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The Chesapeake Bay and its tidal tributaries provide jobs, recreation, and sustenance for millions of people. Research by VIMS scientists helps illuminate all aspects of the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem, from the natural history and ecology of its living marine resources to its tides and currents, water quality, and response to human influences.

Visit these pages to gain information about your dynamic Bay.

FAQs

Have a question about the Chesapeake Bay or the coastal ocean? Visit our "Frequently Asked Questions" pages for an answer.

UFOs

Have you encountered an unfamiliar marine organism on the beach or in the water? Let our experts help you identify it.

VIMS Storm Central

A one-stop shop for information on how research at VIMS helps society understand and address the coastal impacts of hurricanes and nor'easters. During storm events, we also provide up-to-the-minute data streams, videos, and photos.

VIMS Osprey Cam

Watch real-time images of an osprey family during their annual nesting and breeding season on the shores of Chesapeake Bay.

Jellyfish

Learn how to identify different species, avoid and treat stings, and other information related to one of Chesapeake Bay's most familiar class of organisms.

Fish-Kill Events

A few dead fish washed up on a beach is of little cause for concern. However, if you observe large numbers of dead fish on the shore or in the water, visit our fish-kill pages for contacts and breaking information.

VIMS Web Communities

Join the conversation—visit VIMS on Facebook™, Twitter™, Instagram™, YouTube™, and Flickr™.

Chesapeake Bay Watch

These 30-second video clips examine hot topics in Bay science and some of the familiar and not-so-familiar plants and animals that make up the Bay scene.

Research Topics

Here's a one-stop shop to learn about blue crabs, oysters, SAV, global climate change, aquaculture, pollution, and more. 

Tide Charts

View and download monthly tidal calendars for Gloucester Point, Hampton Roads, and Wachapreague, Virginia.

Tidewatch

Track the "extratidal" water levels responsible for coastal flooding.

VECOS

Monitor the pulse of the Chesapeake Bay through the Virginia Estuarine & Coastal Observing System and its array of high-tech moored and mobile sensors. 

VIMS SAV Program

Learn about underwater Bay grasses (aka submerged aquatic vegetation or SAV)  and their value to the Chesapeake Bay; locate published papers and reports on Bay SAV and; find out where underwater bay grasses are found in the bay from our baywide annual aerial monitoring program.

Wetland Reports

Read about the Bay ecosystem and the natural history of the Bay's fishes, shellfish, mammals, insects, birds, and plants.