Virginia Isn’t For Lovers: Poor Year of Juvenile Stripers in VA

Feature Photo: A Healthy Striped Bass landed by Capt. Brian Kelly & his anglers.

It appears that the old motto “Virginia is for lovers” didn’t apply to striped bass this year. Earlier today, we reported that Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) released the 2024 Juvenile Abundance Index. The result: a 2.0, well below the 11.0 average, painting a grim outlook for the most iconic fish on the East Coast. Only a few hours later, we receive more heartbreaking news from Virginia waters. The 2024 VIMS Juvenile Striped Bass Seine Survey reported a significantly below-average number of juvenile striped bass in Virginia tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay. This is another notable metric that our current striped bass spawning stock is not successfully producing enough young to rebuild our fishery.

The VA Juvenile Seine Survey value for 2024 is 3.43 fish per seine haul, significantly lower than the historic average of 7.77 fish per seine haul. According to a VIMS release, “Consecutive years of poor recruitment deviate from the pattern observed in recent decades by the long-term monitoring program. Since the striped bass fishing moratorium was lifted in 1990, years with low recruitment have occurred about once every decade in Virginia waters. Although striped bass recruitment can vary considerably from year to year, consecutive years of poor recruitment raise concerns.”

Striper advocates’ reaction to the Maryland report was justifiably heated. The Virginia release shortly after is salt in a fresh wound. For those who did not yet read our blog about the Maryland Juvenile index release, six straight years of poor spawns in MD means we do not have new fish on the way for a very long time. Additional reports from VA showing poor spawn production further cements our call for critical action to conserve the future of this fishery.

The latest stock assessment indicates that the spawning stock biomass (SSB) of striped bass is unlikely to recover easily after enduring six years of poor recruitment. Since 2010, the SSB has faced significant pressures, resulting in dramatically reduced numbers of young fish entering the population. The 2022 assessment revealed that while some years showed promise, the subsequent years have seen age-1 fish populations fall below long-term averages​

​Notably, the spike in recreational removals by instituting a slot that targeted the robust 2015-year class in 2022—up by 38% from the previous year—exemplifies the unsustainable fishing practices that have contributed to this decline​. Abundance drives effort.

Stripers spawn in waves and each wave consists of a certain size class of fish. The largest fish spawn in the first wave and each consecutive wave consists of a smaller class.  Striped bass spawn in this way to maximize the potential to hit the right conditions. What happens if there are holes in the age structure? We don’t have a lot of very large fish left.  Not having a stratified population is minimizing spawning potential. It is like playing 5 card draw with 3 cards. You aren’t going to win many hands.  We know this, and managers know this as well, but they try to place the blame on everything but this fact. 

Understanding the dynamics of striped bass populations requires recognizing the crucial role of the Chesapeake Bay, where a significant portion of adult striped bass are born. Recent DNA studies have confirmed that most of these fish originate from this vital estuary, underscoring the Bay’s importance not just locally, but for the entire Atlantic striped bass population.

Now is the time for action. Every individual has a role to play in the conservation of striped bass. Attend the upcoming meetings, share your insights, and advocate for change.

The sixth bad spawn in a row in MD, coupled with the second straight poor spawn in VA, has placed the spotlight on the ASMFC Striped Bass Board meeting on the 23^rd.  We are humbled by everyone’s support for our latest Call for Critical Action. The Official ASGA Letter was submitted and included in the upcoming meeting Supplemental Materials. Over 1500 individuals and 200 businesses representing millions of dollars of annual industry showed their commitment to rebuilding this stock. If this management body can’t see the writing on the wall, then they should not be managing this fishery…