• Abundant fish and shellfish populations thriving in oxygen-rich waters - a result of large reductions in nutrient and sediment pollution.

• Balanced and sustainable fisheries resulting from multi-species and ecosystem-based management plans.

• Restored oyster reefs providing habitat for fish, shellfish and other organisms; and an increased oyster population improving water clarity and providing economic benefits from a sustainable fishery.

• Migratory shad and herring in tributary rivers as a result of fish passage construction and dam removal. Healthier streams and fish populations will help reestablish vital components of the aquatic food web, leading to sustainable recreational and commercial fisheries.

• Sustainable harvests of blue crabs resulting from management plans that provide for reliable recreational and commercial fisheries.

• Ballast water management reducing the introduction of non-native aquatic organisms, and the risk of further ecological disruptions in the Bay. Expanded invasive species management will help to minimize the harm caused by established invasive species.

[See All: Protecting and Restoring Living Resources Commitments]

• Maryland and Virginia have identified oyster sanctuaries in strategic locations that will provide the nuclei for restoring native oyster populations. A comprehensive oyster management plan, which will be made final this winter, will provide guidance for expanding oyster restoration efforts.

• Management plans are nearly complete for the six aquatic invasive species that pose the greatest threat to the Bay’s aquatic ecosystem: zebra mussel, nutria, mute swan, phragmites grass, purple loosestrife and water chestnut. Bay Program partners are also forming a regional aquatic nuisance species panel that will coordinate implementation of these plans.

• Bay Program partners will shortly meet the goal of opening 1,357 miles of Bay tributaries to migratory fish. Projects to be completed include: Brassfield Dam on the Appomattox River, Sunbury inflatable dam on the Susquehanna River, and Embry Dam on the Rappahannock River. The planning for these projects is complete and, except for the Sunbury project, which currently lacks funding, work is now under way. Once the current goal in completed, Bay Program partners will set new goals to continue to open the watershed to fish migrations and to restore the vitality of our stream corridors.

• Fisheries management will continue to work toward balancing the Bay’s fisheries, as researchers expand the use of species and habitat interaction models. Multi-species fisheries management plans will be developed for: blue crab, oysters, menhaden, striped bass, shad and herring.