NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office Biennial Report to Congress Fiscal Years 2019 and 2020

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO) uses its capabilities in science, restoration, and community engagement to improve the understanding, management, and stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay. NCBO focused on sustainable fisheries science, oyster restoration, oceanographic and meteorological observations, environmental literacy, and community partnerships. NOAA has been a partner in the Chesapeake Bay Program since 1984. In 2014, NOAA and its Federal and state partners signed the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, which included goals supporting the restoration and protection of the Bay watershed and guiding the work of the Chesapeake Bay Program. During the biennium, NCBO worked with partners to implement the goals of the Agreement and other shared priorities. This report describes highlights of NCBO’s activities for Fiscal Years (FY) 2019–2020 under the NOAA Authorization Act, 15 U.S.C. 1511d. This Act established the NCBO, which is a division of the Office of Habitat Conservation within the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). 2021 NMFS (National Marine Fisheries Service) OHC (Office of Habitat Conservation) Submitted Public Domain 1861