The word “Chesapeake” comes from a Native American word which means “great shell fish bay.” For many residents of the Chesapeake Bay, the beginning of summer is marked by the traditional crab feast.
The Chesapeake Bay is North America’s largest estuary, which is an area where fresh water and salt water mix. The Chesapeake Bay has historically been the center of United States hard shell blue crab fisheries, as well as the largest national supplier of soft shell crabs. Maryland soft shells are consumed in England, Japan, Iowa and Georgia.
Surprisingly, the Bay is quite shallow in most areas, with the deepest parts being around thirty feet, with the exception of a few channels that reach 100 feet deep. There are several large rivers that flow into the Chesapeake Bay with the Susquehanna River being one of the most prominent. For those living in Virginia or Maryland, the Chesapeake Bay is one place that will always be cherished, and those that vacation here will be more than likely to visit again. The Chesapeake Bay is even so special that they named a type of retriever after it! The Bay and the surrounding areas are full of countless adventures. Chesapeake Bay activities range from crabbing, museums, seafood festivals, arts and crafts shows, to waterfront festivals, boat races, fishing tournaments, and boat shows, just to list a few.
The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most productive estuaries in the world. Home to more than 3,600 species of plants and animals, the Bay is an incredible ecosystem which tries to maintain a healthy balance every day. The most famous part of the Bay would be what lies within, the blue crab. The blue crabs have the highest commercial value of all the catch in the Chesapeake Bay. The second most well known crustacean would be the eastern oyster. Oysters are extremely important for the surrounding economies and the water quality of the Bay. They also provide habitat and food for several species in the Bay.
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