While each of the roughly 250 species of fish and shellfish in the Bay plays a unique role in the ecosystem, several species stand out for their ecological, historical, and/or commercial and recreational importance. These species include:

• blue crab
• menhaden
• oysters
• striped bass (rockfish)
• alosines (shad, herring, and alewife)

Together with partners in resource management and research, NOAA focuses on developing and providing science to support sustainable management of these key species.