This project would support MD DNR in five main objectives: 1) characterize marylands commercial american EEL fishery; 2) monitor the sassafras river EEL population through a fishery independent EEL…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources $450,328 on October 1, 2025, under the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act (CFDA 11.474) to support five objectives: characterize Maryland's commercial American eel fishery; monitor the Sassafras River eel population through fishery-independent eel pot study; participate in multi-state management of American eels through the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission; refine stock assessment models for Maryland eel fisheries; and assess recruitment of glass eels and elvers to the eel population in Maryland's coastal bays. The project runs through September 30, 2029, with work performed at Cape St Claire, Maryland. The award supports MD DNR's participation in interstate conservation and management of Atlantic coastal fisheries resources and the collection of information for preparation, implementation, and enforcement of coastal fisheries management plans.

This project would support MD DNR in five main objectives: 1) characterize marylands commercial american EEL fishery; 2) monitor the sassafras river EEL population through a fishery independent EEL pot study; 3) participate in multi-state management of american eels through asmfc; 4) refine stock assessment models for maryland EEL fisheries; and 5) assess recruitment of glass eels and elvers to the EEL population in marylands coastal bays.