The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) reviewed results yesterday from its coastwide 2024 Striped Bass Stock Assessment update, which indicated that fish numbers remain below sustainable levels. The updated assessment shows that although actions taken since 2019 have reduced striped bass mortality, the population is still considered overfished. Based on these results, rebuilding the striped bass population by the intended 2029 goal is unlikely without additional management action.
The Board voted to meet again in December to consider further action. This additional time will allow technical staff to develop options for new limits that can be implemented in the 2025 fishing season.
The species is also seeing consistently low recruitment, meaning young bass are not surviving in numbers necessary to restore the population. Earlier this month, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Virginia Institute of Marine Science released their annual striped bass juvenile index survey, which revealed for the sixth consecutive year that young striped bass fell far below the long-term average.
To address rising concerns over the striped bass population, ASMFC has already implemented several additional regulations. Most recently in January 2024, ASMFC issued new limits for the size and number of fish that can be harvested. States have also taken action. Maryland DNR prohibited fishing for striped bass from July 16 through July 31 when temperatures are highest and fish are most vulnerable, and recently shut down Maryland’s trophy fishing season.
This week the ASMFC Board determined that at least an additional 15 percent reduction in fishing mortality would be necessary for the stock to have a 50 percent probability of rebuilding to sustainable levels by 2029. However, options to achieve that reduction were not available at the time of the meeting.
Therefore, ASMFC voted to meet in December to consider additional conservation measures for the 2025 fishing season for both the commercial and recreational fisheries. Conservation measures for the Board to consider will be developed by the Striped Bass Technical Committee. This action will position the Board to take action for the 2025 fishing seasons.
Allison Colden, Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Maryland Executive Director, issued the following statement:
“The current trajectory of our striped bass population is alarming. Without continued diligence by ASMFC and proactive conservation by the Board, the possibility of rebuilding the striped bass stock will continue to slip further from our reach. Protecting the remaining strong year classes spawned in 2015 and 2018 must be a top priority for any management actions considered by the Board in December. We cannot delay efforts to protect these important spawning fish.”
Chris Moore, Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Virginia Executive Director, issued the following statement:
“Despite recent management actions, striped bass continue to struggle. It is obvious that conditions have changed and striped bass will not have the same recovery they had in the 1980s. Warmer water from climate change, habitat loss, and invasive species are all making it very hard for striped bass to bounce back. While reviewing this latest young of the year survey, stock assessment, and future 2024 data, ASMFC should consider that striped bass will need continued intervention in order to fully restore this iconic Chesapeake Bay species.”
