Despite Red Flags, Striped Bass Once Again See No Action From Fisheries Managers

The future of the struggling striped bass population is in peril after the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) voted for “status quo” management on Oct. 29, neglecting alarming red flags for the species. 

At its quarterly meeting in Dewey Beach, Delaware, members of ASMFC’s Striped Bass Management Board did not make any changes for the 2026 fishing season. Notably, the Board voted against a coastwide 12 percent reduction for commercial and recreational fishing removals. This decision makes it clear the striped bass population will not rebuild by 2029—a management plan requirement from when the species was declared overfished in 2019. 

In 2024, ASMFC’s Technical Committee released an updated striped bass stock assessment. The study projected that the striped bass population is unlikely to rebuild to a healthy level without ASMFC action to reduce fishing by at least 12 percent. In response, the Board initiated draft Addendum III, which outlined various recreational and commercial fisheries management options along the Atlantic Coast and within the Chesapeake Bay.  

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) annual juvenile survey, striped bass experienced below average spawning success for the seventh consecutive year in 2025. The Chesapeake Bay is a critical nursery for striped bass, where more than 70 percent of striped bass spawn. 

To provide striped bass the best possible chance of recovery, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) urged ASMFC to implement the coastwide 12 percent reduction, as well as reform critical seasonal closures in the Chesapeake Bay.  

However, despite overwhelming red flags, the Board voted to maintain status quo management for striped bass. Out of 16 votes, only Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and North Carolina voted to support the more conservative 12 percent reduction. 

The Board did grant Maryland the opportunity to revisit its recreational fishing seasons through a state-level regulatory process, rather than selecting any of the Maryland fishing season options presented in Addendum III. This action will allow Maryland additional time to find a path forward to define new fishing seasons. The State will choose between maintaining current fishing seasons or instituting the proposed baseline “reset” for 2026. 

CBF Maryland Executive Director Allison Colden issued the following statement: 

“This is a concerning day for striped bass. ASMFC cast aside an important opportunity to meaningfully protect this iconic species. It’s clear the Board has no intention of rebuilding the striped bass population by 2029 and has chosen to deviate from its commitment to the fishery management plan. Now Maryland must step up to fill the gap and set fishing seasons that will best protect this species for future generations.”  

CBF Virginia Executive Director Chris Moore issued the following statement: 

“Our surveys in the Bay all point to a looming disaster, and our fishery in Virginia has all but dried up because there are so few striped bass around. Sadly, ASMFC is not listening to the science or anglers and continues to leave the future of striped bass up to chance.”