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Decline and Potential Recovery of Striped Bass in a Southeastern U.S. Estuary
Author(s) -
Reinert Thomas R.,
Jennings Cecil A.,
Will Ted A.,
Wallin Julie E.
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
fisheries
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.725
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1548-8446
pISSN - 0363-2415
DOI - 10.1577/1548-8446(2005)30[18:dapros]2.0.co;2
Subject(s) - fishery , bass (fish) , estuary , habitat , population , overfishing , biology , stock (firearms) , ecology , geography , fishing , demography , archaeology , sociology
Declines in striped bass (Morone saxatilis) populations have been well documented over the past 30 years. During the 1980s, Savannah River striped bass also suffered a population decline, when catch per unit effort (CPUE; #/hr) of large adults declined by 97% and egg production declined by 96%. Loss of freshwater spawning habitat through harbor modifications was identified as the primary cause. Population restoration began in 1990 and included stock enhancement and environmental remediation. Salinity levels in historic spawning and nursery habitats are now similar to those prior to the decline. Recently, egg production and CPUE of large striped bass both seem to be increasing. The increasing abundance of larger fish should result in continued increases in egg production, and eventually recruitment, and recent captures of wild‐spawned larvae and juveniles confirm natural reproduction. However, current efforts to deepen the Savannah Harbor may preclude striped bass recovery by once again allowing saltwater intrusion into upper estuary spawning and nursery habitats. This case history may serve as another example of successful striped bass recovery efforts yet also underscores the need for continued monitoring and innovative research where populations are at risk or imperiled.