It’s summer here in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay and while that means vacations and fun on the water for many humans, it means tough times for fish, crabs and other marine species in the Chesapeake. During these high water temperature months we experience dead zones because of algae blooms that are a result of pollutants such as run off from fertilizer and other like substances. The blooms suck all the oxygen out of the water in the lower depths which basically kills everything below. More scientifically speaking, when the algae dies it sinks to the bottom and decreases the amount of oxygen available in the bottom waters, a process called , killing all the fish, crabs and other species as well as their food sources.

Those of us who live and fish in and around the Chesapeake Bay have been aware of these dead zones or red tides as they are sometimes called, for some time now. Striped Bass this time of year are almost always found in the upper water column, generally from 15ft and above. It’s the only place they can get oxygen to breathe.

A US-Sweedish report was released last week suggests that dead zones are increasing all over the world. Dead zones have been steadily increasing over the past five decades and now encompass 400 coastal areas of the world. Dead zones now comprise around 245,000 square kilometers (95,000 square miles), according to researchers Robert Diaz of the Marine Sciences Institute at the College of William and Mary in Virginia, and Rutger Rosenberg, a marine scientist at Gothenburg University in Sweden.

“The formation of dead zones has been exacerbated by the increase in (pollution) … fueled by riverine runoff of fertilizers and the burning of fossil fuels,” the study said.The phenomenon, called eutrophication, is caused by industrial pollution as well as runoff of water containing phosphates and nitrates into the oceans.

“From 1970 to 1990, the hypoxic zone on the northwestern continental shelf of the Black Sea has expanded to 40,000 square kilometers (15,500 square miles),” the study stated. “However, since 1989, the loss of fertilizer subsidies from the former Soviet Union reduced nutrient loading by a factor of two to four, with the result that by 1995 the hypoxic zone had gone.”

Baiscally if these dead zones increase it will reduce where fish can live. With that means fish as a food source decreases. What would life with out fish, crabs, shrimp lobsters or other marine species look like? A heck of a lot of chicken and beef. Not that that is the end of the world, but think about it and what an impact that would have on food availaibly around the world. Hard to even phanthom. Scarey? It scares the heck of of me. Think about it the next time you fertilize your yard or pour other types of chemicals into the enviroment. With a little work we can reduce these dead zones, it just takes us wanting to.

Anytime you are in any sort of “boat” which includes kayaks, canoes, one man paddle boats and/or other like water going vessel you should have a life vest. You never know what can happen and it only takes a few seconds to get into trouble. In all my years kayaking I always have had a life vest aboard. Most states it is required to have a life vest.  I received the below note from the North Carolina Wildlife Division and thought it was a good reminder for all of us
(Pictured is Lateral Line Ambassador Cory Ruthelss Routh catching a redfish from the kayak. He is sporting the Lateral Line Crisfield Summer Fishing Shirt)

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North Carolina Canoes and Kayaks Not Exempt From Life Vest Law

In North Carolina, having a life vest for everyone onboard a canoe or kayak is smart, potentially lifesaving — and the law.

Wildlife Officers with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission will work to inform paddlers about an update to state regulations and begin enforcement on waterways. General Statute 15 NCAC 10F .0201 now requires that vessels be equipped with personal flotation devices.

The regulation previously stated “motorboat” and not “vessel,” which excluded canoes, kayaks and rowboats. All vessels are required to have at least one PFD (Type I, II or III) for each person onboard. If the vessel is over 16 feet in length, it is also required to have a throwable flotation device (Type IV PFD). The regulation update brings state law in line with existing federal regulations.

Any child younger than 13 is required to wear an appropriate life vest whenever they are on a recreational vessel that is underway. The life vest must be of proper size and have a U.S. Coast Guard approved label.

Important recreational boating information is available online at www.ncwildlife.org, including the Vessel Operator’s Guide, a safe boating checklist and how to enroll in a free boating education course, or by calling (919) 707-0031.