ANNAPOLIS — Have you fished in Maryland waters in the last three years, 2020-22? Do you own a boat, or fish from a charter or headboat — or is boating and fishing like a vacation and you just enjoy being out on the water?

COVID-19 took the wind out of a lot of industries including boating and fishing and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is working with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore to learn more from the public about likes and dislikes about the sport.

A survey was created from money granted under the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (CARES II) which will also be used to implement projects that will help Maryland's vital fishing industry recover from COVID impacts and become more resilient in the future.

A key objective is to find ways to introduce new anglers to the Chesapeake Bay and the outdoors.

The first step is the survey, being conducted by UMES, to learn about attitudes and perceptions of experienced and new anglers. This information will be used to study potential initiatives that support the for-hire and headboat fleets in Maryland and improve digital media support for this iconic Maryland industry.

Click here to take the survey. It should take you no more than 9-12 minutes to complete. For further information please email mdas@umes.edu.