Striped Bass Are in Trouble. You Can Help.

In yet another blow to striped bass (aka "rockfish" or "stripers"), the latest survey results show that for the fifth consecutive year, young-of-year striped bass numbers remain far below average in Maryland and low in Virginia as well. Low numbers of young fish now mean in the future there will be fewer of the large fish prized by anglers and important for reproduction of the species. In response to this disturbing trend, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission—the interstate body that manages striped bass all along the East Coast—recently released for public comment a fisheries management plan update, known as Addendum II, that seeks to help rebuild the striped bass population. Fisheries experts Chris Moore and Allison Colden discuss this iconic fish, why it’s important, the challenges it faces, and what ASMFC's Addendum II means.