kill fish and disrupt ecosystems. Conservation efforts, backed by the Clean Water Act and Chesapeake Bay Program, have led to progress, including reductions in nutrient pollution. However, challenges remain. Once home to 6,000 oystermen, the Bay’s oyster population has dropped by 99% due to overfishing and disease. Restoration efforts, including oyster reef rebuilding, are underway, with a goal of restoring 10 tributaries by 2025.Despite setbacks, Chesapeake Bay remains a symbol of what’s possible when states, scientists, and communitis work together to protect an essential ecosystem.