[From the U.S. Government Printing Office, www.gpo.gov]





                                  STRIPED BASS MONITORINY



                                                   By


                                            Stephen D. Taylor
                                                  and
        57@                                  H. Craig Hardy
          I


        _J    C<)




                                North Carolina Department of Environment,
                                      Health, and Natural Resources





                                       Division of Marine Fisheries
                                       Morehead City, NC .28557




                                        Final Report, Project F-53

                                              March 1994



              QL
              638     ct was conducted under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act
              M678    )hnson Act) through the Wallop-Breaux Amendment, andfunded, in part, by
              T39     )epartment of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service, under Project No. F-53.
              1994











                                                      ABSTRACT


              Project F-53 updates and  compliments the historical long-term monitoring database for the
              Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River stock of striped bass (Morone saxatilis). Annual juvenile
              striped bass sampling was conducted at seven trawl stations in.western Albemarle Sound
              July-October, 1992-1993. Nine seine stations in the western sound were initiated in 1993.
              The 1992 index remained low while the 1993 index was the highest ever (44.5). The
              Albemarle Sound commercial fishery was sampled for the 1992-1993 season, to determine
              size, age and composition.  'The catch was dominated by the age IV (1989 year class) fish.
              In 1993, a cooperative effort to assess the age composition of the Atlantic migratory stock
              overwintering off North Carolina and Virginia was conducted in which a total of 530 striped
           @,.%'bass was tagged.:The percentage ofyear class composition was equally distributed with the
              1984, 1985 and 1988 year classes each contributing approximately 20% of the total.
              Sampled fish of the Atlantic Ocean commercial catch was dominated by the 1983,1984, and
              1985 (age X, IX, and VIII) year classes with each contributing over 20% of the total catch.
              Five hundred and sixty seven adult striped bass were tagged in the Albemarle, Croatan and
              Roanoke sounds from October 1992 through April 1993 to determine resource utilization and
              migration. A return rate of 4.6% has been determined. During spring 1993, 2,452 adult
              striped bass participating in the spawning migration in the Roanoke River area were tagged.
              A return rate of 2.7% has been determined, with recreational anglers accounting for 39.21/0
              of the returns. During the project, 209,876 Phase 11 striped bass were released in coastal
              North Carolina. Of the total, 14,971 were tagged prior to stocking, and 317 (2.1 %) have
              been returned.











                                               TABLE 0   F CONTENTS


             ABSTRACT     .......................................................


             TABLE OF CONTENTS        ..............................................                    iii

             NEED    ...........................................................                        1

             JOB 1: JUVENILE ABUNDANCE          .........................................               1
             Procedures   ......................................................                        3
             Discussion   *'***'**'*''**''**'*'''******''****'***''*****'''*                      ... * 3
               Western Albemarle Sound Survey - 1992       .............      ..................        3
               Central Albemarle Sound Survey - 1992     ................................               6
               Albemarle Sound Seine Survey - 1993       .................................              6
               Western Albemarle Sound Survey - 1993       .........................           ......   6
               Central Albemarle Sound Survey - 1993     ................................               6

             JOB 2: ASSESSMENT OF ADULT STRIPED BASS            .................                       9
             Procedures   ...................                                                           9
               Albemarle Sound Area Commercial Harvest       ..............................             9
               Contribution of Year Class   ..........................................                  9
               Atlantic Ocean Migratory Stock     .....................................               10
             Discussion   .....................................................                       10
               Albemarle Sound Area Commercial Harvest       .............................            10
               Contribution of Year Class   .........................................                 12
               Atlantic Ocean Migratory Stock     .....................................               17
                 Commercial Harvest-Winter .1992-1993      ...............................            17
                 Recreational Harvest 1992-1993      ...................................              17
                 North Carolina Cooperative Tagging Surveys     ...........................           17

             JOB 3: ADULT STRIPED BASS CONTRIBUTION AND UTILIZATION                 .............     22
             Procedures   .....................................................                       22
               Adult Striped Bass-Albemarle and Croatan Sound Areas       ....................        22
               Adult Striped Bass-Roanoke River Delta Area     ............................           22
               Roanoke River Spawning Run     .......................................                 24
             Discussion   ..........    i.....   ******''*****''*      .......   * .... " ... **  -   25
               Albemarle and Croatan Sound    Areas - 1990 Tagging/Returns    .................       25
               Albemarle and Croatan Sound    Areas - 1991 Tagging/Returns    .................       25
               Albemarle and Croatan Sound    Areas - 1992 Tagging/Returns    .................       25
               Albemarle Sound Independent Gill Net Survey 19 90-19 91 -Tagging /Returns     .......  27
               Albemarle Sound Independent Gill Net Survey 1991-1992-Tagging/Returns         .......  27
               Albemarle Sound Independent Gill Net Survey 1992-1993-Tagging/Returns         .......  27
               Roanoke River Spawning Run - 1991 Tagging/Returns         .....................        29
               Roanoke River Spawning Run - 1992 Tagging/Returns         ......................       29
               Roanoke River Spawning Run - 1993 Tagging/Returns         .....................        29
               Batchelor Bay Area - 1990 Pound Net Tagging/Returns                                    32
               Fall-Winter 1992-1993 Hook and Line Tagging in Albem,a;le*'So*un*d'                    32
               Summary of Adult Tagging, September 1992-August 1993         ..................        32








              -JOB 4:  EVALUATION OF COASTAL STRIPED BASS STOCKING                  ................     34
              Procedures   .................        *.....................................               35
              Discussion .          - - - 1.......     .......  ............................             35
                Albemarle So*u'n* d A'rea-1 990 Through 199 2  .............................             35
                Neuse River Area - 1990 and 1992       ...................................               38
                Pamlico River Area - 1991     ..........................................                 41


              RECOMMENDATIONS           .............................................                    43


              ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS            ..............................................                 43


              LITERAT  URE CITED    ...............       .................     p.    .............      44




















































                                                             iv








               STATE.: North Carolina                                      PROJECT NO: F-53'


                                                                           SEGMENT NO: 1


               TITLE: Striped Bass Monitoring                              PERIOD:1 Sep 1992 - 31 Aug 1993



               OBJECTIVE: To monitor the status of striped bass stocks in North Carolina and to provide
               annual comprehensive recommendations for management through 1995.


               NEED:   Based on conclusions and recommendations of Project AFS-26 North Carolina Striped
               Bass (Taylor and Hardy 1993) and the North Carolina Striped Bass Study Management Board
               (NCSBSMB) Report to Congress (199 1), continuation of some specific components of these
               prior projects in the form of Project F-53, North Carolina Striped Bass Monitoring provided the
               biological data necessary for monitoring the status of striped bass in North Carolina, as well
               as along the Atlantic Coast. Long-term size, age, sex composition, and juvenile abundance
               databases for striped bass have allowed the North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF)
               to monitor changes in population levels and age composition as well as monitor the relative

               commercial and recreational utilization of the harvestable stock. L This information was

               essential in establishing and evaluating rules and regulations such as area or seasonal
               closures, fishing means and    methods, minimum size limits,     and catch limits that were
               implemented to maximize the    potential for restoring the striped bass stock(s).



               JOB 1: JUVENILE ABUNDANCE INDEX

               OBJECTIVE: Establish a juvenile abundance index (JAI) by conducting standardized bi-
               weekly trawl sampling at 19 established stations in western and central Albemarle Sound that
               are supplemented with weekly seine sampling one month prior to the trawl work.



                                                       PROCEDURES

               Biological staff conducted weekly seine samples at nine previously established locations in the
               western Albemarle Sound area (Figure 1). A 60 foot bag seine with a 6.35 mm (0.25 inch)
               stretched mesh body and 3.1 mm (0. 125 inch) stretched mesh bag was em          ployed. Seine
               sampling started 9 June 1993 and continued weekly until the second week of July, at which
               time, trawl sampling began.







                                   V





                                                                                                                      7

                                               cliawan
                                                River-


                                                     US 17
                                                                         Ederston
                                                                         Bay



                                                                              2

                                                                                           3-



                                                                                                  NC 32
                                                                     ALBEMARLE     SOUND                         5



                                    NC 45









                                                                   sialion







                                               NORTH CAROLINA

                                                INGIrtma LOCATION or

                                                ALD#N&Ntt SOUND





                                WINt"14110                              VA UVIAIIX            f%
                                                                                     poor"     0
                                                                                                     ATLANTIC OCIAN



                                                                           "Int
                                                                              A
                                                          PEROUPMANS



                                            CHOWAN          TROPIN                    C
                                            Seven           a1 0
                                                                             E          *K
                                                                    F  A19EMARtl SOUND
                                                                  G      H'       *j
                                         CAI-11 11ITIN                                   *L

