The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Striped Bass Management Board convened on December 16, 2024, to deliberate on the future of striped bass management along the Atlantic coast. Despite concerns over the species’ declining population, the Board chose not to implement additional protective measures for the 2025 fishing season. Instead, they initiated an addendum to the Atlantic Striped Bass Interstate Fishery Management Plan, aiming to consider potential changes for the 2026 season.
This decision follows the October 2024 striped bass stock assessment, which revealed that the species remains overfished. Short-term projections indicated that without further action, the likelihood of rebuilding the striped bass stock to target levels by 2029 is less than 50 percent. Notably, these projections did not account for six consecutive years of recruitment failure in Chesapeake Bay, where the number of young striped bass has been consistently low. This trend has raised significant concerns among conservationists and stakeholders.
Seasonal closures, particularly during the warm summer months, have been proposed as a measure to reduce striped bass mortality. During summer, high volumes of recreational fishing coincide with elevated water temperatures and poor water quality—a combination that is detrimental to striped bass in the Bay. Even with catch-and-release practices, an estimated 9 percent of fish succumb due to stress, injury, or improper handling.
The ASMFC plans to develop options for the proposed addendum during their winter meeting in February 2025. Once approved for release, the addendum will be open for public comment, with final action by the Board anticipated in late 2025.
Allison Colden, Maryland Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), expressed concern over the Board’s decision:
“Our only hope now is that 2026 will not be too late for striped bass. With increases in fishing expected in 2025, bringing striped bass removals back down to a sustainable level is critical to the future of this iconic species.”
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation continues to advocate for immediate action to protect and rebuild the striped bass population, emphasizing the importance of timely and effective management measures to ensure the species’ long-term sustainability.