Originally Posted by
finchaser
This is also the first really successful year class since 2003, and it comes at a time when most signs have indicated the fishery was in real trouble
This is certainly a positive development for striped bass, and while this boost to the population is something to look forward to, it is also important to consider these points:
2.It will be 8 years before this year class will be 28 inches long and legally available to the coastal fishery. Long before then all but a few remnants of the 2003 year class, which provides most of the current coastal catch, will have died of old age. Current coastal commercial quotas and recreational harvest are clearly excessive considering the gap that exists between the 2003 and 2011 year classes.
Some states, especially those with commercial fisheries, will see this year’s Young of the Year survey as a solid excuse not to reduce fishing mortality on striped bass.