The Patuxent River is a blue ribbon that winds through Maryland for 115 miles from the western hills to the Chesapeake Bay. It is the longest river within Maryland and has a rich cultural and economic history. Today, population increases combined with changes in land use patterns present challenges to the ecological health of the complex of waterways that intersect with and impact the Chesapeake Bay.
Patuxent Environmental & Aquatic Research
Laboratory( PEARL)
PEARL is perched near the Patuxent River in St. Leonard, Maryland and has worked for many years to increase the public’ s awareness of the ecological impact of modern life on the bay area and on its current and potential bounty. The PEARL mission is to help solve environmental challenges through research, education, and economic development.
Leadership
Dr. Scott Knoche serves as the Director of PEARL. His research interests, which include environmental and natural resource economics, mesh well with PEARL’ s mission to inspire society to understand the need for healthy waterways. Dr. Knoche leads an interdisciplinary team that includes 12 staff members with expertise in shellfish aquaculture, oyster genomics, environmental education, blue crab population dynamics, and more. For these researchers— and future ones— the data they collect and share creates an important snapshot of Maryland’ s treasured bay.
Research Programs
OYSTER AQUACULTURE PROGRAM Oysters have been a staple on Maryland’ s dinner tables for centuries. Overfishing, pollutants, disease, and land development have taken their toll on the ecological health of the bay, its tributaries, and its occupants to the dismay of farmers, restaurants, and residents. Acknowledging that healthy oyster beds are essential to future harvests, the state created a 10-Point Oyster Restoration Plan in 2010 that served as a catalyst to increase oyster aquaculture in the bay. Researchers at PEARL determined that a comprehensive view of the developing aquaculture industry was essential. So in addition to assisting with private hatchery development, PEARL also focuses on policy, regulation, economics, and marketing.
In 2017 PEARL hosted a National Science Foundation-funded workshop titled“ Chesapeake Fisheries: From Oysters to Economics.” Attended by internationallyrecognized scholars and researchers, the workshop focused on many of the issues PEARL works on year round: blue crab and oyster population levels, the economics of oyster reef restoration, and harvesting regulations.
BLUE CRAB STUDY The blue crab is a Maryland icon. The health and population levels of blue crabs are monitored annually, and even the most avid steamed crab-lover appreciates the need for sustainable harvest. PEARL’ s annual George Abbe blue crab population survey began in 1968 and is the longest-running fisheries independent blue crab study in the state.
Results from this long-term survey show that male blue crab size has decreased significantly since 1971. Because a healthy crab size is linked to more vigorous reproduction, the diminishing size highlights a problem that may affect future commercial harvests. PEARL’ s long term involvement with the blue crab study helps to identify such problems and attract the necessary resources to research solutions.
Education and Outreach
Morgan is busy developing more researchers to carry on the vital work of PEARL. Morgan has a well-earned reputation for identifying and educating talented young people who gravitate towards science. PEARL’ s internship and training programs are excellent examples of such development opportunities targeted to emerging scientists.
6 MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY