Chesapeake Bay
The Chesapeake Bay, like Verdigre Creek, has challenges that it is facing.
A nice early morning striper, fishing structure...
Only a handful of commercial boats still prowl Virginia's side of the Chesapeake in search of menhaden. They are large boats, though, and are supported by a fleet of aircraft who act as spotters, directing the boats to the pods of baitfish. Menhaden fishing is still legal in Virginia and North Carolina.
Menhaden are the most important prey species for striped bass in the Chesapeake that are two years and older. From November to February, stripers prey almost exclusively on them. During the spring and early summer, young spot, older white perch and various marine worms become a larger share of the striped bass diet. Although menhaden constituted a smaller portion of the diets during the mid-late summer months as compared to winter, they still contributed 25 to 50 percent.
Menhaden, also know as bunker, numbers are dwindling, but hanging on. Since 2000, the average geometric mean catch per haul of Atlantic menhaden has been .68. In 1967, the geometric mean haul was 16.67, in 2005, it hit a ten year high of 1.40. It has dwindled significantly since the sixties but the numbers are remaining steady with a slight upward trend over the last couple of years. The question is, can the population support a fleet of commercial boats with large purse seines? Between the commercial fishing pressure and environmental pressures, it will be a tough time for bunker.
The striped bass population, in contrast, came roaring back in the 90's after a moratorium on fishing the species. In 1996, the geometric mean haul was a whopping 17.61, the highest since the Maryland DNR began sampling in the 50's. The fishery was astounding during the nineties.
But recent droughts have reduced the numbers. It hit a fifteen year low in 2006 and broke that low in 2008 when it dipped to 1.26. Disease is also threatening the population and is spreading beyond the Chesapeake. The occurrence of mycobacteriosis was first noted by in 1997. Previous outbreaks of mycobacteriosis in wild striped bass have occurred in Pacific estuaries.
A nice late morning striper on the flats...
A nice speckled trout, the mouth of the Rappahannock is about the absolute northern end of their range.
Osprey have made a big comeback since the ban on DDT.
A nice early morning striper, fishing structure...
Only a handful of commercial boats still prowl Virginia's side of the Chesapeake in search of menhaden. They are large boats, though, and are supported by a fleet of aircraft who act as spotters, directing the boats to the pods of baitfish. Menhaden fishing is still legal in Virginia and North Carolina.
Menhaden are the most important prey species for striped bass in the Chesapeake that are two years and older. From November to February, stripers prey almost exclusively on them. During the spring and early summer, young spot, older white perch and various marine worms become a larger share of the striped bass diet. Although menhaden constituted a smaller portion of the diets during the mid-late summer months as compared to winter, they still contributed 25 to 50 percent.
Menhaden, also know as bunker, numbers are dwindling, but hanging on. Since 2000, the average geometric mean catch per haul of Atlantic menhaden has been .68. In 1967, the geometric mean haul was 16.67, in 2005, it hit a ten year high of 1.40. It has dwindled significantly since the sixties but the numbers are remaining steady with a slight upward trend over the last couple of years. The question is, can the population support a fleet of commercial boats with large purse seines? Between the commercial fishing pressure and environmental pressures, it will be a tough time for bunker.
The striped bass population, in contrast, came roaring back in the 90's after a moratorium on fishing the species. In 1996, the geometric mean haul was a whopping 17.61, the highest since the Maryland DNR began sampling in the 50's. The fishery was astounding during the nineties.
But recent droughts have reduced the numbers. It hit a fifteen year low in 2006 and broke that low in 2008 when it dipped to 1.26. Disease is also threatening the population and is spreading beyond the Chesapeake. The occurrence of mycobacteriosis was first noted by in 1997. Previous outbreaks of mycobacteriosis in wild striped bass have occurred in Pacific estuaries.
A nice late morning striper on the flats...
A nice speckled trout, the mouth of the Rappahannock is about the absolute northern end of their range.
Osprey have made a big comeback since the ban on DDT.
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