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by Ed Cherry
(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association September 2004 Newsletter)
As of August 1, 2004, the most current information available indicates for the same time period, the 2004 reduction catch from Reedsville and Beaufort combined is 73,166 total metric tons versus 50,394 total metric tons for 2003. This represents a net increase of 45.1% for year-to-year comparison. It also represents a 39.2% increase over the 5 year average.
The age breakdown consists of 6% age1 fish, 84% age 2 fish and 10% on fish 3 years and older. Thus, 90% of the catch is age 2 or less fish. The age 1 and 2 fish are the fish preferred in the diets of the adult striped bass. Is there any wonder that there is a perceived forage shortage, a rampant starvation problem and high stress level in the striped bass population of Chesapeake Bay as well as a high level of mycobacterium infection within the same striped bass population?
Although statistics are not presently available for 2004 on the location of the catches, in 2003, 76+% of the catch came from the Chesapeake Bay.
