For anyone who cares, read the article in the attached link as you should find it an interesting read. Positive news on one hand but really sheds light and perspective of what's really the root cause of the striped bass problem as well as other species and the Chesapeake ecosystem as a whole.
https://www.savannahnow.com/story/ne...e/86983923007/
A few comments worth noting. First
"But a 2025 stock assessment update found that Atlantic menhaden biomass and fecundity (reproduction potential) were lower and fishing mortality was higher than previously estimated in the 2022-2023 stock assessment. While menhaden was not found to be overfished or experiencing overfishing quite yet, other species that rely on them as prey, such as ospreys, spiny dogfish, bluefish, dolphins and the overfished popular catch, the Atlantic striped bass." What they fail to mention from another article I read is the biomass and reproductive rates of bunker were not only overestimated, they were overestimated by approximately 50%!
Second. look at the chart titled "Mad for Menhaden" and notice the harvest dynamics between northern and southern states with southern states being predominantly Virginia and Cooke Inc. / Omega Protein.
Third this is the problem plaguing every fishery with a commercial presence and why the recreational sector typically gets the proverbial short end of the stick.
"The Oct. 28 meeting was packed with about 100 members of the public not including state representatives, estimated Hayman. More than 240 people listened in on the four- to five-hour call.
"Omega Protein, or ocean harvesters in Reedsville, brought a busload of their employees to fill the room up," said Hayman. Virginia accounts for about 75% of the Atlantic Coast's landings." One state accounts for 75% of the harvest and every other Mid-Atlantic state pays for the cost of their greed as does not just the striped bass stock but so many other stocks which inhabit the bay as well as our coastal waters.
At least it's good to hear someone finally speak the truth and while a 20% reduction is a good start, it won't be enough to counter 7 years of not just below average but absolutely anemic recruitment in the Chesapeake due to pollution and exploitation of nature natural filtration system and number one forage fish.
