Striped bass populations decline along Atlantic coast due to overfishing and environmental stress
Scientists warn that striped bass face collapse after eight years of poor reproduction in the Chesapeake Bay and declining numbers along the Atlantic coast.
Anglers report changing catch patterns
Fishermen on the East Coast say large runs of striped bass have stopped appearing. Young fish are becoming harder to find as the population drops. One angler recalls catching eight or nine heavy fish in a single night decades ago.
Reproduction fails for eight years
Regulators stated last week that the species suffered eight consecutive years of poor reproduction in its critical habitat. This decline extends along much of the Atlantic coast beyond just the Chesapeake Bay area.
Multiple factors drive population drop
Experts cite warming waters, poor river flow, drought, and pollution as contributors to the crisis. Some scientists also point to increased predation from seals and sharks as possible causes.
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