Viable Egg Answer from Ma. Div. of Marine Fisheries

[tattoobob]

Hi Bob,

In response to your questions:

A 40 pound striped bass is only about 15-18 years old. Considering they
can reach 25-30 years old, these 40 pounders are in their prime breeding
age. Recent evidence coming out for many fish species indicates that
the older spawners have better egg quality (more yolk resulting in
better larval survival). The healthiest condition of a stock is to have
a wide range of ages. All else being equal, a spawning biomass
containing many ages is reproductively better than the same amount of
biomass containing only young spawners.

Hope that answers your question.

Regards,
Mike

************************************************** **************
Michael *. ***********, Ph.D.
Program Manager - Recreational and Anadromous Fisheries
Annisquam River Marine Fisheries Station
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries