Do you have a question about the Chesapeake Bay? Explore our
list of frequently asked questions to learn more about the Bay
and its watershed, habitats and wildlife. You can browse the FAQ
by category, or explore the answers to some of our most common
questions below. If you have a question that hasn’t been
answered in our FAQ, ask us by filling out the form below. A bay
is an inlet of the sea. An estuary is a partially enclosed body
of water where fresh water and salt water meet. Some bays—like
the Chesapeake—are estuaries. There are at least 12 shark
species that can be found in the Chesapeake Bay, but these
species rarely pose a threat to human safety. Some—like the
sandbar shark, sand tiger shark and smooth and spiny dogfish—are
common, while others—like the bull shark, basking shark and
bonnethead—are rare visitors. A number of factors have
contributed to the decline in the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster
population, including over-harvesting, disease (like MSX and
Dermo), sedimentation and poor water quality. B