Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating - View Single Post - Striped Bass, the condition of the fishery

FishermanTim · 01-22-2009, 01:51 PM

I believe the forage / baitfish issue is not just for the northeast, but the entire eastern seaboard. If the fish spawning down south are starving due to overfishing for menhaden, it will directly affect the future stock of fish that will eventually migrate here each spring.
Underfed, weak and diseased fish will drop out of the spawning cycle, decreasing the YOY each season.

I agree that just (over)regulating the striper catches isn't going to fix the stocks overall health. Something needs to be done to keep the menhaden, herring, squid and other baitfish IN THE BASS'S LIFECYCLE and not on our grocery/baitshop shelves.

01-22-2009, 01:51 PM	#2
FishermanTim Registered User iTrader: (0) Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Hyde Park, MA Posts: 4,152	I believe the forage / baitfish issue is not just for the northeast, but the entire eastern seaboard. If the fish spawning down south are starving due to overfishing for menhaden, it will directly affect the future stock of fish that will eventually migrate here each spring. Underfed, weak and diseased fish will drop out of the spawning cycle, decreasing the YOY each season. I agree that just (over)regulating the striper catches isn't going to fix the stocks overall health. Something needs to be done to keep the menhaden, herring, squid and other baitfish IN THE BASS'S LIFECYCLE and not on our grocery/baitshop shelves.