The Maryland Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the National Park Service, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the Coastal Bays Foundation completed an intensive survey of benthic macroalgae in the Maryland Coastal Bays During the week of May 21, 2001. This intensive sampling effort was prompted by repeated reports of abundant macroalgae received from researchers and citizens. Biologist with Maryland DNR convened a working group to discuss potential approaches to monitoring and assessing the distribution and abundance of macroalgae. These discussions led to formulation of the plan to intensively sample benthic macroaglae at over 800 stations in the coastal bays system from Assawoman to Chincoteague. The information is presently being processed and will enable the group to map and begin to understand the distribution patterns of macroalgae.

These data will be presented at an upcoming workshop that will focus on understanding the role of macroalgae in the coastal bays ecosystem and develop an effective and appropriate monitoring method to assess annual status and trends of macroalage abundance in the coastal bays.

Brown Tide monitoring is ongoing from late April until July.  Pfiesteria monitoring is being conducted in targeted systems from April through October.