Menhaden abundance was near last year’s record high

ANNAPOLIS, Md.— Despite challenges for striped bass, biologists captured over 56,000 fish representing 56 species during the survey. Notable findings included strong results for menhaden and spot, key forage species in the Bay’s ecosystem. Menhaden abundance was near last year’s record high, while spot numbers reached their highest since 1988.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has reported another year of poor reproduction for juvenile striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay, with the 2024 young-of-year index recorded at 2.0—well below the long-term average of 11.0. This marks the sixth consecutive year of low reproductive success for Maryland’s state fish.

“These results underscore the complexity of managing a coastal migratory species whose life-cycle is influenced by environmental conditions during a brief spawning period,” said Lynn Fegley, Director of DNR’s Fishing and Boating Services. “We will continue to explore ways to conserve and enhance the spawning population during this time when we are adding fewer young fish to the population.”

The annual survey monitors 22 sites in four major spawning areas: the Choptank, Nanticoke, and Potomac rivers, and the upper Chesapeake Bay. Biologists conduct three visits per site each summer, using a 100-foot beach seine net to collect fish. This year, fewer young striped bass, or rockfish, were observed in these areas, along with similar declines in other rivers such as the Patapsco, Magothy, and West.

Efforts to rebuild the Atlantic Coast striped bass population have been ongoing for several years. While recent estimates show improvement, the consistent lack of young recruits poses challenges for future conservation measures under the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. Maryland has implemented stricter catch limits, protections for spawning fish, and season closures to support the spawning stock. However, environmental factors such as warm winters and poor water conditions continue to impact larval survival.

Other species with similar spawning behaviors, including white perch and American shad, also experienced below-average reproduction this year. Fisheries managers remain focused on conserving adult striped bass, aiming to bolster the population’s capacity to produce strong year classes when conditions improve.

Virginia’s Institute of Marine Science conducts a comparable survey in the southern Chesapeake Bay.