Document Type

Report

Department/Program

Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Publication Date

2014

Abstract

The 2013 Striped Bass juvenile abundance index was 10.94 and was significantly higher than the historic average of 7.04. Abundance indices from individual rivers varied compared with their respective historic averages, and significantly higher recruitment was observed in the York River (particularly the Mattaponi River). Average recruitment occurred in the other rivers. Increased catches of young‐of‐the‐year Striped Bass at upriver and downriver auxiliary sites suggest an expansion of Striped Bass nursery grounds in 2013. The evident increase in occurrence of young‐of‐the‐year Striped Bass throughout the tidal tributaries in Virginia further supports the observation of an above‐average recruitment year in 2013. In contrast with Striped Bass, juvenile White Perch abundance indices in 2013 were considerably lower than the historic average. A strong year class for Atlantic Croaker appears to have occurred in 2013. Average to above‐average indices for forage fishes suggest adequate trophic support for populations of commercial and recreational piscivores in Virginia waters.

Description

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sportfish Restoration Project F87R2. Submitted to Virginia Marine Resources Commission, March 2014

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/m2-8rz1-3k08

Keywords

Striped bass -- Chesapeake Bay (Md. and Va.); Striped bass fisheries -- Chesapeake Bay (Md. and Va.)

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