Striped Bass Getting Smaller - Boat U.S. Reports

Boat/US Magazine, Jan, 2002

A report to Congress on the status of Atlantic striped bass shows that while the numbers of smaller fish have increased significantly in recent years, older bass are becoming increasingly scarce. The report, issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, calls for reducing mortality to increase the number of larger, mature bass, something recreational fishermen have been advocating for years.

The striped bass is the most sought after saltwater sport fish in U.S. waters. Atlantic populations hit record lows in the 1980s but drastic management measures since then have brought the stocks back. The species was declared recovered in the region six years ago.

Stripers can live more than 30 years and weigh in excess of 70 pounds. But recent management measures have increased pressure on the larger fish to the extent that few live past age 15, according to Dick Brame of the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA).

"We are pleased that the scientific community has recognized the same thing that recreational fishermen have been seeing, namely a decline in trophy-sized fish," said Brame, coordinator of CCA's Atlantic States Fisheries Committee. "Fisheries managers now need to translate these findings into action for sound management."

Brame contends that current management has resulted in high populations of striped bass, overall, and stabilized the lower end of the stock's size and age range. But the same policies have disrupted the normal age structure and caused the decline in large fish.

"The management measures now in place have simply allowed too many large fish to be harvested too soon and, as a result, almost no bass survive past age 15 -- just half their normal life span," said Charles Witek, chairman of CCAs Atlantic States Fisheries Committee. "With this report to Congress, the message is clear -- bring back the big bass."