The Chesapeake Bay is an estuary in danger. Many of its problems are related to population growth in the watershed. All of its problems directly affect the watermen and the fishing industry. Septic tanks and waste from industry cause pollution and disease in the Bay. This especially affects the oysters and clams.
Watermen notice that there are fewer oysters each year.
Many oyster and clams beds have been closed because of disease and pollution. Each year the harvest gets smaller and smaller. Chemicals from lawns and farms make the water too rich in nutrients. This allows algae to grow. When algae thickly covers the surface of the water, it blocks the sunlight needed by the underwater grasses .