Bass: Striped

Striper, Rockfish, Linesider, Roller, Squidhound, Greenhead

Suzuki

Atlantic striped bass is a large, anadromous species. Its natural range extends along the eastern coast of North America from northern Florida to the St. Lawrence Estuary, Canada, and along the Gulf of Mexico from western Florida to Texas. Along the U.S. Atlantic coast, striped bass are prominent, particularly in the largest estuaries: Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay, the Hudson River and Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. Atlantic striped bass have also been introduced into the Pacific Ocean, as well as rivers, lakes and reservoirs throughout the U.S., and to foreign countries such as Russia, France and Portugal. The species has historically been one of the most important recreational and commercial fishes along the U.S. East Coast, particularly for anglers in and around the Chesapeake Bay.

Striped bass have a very broad species range; they are found from the Gulf of Mexico to the St. Lawrence River in Canada. Although life history characteristics vary slightly among populations, in general this species is moderately long-lived and has a relatively low age at first maturity. Females, particularly older, larger individuals, may be highly fecund. Except for aggregating to spawn, the species does not exhibit behaviors that make it particularly vulnerable to fishing pressure. This factor is a low conservation concern.

According to the latest assessment, striped bass is abundant and overfishing is not occurring. Based on available biological reference points, catch per unit area data, and data gathered from various state agencies (gillnet surveys, haul seine index, etc.), striped bass stocks appear to be stable or increasing slightly. The age distribution appears to be skewed towards younger individuals, but the species is fairly resilient and should normalize with an appropriate control of fishing pressure. This factor is a low conservation concern.

The net gear types used to target Atlantic striped bass are known to interact with some endangered and protected species. Even though the frequency of interactions is minimal, the potential for interaction is reason for concern. Hook and line fisheries, however, are assumed to involve negligible bycatch. Hook and line gear is a low conservation concern whereas net gear warrants a moderate concern.

The predominant gear types used to catch striped bass are gillnets, pound nets, haul seines, and hook and line gear. These gears are all relatively static and benign with respect to habitat. Some trawling is used to harvest striped bass in Maryland, but due to the predominant soft bottom sediment type over which this gear is used (Chesapeake Bay), the impact of trawling for striped bass on habitats and ecosystems is likely minor. This factor is a low conservation concern.

Atlantic striped bass stocks have successfully recovered and managers have maintained stock abundance since recovery was declared in 1995. The stocks are regularly assessed and the fisheries are monitored. Management measures have resulted in the continued maintenance of stock abundance and ecosystem integrity within striped bass fisheries. Management is a low conservation concern.

Elevated mercury and PCB levels + Adults and children should not eat at all

No.