Restoration of living resources, including oysters, crabs, fish, and their associated habitat is the highest priority of the Bay restoration. Low dissolved oxygen continues to cause fish kills in some areas of the Bay, while disease and pathogens are a concern for striped bass and other species. Compromised reproductive systems and fish mortality are causing concern about the health of fish populations in the watershed. The CBP is working to implement multi-species management plans to address both the environmental factors and harvest limits needed to support healthy fish populations.

Understanding the effect of disease and environmental factors on fish health is a critical technical need being address by the USGS through:

• Conducting assessments of fish health in the Bay watershed to better document their condition;
• Investigating the loss of habitat function and other factors that are contributing to degradation of fish health in both the Bay and watershed;
• Providing forecasts of potential land-use changes on habitat to help identify critical stream corridors and near-shore environments for conservation; and
• Participating in development of environmental indicators and integrated assessments to improve understanding and management of fish populations.