Striped bass fishery plan to address looming crisis

Annapolis, Md. — Aiming to rebuild the struggling striped bass population, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recently released a proposed update to the striped bass fishery plan for public comment.

The update, known as Addendum III, includes various options that could lead to new regulations for anglers and watermen. Following a public comment period on those options, final adoption of any new measures is expected at the commission’s annual meeting in late October.

Striped bass recruitment, or reproductive success, in Maryland has been below average for six consecutive years. There are not enough young striped bass to grow up and replace the big fish being caught, foreshadowing a potential future disaster.

The Chesapeake Bay produces between 70-90% of all striped bass on the East Coast, and low striped bass recruitment is also occurring in other nursery areas such as the Hudson and Delaware rivers.

Challenges contributing to these striped bass struggles include pollution, loss of habitat, overfishing, invasive predators like blue catfish, and warming water temperatures due to climate change.

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Chesapeake Bay states have proactively closed fishing for striped bass during the hot summer months, when fish are most vulnerable to dying after being caught and released.

But the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s 2024 striped bass stock assessment showed that without additional action by commission member states it’s unlikely that striped bass recover to their target numbers by 2029 due to higher than predicted fishing rates in 2024.

The striped bass addendum recently issued includes several options intended to further reduce fishing effort to help striped bass rebound to the target by 2029.

Over the coming months, the commission will host public hearings on Draft Addendum III, where participation will be critical to support striped bass conservation. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is reviewing changes to the document and will share further information ahead of public hearings and public comment deadlines.

Allison Colden, Maryland executive director for the foundation, issued the following statement:   

“Maryland’s striped bass surveys have made it clear –we’re facing a looming disaster. Without action now, the Chesapeake Bay won’t have a striped bass fishery in the future. Additional regulations will have real impacts, but they pale in comparison to the threat of continued striped bass decline. Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission must err on the side of conservation to protect striped bass.”

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