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 Pages Tagged With: "boating"

Navigating the Depths: Inside the Delaware Bay’s Longest-Running Water Quality Monitoring Program

The Delaware Estuary Water Quality Monitoring Program, informally known as the boat run, is one of the longest-running water quality monitoring programs in the world.


Sharks in Delaware Waters

If you’re swimming in Delaware waters, particularly in the ocean, you’re probably swimming near sharks. But they actually have more to fear from us than the other way around.


What We Do About Animal Strandings in Delaware

An endangered fin whale was spotted struggling in the waters of Cape Henlopen State Park. Both the Delaware Natural Resources Police and the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute responded. Learn what happened and how we respond to animal strandings in Delaware.


Questions and Answers: White Creek Dredging

This page contains questions from the July 28 Public Information Session on the 2022 White Creek Dredging Project and answers to those questions from DNREC staff. The July 28


How to Stay Safe on the Water

Delaware’s waterways are packed with boat traffic this summer. Here are some tips and requirements you need to know to stay safe and enjoy your nautical adventures in the First State.


White Creek and Assawoman Canal Dredging Project

Preparation work for a dredging project in White Creek and the Assawoman Canal began in November, 2023. Both waterways are important navigation channels in the Inland Bays.
Comments and Questions Read Some of the Answers


Public Hearing: Matthew Eisenmann Subaqueous Lands Lease

The DNREC Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands Section will conduct a public hearing on a Subaqueous Lands Lease application for Matthew Eisenmann to maintain a pier and build a pier extension, a floating platform, and a boat lift in Herring Creek.


Delaware Marina Pumpout Stations

A list of Delaware Marina Pumpout Stations for use by boaters in Delaware waters. Summit North Marina3000 Summit Harbor PlaceBear, DE 19701302-836-1800Latitude (N): 39.54790Longitude (W): -75.70270 Delaware City Marina302 Canal StreetDelaware City, DE 19706302-832-4172Latitude (N): 39.57318Longitude (W): -75.59027 Carey’s DieselFront


Four Tips for Fishing with Young Anglers

Fishing is a great activity for young people to jump-start interest in the natural environment. Our staff agree, there is no time like the present to encourage the next generation of environmental stewards.


From Phragmites Part-Timer to a Wildlife Management Career, Thanks Delaware!

Former Division of Fish and Wildlife Regional Manager Bill Jones reflects on 34 years in state service and his progress from a part-time job to a career in wildlife management.


Wildlife Enthusiasts – Check Out Improved Access to the Bayshore!

Enjoy birding, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, taking photographs or just watching wildlife in their natural habitats when you visit the Delaware Bayshore. It doesn’t take much effort to find your favorite spot to enjoy some time outdoors.


Everything Including the Kitchen “Sink” — Delaware’s Artificial Reefs

Over 20 years, Delaware has recycled more than two million tons of rock, 100,000 tons of concrete, 86 tanks and armored personnel carriers, 1,329 retired subway cars and 27 retired vessels to create new, artificial reefs.


Determining Dredging Priorities

The DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section uses a data-based method to prioritize statewide dredging projects in Delaware’s Inland Bays and along the Delaware Bay coast.

Contact Us

Shoreline and Waterway Management Section 302-608-5500
Navigable Channels


About the Division of Fish and Wildlife

We Bring You Delaware’s Great Outdoors through Science and Service   What We Do Manage the state’s fish and wildlife resources. Enforce laws and regulations designed to protect and conserve these resources. Provide hunter and boater safety education programs. Provide environmental education


Contact Information

Patrick J. Emory, Director 89 Kings HighwayDover, DE 19901302-739-9910patrick.emory@delaware.gov
Frequently-Called Phone Numbers Boat Registration: 302-739-9916 Recreational Licenses, Permits, Passes, and Stamps: 302-739-9918 Boater Education: 302-739-9915 Hunter Education: 302-735-3600 (Ext. 1) Nuisance Animals: 302-739-9912 Report Fishing Violations: 1-800-523-3336 Operation Game Theft: 1-800-292-3030



2020 Masseys Ditch Dredging Project

The project to dredge Massey’s Ditch, an important navigation channel in the Inland Bays, was completed on February 27, 2020. The demobilization and removal of equipment such as pipeline concluded in mid-March 2020.

Contact Us

Shoreline and Waterway Management Section 302-608-5500



Waterway Management Workshops

What does it take to keep Delaware’s waterways open and safe? The DNREC Shoreline and Waterway Management Section held a series of informational open house workshops in 2019 to share information about dredging and other waterway management operations in Delaware.

Contact Us

Shoreline and


Boating Registration

Delaware law requires the registration of all motorboats, including those powered by electric motors, if Delaware is its state of principal use. All motorboats launched from tidal access areas administered by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife must be registered in Delaware or have a valid Tidal Access Boat Ramp Certificate.


Delaware Boat Registration Agents

There are authorized boat registration sales outlets throughout Delaware. Most offer both boat registration and boat ramp certificates. A few only offer boat ramp certificates. New Castle County J&J PowerSports(Boat registration and ramp certificates)301 Commercial DriveWilmington, DE 19805Phone: 302-655-4957


Boating or Fishing Event Application

A boating/fishing event permit from DNREC’s Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police is required for safety reasons when holding an event on the water.

Contact Us

Brandi Besecker Fish and Wildlife Natural Resources Police 302-739-9913
Permit Required


Boating Safety for Kids

The Office of Boating Safety and Education takes great pride in educating Delaware’s youth on boating safety. They offer several programs to get children interested in and learning about boating safety. It’s important to start early so that each youngster is the best and the most knowledgeable boater he or she is capable of becoming.


Boating Safety Course Schedule

The Office of Boating Safety and Education and its partners offer a Basic Boating Safety Course that meets the Delaware requirement for mandatory boating education. Courses are offered by different partners. Some are one day courses, others are offered over several days. The full course must be completed to earn certification. For


Boating Safety

The DNREC Office of Boating Safety and Education’s mission is to develop individual awareness, skills, commitment to safe responsible behavior, and constructive actions in safe boating. The goal for students is to be aware of state laws regarding safety violations and how to prevent them from happening while still enjoying Delaware’s waterways.


Boating

Delaware’s ocean and bay waters, rivers, lakes and ponds offer opportunities for boating.
Boating Safety The Office of Boating Safety and Education helps develop individual awareness, skills, commitment to safe responsible behavior, and constructive actions in safe boating. The goal for





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