Solomons, Md. (May 21, 2007) – Regional leaders in higher education and environmental health gathered today at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Chesapeake Biological Laboratory to dedicate the new Fisheries Research Complex, a state-of-the-art marine research facility designed to enable UMCES researchers to engage in highly complex fisheries science. 

“This new facility allows our faculty to pursue scientific understanding of coastal and ocean fisheries while integrating those results into improved management of these vital resources,” said UMCES President Donald F. Boesch.

With more than 10,000 square feet of research space and housing both freshwater and saltwater research laboratories, this facility allows UMCES scientists to continue their research in fisheries assessment and management, global ecosystem processes and the development of ecosystem management plans that provide a blueprint for the sustainable use of our coasts and oceans.

Congressman Steny Hoyer, who helped cut the ribbon opening this new facility, said, “It is well recognized that the sustainability of our natural resources is critical to the environmental and economic health of our coastal communities. This new facility will ensure that Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay remain at the forefront of scientific research that can be applied to fisheries management.”

“For more than 80 years, our faculty members have been committed to making their research findings relevant to solving the environmental problems facing the Chesapeake Bay,” said UMCES Chesapeake Biological Laboratory Director Margaret Palmer. “This new facility allows our researchers to expand current research into evolving problem areas, such as the interactions between the Bay’s striped bass, crabs, and menhaden, and how it relates to the health of the Bay.”

Founded in 1925, the UMCES Chesapeake Biological Laboratory is the oldest, state-supported marine biological laboratory on the East Coast. UMCES is the principal research institution for advanced environmental research and graduate studies within the University System of Maryland. UMCES researchers are helping improve our scientific understanding of Maryland, the region and the world through its three laboratories, Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons, Appalachian Laboratory in Frostburg, and Horn Point Laboratory in Cambridge, as well as the Maryland Sea Grant College.

CONTACT:
Chris Conner
443-496-0095