About Casco bay estuary partnership
Casco Bay Estuary Partnership: Protecting the Watershed through Research and Collaboration
The Casco Bay Estuary Partnership (CBEP) is a collaborative effort between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions to protect and restore the Casco Bay watershed. The partnership was established in 1990 under the Clean Water Act to address water quality issues in the bay.
The CBEP's mission is to promote stewardship of Casco Bay by providing scientific information, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and supporting community-based efforts to protect and restore the bay. The partnership conducts research on water quality, habitat restoration, climate change impacts, and other environmental issues affecting the bay.
One of CBEP's primary goals is to monitor changes in water quality over time. Every five years, they release a State of the Bay report that provides an overview of current conditions within the bay and its watershed. This report includes data on nutrient pollution levels, dissolved oxygen concentrations, temperature fluctuations, sea level rise projections due to climate change impacts as well as other important indicators.
In addition to monitoring water quality trends over time through their State of the Bay reports; CBEP also works with local communities on projects aimed at reducing pollution from stormwater runoff or improving habitat for fish species such as Atlantic salmon or alewives which are important for both commercial fishing industries as well recreational activities like sportfishing.
CBEP also collaborates with other organizations such as Maine Sea Grant or Gulf of Maine Research Institute (GMRI) on research projects related to marine ecology or oceanography. These partnerships help ensure that scientific knowledge about Casco Bay is shared widely among stakeholders so that everyone can work together towards common goals like protecting our natural resources while promoting sustainable economic development opportunities for coastal communities throughout Maine.
One example of this collaboration was a recent project where GMRI worked with CBEP staff members who were studying how changing ocean temperatures might affect lobster populations along Maine's coastlines. The research team used data from satellite imagery and oceanographic models to predict how lobster populations might respond to warming waters in the future. This information is critical for policymakers who need to make decisions about how best to manage Maine's lobster fishery, which is one of the state's most important economic drivers.
CBEP also works with local schools and community groups on educational programs aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues affecting Casco Bay. These programs include field trips, classroom presentations, and hands-on activities that help students learn about marine ecology or water quality monitoring techniques.
Overall, the Casco Bay Estuary Partnership plays a vital role in protecting Maine's natural resources by providing scientific information, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and supporting community-based efforts to protect and restore the bay. Their work helps ensure that future generations can enjoy all that this beautiful region has to offer while promoting sustainable economic development opportunities for coastal communities throughout Maine.