Chesapeake Bay 2023 Juvenile Striped Bass Survey results announced
by American Sportfishing Association 18 Oct 2023 05:56 AEDT
During the annual survey, Maryland Department of Natural Resources fishery managers examine 22 sites located in four major striped bass spawning areas © Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Maryland's juvenile abundance index, which measures the reproductive success of striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay, recorded its second-lowest value in the time series in 2023.
This represents the fifth consecutive below-average spawn from the annual survey, which dates back to the 1950s.
"To rebuild the striped bass population--let alone maintain a rebuilt condition—the entire striped bass fishery must participate in conservation and continued poor recruitment reinforces that point. ASA urges managers to reduce commercial landings and set equal limits for all recreational fishing modes as it finalizes Addendum II to the Fishery Management Plan this winter," said ASA's Atlantic Fisheries Policy Director Mike Waine.
Learn more here