January 2026 CCASM Meeting

Happy New Year! 

January 15, 2026 (7 PM) 

Changing Fish Exploitation in 17th- through 20th-Century Chesapeake Bay

The Bay has supported substantial fisheries throughout the Historic period (post-1607 CE). This study investigates changes in fish exploitation in the region and anthropogenic impacts on the bay’s fish populations during the Historic period through the meta-analysis of reported archaeological fish bone assemblages. 

The database consists of 102,825 identified fish remains from 252 assemblages—two of them from sites on the SERC campus—dating to the 17th through early 20th centuries. Statistical analyses indicate that the Chesapeake’s fisheries diversified beginning in the 18th century, with migratory and freshwater fish taxa becoming increasingly important. At the same time, assemblages became more taxonomically homogeneous, reflecting the emergence of a locally adapted regional fishing tradition. Our data also suggest that Sheepshead (Archosargus probatocephalus), a species important to early fisheries, may have experienced overfishing-induced population declines by the end of the 17th century. 
 

James G Gibb
Smithsonian Research Associate

This research has been funded by a grant from the H2020 European Research Council (951649) awarded to Dr. James H. Barrett. Contributors: Thomas C.A. Royle (Lead author), Danielle L. Buss, J. Ryan Kennedy, Erin H. Kunisch, Susan Trevarthen Andrews, April M. Beisaw, Hayden A. Bernard, Joanne Bowen, Gregory J. Brown, James G. Gibb, D. Brad Hatch, and Henry M. Miller.

 

 

A Zoom link will be sent to CCASM members who can not attend in person.  Non-members will need to email ccasm2010@gmail.com by January 13 to request the link.

Location: La Plata Police Department Community Room, 101 La Grange Ave, La Plata, MD (map)
Parking is on the north side of the building (but not behind where the police cars are), on the street, and in the lot across the street.


Inclement weather policy: If the evening activities of the Charles County Public Schools are canceled due to inclement weather, CCASM meetings and/or activities will also be canceled or else be conducted via Zoom if a link has already been set up.
Call the 24-hour information line [301-934-7410 or 301-932-6656] to hear if there are any closure announcements. If there aren't any closure announcements, then CCASM activities will proceed as planned.