The recreational fishing and boating community is lauding the decision by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Striped Bass Management Board to require an 18% reduction in striped bass removals by both the recreational and commercial fishing sectors from North Carolina to Maine in 2020. On October 30, ASMFC voted to address the decline in striped bass after it was determined in 2018 that the population is overfished and experiencing overfishing.

Striped bass are one of the most sought-after fish on the Atlantic coast. To further decrease release mortality of striped bass, the Commissioners unanimously approved mandatory use of circle hooks when fishing with bait to be implemented in 2021. Non-offset circle hooks are designed to hook fish in the mouth and reduce “gut hooking” fish that swallow the bait. The effectiveness of circle hooks as a conservation measure has been proven through more than a decade of mandatory use in the Gulf of Mexico reef fish fisheries, and the use of circle hooks is widely supported in the recreational community as a way to release more fish alive.

Prior to the decision, CSP and partners in the industry wrote to the ASMFC supporting these measures to end overfishing and begin rebuilding striped bass. Thousands of anglers also weighed in during the public comment period in support of equal percent reductions by the recreational and commercial fishing sectors to meet the goal of 18% reduction in total removals.

ASMFC is an Interstate Compact ratified by the states and approved by the U.S. Congress in 1942 to jointly manage their shared migratory fishery resources. The Atlantic striped bass fishery has been a success story for angler conservationists after it was brought back from the brink in the 1980s due to overfishing. While the stock is significantly healthier than it was in the 1980s, recent declining trends in the population are cause for concern. Therefore, reducing the amount of Atlantic striped bass removed by recreational and commercial fishermen is needed to rebuild the stock to a healthy status.

The collaborative decision-making process of ASMFC is key to the future of the Atlantic striped bass fishery. As state fishery managers from North Carolina to Maine determine how to reach the 18% reduction by fishermen in their state, we look forward to working with them on our shared goals of sound conservation and stewardship.

Jeff Angers

Center for Sportfishing Policy