Document Type
Report
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Publication Date
2016
Abstract
The 2015 Striped Bass juvenile abundance index was 12.00 and was not significantly greater than the historic average of 8.63. Compared with their respective historic averages abundance indices from individual rivers in 2015 varied, such that significantly higher recruitment was observed in the Rappahannock River and average recruitment was observed in the James and York rivers. Relatively higher catches of young‐of‐the‐year Striped Bass at upriver and downriver auxiliary sites suggest expansion of Striped Bass nursery grounds in 2015. Unlike Striped Bass in Virginia waters, juvenile White Perch abundance indices in 2015 were significantly greater than the historic average for this species. Another below‐average year class for Atlantic Croaker appears to have occurred in 2015. In contrast, American Shad, Alewife, and Blueback Herring abundance indices were above average in Virginia waters in 2015. Average to above‐average indices for many forage fishes suggest adequate production of key prey resources for populations of commercial and recreational piscivores in Virginia waters.
Description
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sport Fish Restoration Project F87R26 Submitted to Virginia Marine Resources Commission, May 2016
DOI
http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/m2-gtrk-w688
Keywords
Striped bass -- Chesapeake Bay (Md. and Va.); Striped bass fisheries -- Chesapeake Bay (Md. and Va.)
Recommended Citation
Davis, C. D., Fabrizio, M. C., & Tuckey, T. D. (2016) Estimation of juvenile striped bass relative abundance in the Virginia portion of Chesapeake Bay : annual progress report : 2015-2016. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, William & Mary. http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.21220/m2-gtrk-w688