                                                                  SCUPPIP"ONO

                                      OAWO   A to      VIL.TIPOU?14                        :LLI Avon      0
                                                                                            ITIO.          a



                                                                                                        "Ottro eau"D
                                                               Station





               Figure 1.   Station  locations. for young-of-year striped bass sampling utilizing a trawl in the
                           western Albemarle Sound        (top) and the central Albemarle Sound (bottom)          areas,
                           NC, 1992-093'

                                                                      2









               Bi-weekly trawl samples   were   conducted   at seven  established locations in the western
               Albemarle Sound area and    12 established locations in the central sound area, annually July
               through October (Figure 2). An 18 ft semi-balloon trawl with a 38.1 mm 0.5 inch) stretched
               mesh body and 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) stretched mesh cod end was employed and tow times

               were 15 minutes in the western sound and 10 minutes in the central sound.



               All captured striped bass were cou nted and measured to the nearest mm fork length (FL) and
               total length (TQ; other species were also counted and measured. Water temperature and
               salinity were recorded for each sample.


               Relative abundance was determined from the seine samples. An index of juvenile abundance
               was calculated for the trawl surveys in the western and central areas. These indices were
               compared with previous years. Data from this study was entered into the DMF Biological

               Database.

                                                       DISCUSSION

               The objectives of all jobs in this section for both    1992 and 1993 have been met and
               completed. The results of 1992 and 1993 data are discussed below.



               Western Albemarle Sound Survey - 1992
               During the July-October   1992 sampling period,    56 samples were taken at seven sites      in
               western Albemarle Sound (Table 1). One hundred forty-four young-of-year striped bass were
               captured in these samples yielding a JAI of 2.57, the third highest recorded since 1982 (Table
               2). Since 1982, only two year classes (1988 and 1989) were higher than the 1992 year
               class. Continuous efforts to adhere to the flow regime recommended b     y the Roanoke River
               Water Flow Committee (RRWFC) in 1988 seem to have aided in this relatively high JAI.
               During May when the majority of the egg production occurred, Roanoke River flows were
               within the negotiated water flow regime (Rulifson and Manooch, 1991). High flows, both
               early and late in the flow augm'entation period, may have hampered the establishment of a
               productive nursery area and subsequent juvenile survival.










                                                              3

















                                                    Chowan
                                                     River



                                                           US 17
                                                          Bridge                 Edenton
                                                                                   Bay
                                                                                       9





                                                             2
                                                                                                    7





                                                              3
                                                                                                                 NC 32
                                                                                                                  Bridge.
                                                                             ALBEMARLE         SOUND




                                       NC45
                                        Bridge
                                                                      5








                                                                             Station







                  Figure 2.  Station locations for young-of-year striped bass utilizing bag seine in the western Albernar








                 Table      Number of young-of -year striped bass  captured by semi-balloon  trawl in western Albemarle" Sound, NC,
                            by station, July-October 1992.


                                                                       Station number

                   Date                 1         2            3             4           5            6           7        Total


                   15 Jul               2         3            0             1           1            0           0           7

                   28 Jul               0         15           10            6           0            0           0           31

                   10 Aug               0.        45           0             6           0            1           0           52
                   27 Aug               1         3            6             8           0            0           1           19
                   08 Sep               0         0            24            0           0            0           0.          24
                   22 Sep               0         0            2             0           3            1           0           6

                   08 Oct               0         0            0             1           0            0           1           2

                   22 Oct               0         0            0             0           1            1           1           3

                   Total                3         66           42            22          5            3           3           144








                                   Table 2.   JAI catch matrix for seven stations in western Albemarle Sound, NC,
                                              1992.



                                     Date                              Stations          Fish           JAI

                                     15 Jul                                  7           '7             1.0

                                     28 Jul                                  7           31             4.4

                                     Monthly Subtotal                        14.         38             2.7


                                     10 Aug                                  7           52             7.4

                                     27 Aug                                  7           19             2.7

                                     Monthly  Subtotal                       14          71             5.1


                                     08 Sep                                  7           24             3.4

                                     22 Sep                                  7           6              .86

                                     Monthly  Subtotal                       14          30             2.1


                                     08 Oct                                  7           2              .29

                                     22 Oct                                  7           3              .43

                                     Monthly  Subtotal                       14          5              .36

                                     Total                                   56          144            2.57





                                                                             5







                Central Albemarle'sound Survey - 1992
                During July-October 1992, a total of 84 trawl samples was taken in the central survey area.
                Thirty-six young-of-year striped bass were captured producing a CPUE of 0.43. The central
                sound survey continued to yield few    juveniles compared to the western area.


