Posted by red on 8/23/2006, 4:46 am I wish I had better news on striped bass and an opportunity for you to get involved and make a difference, but despite CSPA’s best efforts and that of other groups, the striped bass fishery continues its decline with oblivion not to far off in the distance. If you go to http://www.delta.dfg.ca.gov/data/townet/ You will find the results of the DFG’s recent townet survey and the striped bass index since the 1960's. This years survey on young of the year bass is the lowest in history and continues the trend of such low survival that there will not be a year class again this year! The fishery is composed of mostly young fish. It lacks the larger more fecund female fish that could return this resource to self-sustaining levels. It appears that we will need an average striped bass index between 40 to 60 if we want to restore the fishery to a healthy self-sustaining population. Clearly, this fishery – like others in the estuary – is a victim of the water wars and excessive Delta water export. CSPA’s has been working closely with NCC - FFF and CSBA to obtain a striped bass management plan and strategy to restore this fishery to at least a shadow of its former self. Unfortunately, the DFG ran into huge fiscal problems under the Governor's 2004-5 budget and virtually terminated their striped bass program after falling some $20 million dollars down to their slashed budget. Jim Crenshaw, CSPA’s President, the chairman of Striped Bass Stamp Advisory Committee and the Bay-Delta Sportfishing Enhancement Stamp Advisory Committee is extremely concerned about the future of this fishery. Even though the striped bass stamp has more than $1 million in it, the committee has not met in more than a year! As you may know, the Bay-Delta Stamp Committee just received significant spending authority for the first time this July after two years of the stamp being in effect. 2005 Summer Townet Survey (8/19/2005) The 38.1-mm striped bass index for 2005 was 0.9. This is not much different than the 2004 index of 0.8. The 38.1-mm index is set when the mean fork length of striped bass is 38.1-mm, which typically occurs sometime in July. This year, the 38.1-mm mean length was reached on August 6. 2004 Summer Townet Survey (11/12/2004) 2003 Summer Townet Survey (1/28/2004) The 38.1-mm striped bass index for 2003 was 1.5. I’ve reviewed the Striped Bass Index back to the 1960's. It is safe to say that we had only one good year class in the last twenty years. This speaks clearly as to why CSPA’s efforts to restore the Delta and its food web is so critical to bringing back striped bass.
4.246.250.54
Striped Bass Advisory
A summary of the recent DFG’s surveys follows:
2006 TNS Striped Bass Index (8/18/2006)
The 2006 Summer Townet Survey index for striped bass is 0.5. This is the lowest index of record. Early information from the Summer Townet Survey indicated a stronger year class, but protracted spawning and the apparent mortality to several of the cohorts led to the low index.
The 38.1-mm striped bass index for 2004 was 0.8. This is the lowest index in the 45 year history of the TNS. The 38.1-mm index is set when the mean fork length of striped bass is 38.1-mm, which typically occurs sometime in July. This year, the 38.1-mm mean length was reached on July 13.
The 38.1-mm index is set when the mean fork length of striped bass is 38.1-mm, which typically occurs sometime in July. This year, the 38.1-mm mean length was reached on July 28.
If you want to support our efforts to keep this fishery around for future generations, join CSPA. If you’re a member, don’t forget to renew!
John Beuttler, Conservation Director
California Sportfishing Protection Alliance
510-526-4049
JBeuttler@aol.com
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