Underwater grasses across the Chesapeake Bay reached their highest point since 2018, though some rivers continue to see troubling declines.
Results from an annual survey conducted by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and Maryland Department of Natural Resources recorded a total of 89,385 acres of underwater grasses, an increase of more than 6,000 acres compared to 2024 results.
The grasses are strong indicators of the Bay’s overall health. The grasses provide numerous ecosystem benefits but are sensitive to pollution. Underwater grasses lead to cleaner water and provide shelter and food for Bay species like blue crabs, fish, and waterfowl. They also mitigate climate change and diminish acidification caused in part by greenhouse gas emissions…