Outdoors Maryland

Chesapeake Bay Week
Mysteries, Menhaden & Maryland Harvests

It’s the unlikely sight that surprises most paddlers gliding into the eerie stillness of a hidden cove. They first detect a bow, then a stern, just beneath the water. Row after row, end on end, the outlines of ships from long ago appear. Ghosts Fleets of Mallows Bay, written by Maryland historian Don Shomette, is the most definitive book on the mysterious depths of the Potomac River. The area boasts what may be one of the largest graveyards of derelict ships. Shomette’s story of this obscure waterway comes alive in Secrets of the Chesapeake, Maryland Public Television’s (MPT) latest program exploring the people and places around the Bay. It chronicles unsolved mysteries from long-forgotten weapons of the Third Reich, to disappearing islands, to strange sea serpents. Explore the legends and lore of haunted lighthouses, lost treasure and pirates’ tales on April 16 at 10 p.m. during MPT’s Chesapeake Bay Week.

MPT Programming

SUNDAY, April 15 at 11 p.m.
Let Our Rivers Flow
The Mid-Shore River Keeper Conservancy travels along the Choptank River to witness its natural beauty and the challenges to its survival.

MONDAY, April 16 at 10 p.m.
Secrets of the Chesapeake
Legends and lore, plus little-known mysteries around the Chesapeake Bay.

TUESDAY, April 17
8 | 8:30 | 9 | 10 | 10:30 p.m.
Menhaden — The Most Important Fish in the Bay
Exploration of how harvesting Menhaden from the Bay affects water quality.

Rivers of Worry
Evaluating the safety of swimming in the Bay’s tributaries.

The Maryland Harvest
The food-to-table movement in Maryland and its impact on restaurants, chefs, farmers and consumers.

The Last Boat Out
Virginia Watermen ponder remaining in the seafood harvesting business.

The Skipjacks
A look at the fall of Maryland’s skipjack fleet and the men who sailed them.

WEDNESDAY April 18
9 | 9:30 p.m.
The Bugeye
A St. Michael’s man gives his all to finish restoring a Bugeye boat: the sailboat originally developed in the Chesapeake Bay for oyster dredging.

Blindspots — Threats to the Chesapeake
A presentation of three little-known threats to the health of the Bay.

THURSDAY April 19
8:30 | 9 | 10 | 11 p.m.
Growing Up on Tilghman
Exploring the waterman’s quiet community of Tilghman Island.

Fracking — Weighing the Risks
Examining the potential environmental, economic and social impact of drilling for natural gas in Western Maryland. A studio discussion with industry experts immediately follows.

Who Killed Crossastrea Virginica?
A look at the demise of the native Chesapeake oyster.

Chesapeake Wine Country
Maryland’s many wineries are featured in this tour of the State’s emerging vineyards.

SUNDAY, April 22 at 6 p.m.
Concert for the Chesapeake Bay
MPT teams up with WTMD 89.7 FM to introduce fans to some of the area’s best bands and encourage listeners to help clean up the Bay.

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