01/07/2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2026
Port Deposit Adopts Northern Map Turtle as Official Town Reptile and the Striped Bass and American Eel as Official Town Fish
Port Deposit, MD — The Mayor and Town Council of the Town of Port Deposit adopted Resolution No. 01-2026 officially designating the Northern Map Turtle as the Town’s Official Reptile and adopted Resolution No. 02-2026 officially designating the Striped Bass and the American Eel as the Town’s Official Fish.
These species are native to the Susquehanna River and reflect Port Deposit’s long-standing relationship with the river and the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The Northern Map Turtle is closely tied to the Susquehanna River and is listed as a Maryland State Endangered species. The Striped Bass and American Eel represent the health, resilience, and ecological importance of the Town’s waterways.
Councilman Dan Berlin introduced and advocated for recognizing the Northern Map Turtle as the official Town reptile and for establishing the Striped Bass and American Eel as the official Town fish to foster Port Deposit’s civic pride, strengthen community identity, and support educational efforts focused on the Town’s river ecology and environmental stewardship of the Susquehanna River.
Mayor Tome supported this initiative stating: “This designation strengthens our town’s connection to the Susquehanna River and emphasizes the importance of protecting the wildlife that makes Port Deposit unique.”
The resolutions build on the Town’s 2014 designation of “Rhonda the Turtle” as the official town mascot and reaffirms Port Deposit’s ongoing partnership with Towson University to support research, monitoring, conservation, and public education through the Town Visitor Center and the Towson University Research and Education Center located in Marina Park.
The Town encourages residents and visitors to learn more about the Northern Map Turtle, Striped Bass, and American Eel and to support efforts that protect river habitat, water quality, and the health of our local waterways.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Vicky Rinkerman
Town Administrator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 410.378.2121
