Young-of-the-year striped bass production was normal in Virginia tributaries of Chesapeake Bay in 2015, according to preliminary results from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) Juvenile Striped Bass Seine Survey .
The survey recorded approximately 12 fish per seine haul, which is statistically equivalent to the historic average of about 9 fish per seine haul.
Results of the 2015 survey mark the third consecutive year of average annual recruitment for striped bass in Virginia waters of Chesapeake Bay.
Although the 2015 year class of striped bass is considered average in terms of abundance, recruitment has been above-average or average in 12 out of the past 13 years, indicating production has been relatively consistent in Virginia nurseries.
The VIMS Juvenile Striped Bass Seine Survey currently samples 18 stations in the Rappahannock, York, and James River watersheds.
Also known as rockfish, striped bass play an important role as a top predator in the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. The species supports recreational and commercial fisheries in the estuary.
Striped bass from the 2015 year class could reach harvestable sizes in three to four years.
source: Virginia Institute of Marine Science