Sportfishing Industry Reiterates Striped Bass Rebuilding Policy Priorities

The Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) released its 2024 Stock Assessment Update for striped bass at its annual meeting last week in Annapolis, MD. While overfishing is not currently occurring, the stock remains overfished relative to updated biological reference points.

The 2023 spawning stock biomass (SSB) is estimated at 77% of the SSB rebuilding target and the fishery remains under a rebuilding plan with a 2029 deadline. Unfortunately, rebuilding and long-term health of the striped bass population is challenged by a trend of low recruitment, with six consecutive year classes since 2018 falling below average in the Chesapeake Bay, the major stock producer area.

Updated short-term population projections indicate a positive rebuilding trend toward the SSB target, but given recent poor recruitment and ongoing uncertainty, the projections estimate less than a 50% probability of achieving the rebuilding target by the 2029 deadline.

The Board has scheduled a special meeting in December 2024 to consider adjustments to 2025 management measures aimed at increasing the likelihood of population recovery by 2029. Ahead of this special meeting, ASA will continue to advocate directly with fishery managers for the following striped bass policy priorities:

1. Balancing Access Across the Recreational Sector: ASA advocates for equitable access for all recreational anglers to the striped bass fishery, ensuring regulations support a balanced approach that maintains both harvest and catch and release opportunities throughout the rebuilding plan.
2. Equity Between Sectors: Any measures to reduce fishing mortality must apply equally to both the recreational and commercial sectors because everyone that uses the resource has a shared interest in its future.
3. Managing to the Target: To maintain rebuilding, ASA recommends ASMFC continue its proactive approach to achieving the fishing mortality target, a value that currently incorporates a low recruitment scenario.
   • Finding a balance between being precautionary to ensure rebuilding while also allowing newly implemented regulations a chance to work will be important throughout the remainder of the rebuilding plan.
4. Take A More Proactive Approach To Addressing Habitat and Water Quality: ASA urges ASMFC to collaborate with Chesapeake Bay state and federal partners to address development and invasive blue catfish, which threaten striped bass habitat suitability and spawning success.
   • Science shows that environmental conditions are driving poor recruitment. While ASMFC has limited authority, more action is needed to address ongoing spawning challenges that are clearly unrelated to fishing.

The sportfishing industry will continue to support conservation measures that align with these priorities, seeking to ensure a robust and sustainable striped bass population while balancing fishing access for the entire recreational fishing community.