Recovery of the Striped Bass Morone saxatilis

1. Recovery of the Striped Bass Morone saxatilis Zach Stauffer

2. Striped Bass • Anadromous species along the Atlantic coast from Florida to St. Lawrence estuary in Canada • Can grow to 6ft in length and 125lbs in weight • Live to be 30 years old

3. Migrations • Involved in two types of migrations • Extensive coastal migrations apparently unrelated to spawning • Upriver spawning migration from late winter to early spring • Between 70% and 90% of Atlantic Coast stock spawn in the Chesapeake Bay

4. Early Fishery • 1950-1975 Striped Bass fishery continually growing • Very little regulation • Scientific studies showing a decline

5. Collapse • Late 70’s-Early 80’s, dramatic decline in population • 1979 Emergency Striped Bass Act • Primarily research

6. Legislation • Early 80’s-Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission given responsibility • Congress approves Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act • 1985 MD, DE impose moratoriums

7. Moratorium • Shut down fishery • Consequences • Negative • Thousands effected • Revenue lost • Positive • New research opportunities

8. Recovery • Population rebound began quickly • Hatchery program implemented • 1989 Moratoriums lifted • Strict regs left in place • Seasons • Size limits • Fishing licenses • Catch limits • Commercial harvest quotas

9. Conclusion • Cooperation • Government • Commercial/Recreational sectors • Public awareness • Model for future fishery collapses

10. THE END