Pages Tagged With: "delaware bay"
DNREC Helps Keep Waterways Clear of Old Crab Pots
Every year, thousands of people go crabbing for fun in the Delaware Bay. Unfortunately, whether from neglect or simple forgetfulness, not all those crab pots get picked up. Forgotten or abandoned traps can be hazards, both to boaters and to wildlife. That’s why the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has been working with partner organizations for several years to clean up derelict pots, including holding an annual event aimed at finding and removing these traps.From Our Bays to Your Plate: Inside Delaware’s Shellfish Aquaculture Industry
Significant progress in the shellfish industry has been made since the beginning of the 2010s, when Delaware was the only state on the Atlantic coast without shellfish aquaculture. Just a decade later, hundreds of thousands of oysters are being harvested via aquaculture and sold to restaurants and distributors right here in the state.Delaware Ocean and Bay Activity Guide
The Delaware Ocean and Bay Activity Guide is one of three core components of the Delaware Ocean and Bay Plan. It serves as an inventory of the marine activities and resource types occurring off Delaware’s coast. Insights into marine activities and current uses, in both a spatial and temporal context, were providedMarine Minerals
Activities associated with marine minerals are foundational elements of Delaware’s blue economy and environment. Sand and dredging support coastal resilience by replenishing beaches and maintaining navigable waterways critical for commerce and recreation. These activities also help protect coastal communities from erosion and storm impacts. While no other minerals, including oil, gas and sulfur, are currentlySubmarine Infrastructure
Submarine infrastructure, such as cables and pipelines, along with archaeological resources and artificial reefs, form both the literal and figurative foundation of Delaware’s blue economy and environment. On the seafloor, these structures support essential services like communication, energy transmission and habitat creation. Archaeological resources are records of the past, while artificial reefs enhance biodiversity andWater Quality
Water quality is a key element in planning for a healthy blue environment. Clean water supports the survival of marine life, sustains critical habitats and ensures safe conditions for recreation and fisheries. Poor water quality, caused by pollutants, excess nutrients or acidification, can lead to harmful algal blooms, habitat degradation and reduced survival in marineNatural Resources
The marine resources off Delaware’s coast are forced to adapt to increased human interactions and disturbances, known as anthropogenic impacts, warming waters and acidification. As essential components of Delaware’s ecosystem, marine resources in the Atlantic Ocean and Delaware Bay provide ecosystem services such as supporting biodiversity, regulating climate, absorbing carbon dioxide and providing clean air.Marine Resource Conservation
Marine resource conservation is essential to maintaining a healthy blue environment off Delaware’s coast, ensuring the long-term sustainability of ecosystems that support commercial and recreational activities. By protecting habitats such as deep-sea corals and areas important to breeding populations of marine organisms, conservation efforts help preserve biodiversity and improve water quality. Thoughtful planning that considersOffshore Energy
Offshore energy is an emerging facet of Delaware’s blue economy, with offshore wind leading the way in providing clean power, economic investment and job creation. Projects like US Wind’s MarWin and Ørsted’s Skipjack are expected to deliver over a gigawatt of power. Newer technologies and forms of marine energy being explored in other parts ofMaritime Activities
Maritime activities are vital to Delaware’s blue economy, supporting jobs, economic growth and coastal communities. Marine transportation facilitates the movement of goods through the Port of Wilmington, a key regional hub. Commercial fishing and aquaculture contribute to the state’s seafood industry and cultural heritage, while military operations provide national security and generate local economic activity.Recreation and Tourism
Recreation and tourism play a major role in Delaware’s blue economy, supporting a wide range of businesses in Delaware, such as restaurants, hotels, marinas and sporting goods stores, especially in the summer months when beach visitation is at its peak. Recreation Photo: Sharon Denny TheMurderkill River? Slaughter Beach? Exploring the Etymology of Delaware’s Places
Virginia is named for Queen Elizabeth I of England, Pennsylvania is derived from proprietor William Penn, New Jersey takes its designation from a British island and everyone knows the origin of Washington. But what about Delaware? And even if you are aware of where our state’s name comes from, how about the Murderkill River or Cape Henlopen? The origins of Delaware’s place names make for fascinating stories.Fly Fishing Lessons
Anglers aged 16 and older can learn about, and gain skills in, the increasingly popular sport of fly-fishing by attending free fly-fishing lessons for adults at the DNREC Aquatic Resources Education Center in Smyrna.Contact Us
Aquatic Resources Education Center
The Aquatic Resources Education Center, operated by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, focuses on wetlands, fishing and other aquatic education themes.Contact Us
Taylor Border Aquatic Education Programs Manager 2520 Lighthouse Road Smyrna, DE 19977 302-735-8689
