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Estimation of Juvenile Striped Bass Relative Abundance in the Virginia Portion of Chesapeake Bay Annual Progress Report: 2024 - 2025
Buchanan, Jack R. Tuckey, Troy D. Fabrizio, Mary C
Buchanan, Jack R.
Tuckey, Troy D.
Fabrizio, Mary C
Abstract
The 2024 juvenile Striped Bass abundance index was 3.43 and was significantly lower than the reference mean of 7.77 for the period 1980 to 2009. Abundance indices were below average in the James River and average in the York and Rappahannock rivers in 2024 compared with the river-specific reference means (1980-2009). With the exception of the James River, where the majority of juvenile Striped Bass were collected at upriver sites, relatively low catches of young‐of‐the‐year Striped Bass from sites upriver and downriver of core nursery areas suggest juvenile Striped Bass largely remained within core nursery areas in 2024. Juvenile indices of abundance were calculated for three additional economically and recreationally important fishes in Virginia waters. Juvenile White Perch abundance indices in 2024 were below historic averages in the James, York, and Rappahannock river systems. In 2024, the juvenile abundance index for Atlantic Croaker was similar to its historic average, while the juvenile abundance index for Spot was below its historic average in Virginia waters. Indices of abundance were calculated for eight common forage species within the tidal nearshore zone of Virginia waters. Abundance indices for Atlantic Silverside and Spottail Shiner were generally below their historic averages in 2024. The abundance indices for Banded Killifish, Inland Silverside, and Mummichog were generally similar to their historic averages in 2024. For the third consecutive year, the abundance index for American Shad was greater than its historic average in the Rappahannock River. In contrast, the abundance indices for American Shad were below average in the James, Chickahominy, Mattaponi, Pamunkey, and York rivers. The abundance indices for Alewife were average in the James and York rivers, but below average in the Rappahannock River. Abundance indices for Blueback Herring were average in the James, York, and Rappahannock rivers. Together, these results suggest adequate production of forage fish prey for piscivores in Virginia.
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2025-01-01
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Fisheries Science Reports
Research and Technical Reports
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Virginia Institute of Marine Science
DOI
https://doi.org/10.25773/bsp0-vw69