Waterway Stewardship I

Did you know that when you throw organic matter into the water you are not feeding the crabs and helping to improve our waterways? Crabs are sloppy eaters. Most organic matter is not eaten but is decomposed by bacteria. Bacterial decomposition releases the nutrients nitrate and phosphate into the water. These nutrients fertilize the growth of suspended algae, which grow rapidly and cloud the water. Cloudy water prevents the growth of submerged vegetation, which is one of the primary habitats for juvenile fish and crabs. So when you throw organic matter into the water you are actually helping to destroy the habitat that juvenile crabs and fish need.

Here is the NAPS Stewardship "Tip-of-the-month":

Never throw anything into the water. Nothing we humans put into the water helps our waterways or the Bay. Nature provides. Leave it to Nature.