                Albemarle Sound Seine Survey -    1993
                A total -of .1,1129 @young-of-year striped bass was caught in 54 samples for a CPUE of 20.9
                :(Figure 3). --@The 1993 seine sampling ;accurately forecasted the number of young-of-year
                striped bass captured during the trawl sampling. The 1993 spring flow seemed extremely
                high on the Roanoke River to produce a favorable spawn, but despite this fact, a record year
                for egg (estimated 24 billion) and juvenile production took place (R. Rulifson, ECU ICIVIR, pers.
                comm.). Apparently, adults from the 1988 and 1989 year classes were a supportive factor

                in these numbers.



                Western Albemarle Sound     Survey - 1993

                The JAI for 1993 was 44.5 based on 2,494 striped bass caught in 56 samples (Table 3).
                This JAI was the highest ever recorded in the Albemarle Sound area. In only two other years,
                1959 and 1967,'has the JAI exceeded 20.


                The monthly JAIs for 1993 are shown in Table 4. The increased JAI could be attributed tP
                both the beneficial effects of water flow modification of the Roanoke River reservoir system
                and favorable water quality conditions. Despite the flows being high, they remained stable
                throughout the peak spawning period. This parallels the conditions in 1989 when a high index
                (4.3 JAI), was recorded. Olsen and Rulifson (1991), reported that 95% of five year old
                females, 93% of four year old females, and 44% of three year old females were sexually
                mature at these ages. This suggests that a rather large number of females could be
                @contributing to the large number of eggs,this year, as witnessed by Rulifson's egg study on
                the Roanoke River. The,1993 JAI has also been attributed to stable Roanoke River flows,
                striped bass harvest limitations, and favorable water quality.



                Central Albemarle Sound Survey - 1993
                During July-October 1993, 84 trawl samples were taken in the central Albemarle Sound.
                survey area. One thousand and forty three young-of-year striped bass were captured



                                                                6









                                 .70                                                                                    533/9
                                                                                                                         59.2
                                 60-

                             LU
                                 50 -
                             CL                                                                         @--309/9@1-.@
                                 40                                                                       34.3,
                                                                                          230/9

                              .e 30
                             U.1 -
                             LLI
                            3
                                 20
                                :              23/9           9/9           25/9
                                 10-           2.6                           2.8

                                    0
                                              Cb
                                                                                          5b
                                                                                                     sA,




                                                            WEEKLY DATES OF SAMPLING


                Figure 3. Catch-per-unit-effort values by week of young-of-year striped bass captured during seine sampling in the western
                          Albemarle Sound area, NC, 1993.    Bold numbers are number of fish per nine stations sampled, numbers below bold'
                          are the weekly CPUEs.








                  Table 3. Number of young-of -year striped ba   .ss captured* by*iemi-balloon.trawl in western' Albemarle Sound, NC,
                             by station, July-October 1993.


                                                                   Station  number

                    Date              1          2           3         4           5             6            7            Total

                    13 Jul            1          0        244        is            37            8        136              441

                    27 Jul          60         15            6       30            19          38         471              .639

                    11 Aug          20         18         83           5           2           43           17             188

                    23 Aug          28           4        38        102            0           11             4            187

                    07 Sep          13         27         51         60            2           23             7            183

                    23 Sep          13         14         65        278            2           27             6            405

                    05 Oct            1        49         84        148            7           11             1            301

                    19 Oct            3        16         16         24            6           19           66             150

                    Total          139        143         587       662            75         180         708              2494









                                    Table4. JAI catch matrix for seven stations in western Albemarle Sound, NC,
                                               1993.



                                      Date                          Stations       Fish              JAI

                                      13 Jul                            7          441               63.0

                                      27 Jul                            7          639               91.3

                                      Monthly Subtotal                 14          1080              77.1


                                      11 Aug                            7          188               26.9

                                      23 Aug                            7          187               26.7

                                      Monthly  Subtotal                14          375               26.8


                                      07 Sep                            7          183               26.1

                                      23 Sep                            7          405               57.9

                                      Monthly  Subtotal                14          588               42.0


                                      05 Oct                            7          301               43.0

                                      19 Oct                            7          150               21.4

                                      Monthly  Subtotal                14          451               32.2

                                      Total                            56          2494              44.5





                                                                          8







               producing a CPUE of 12.4.  The 1993 central sound survey produced    the highe,s-t Mi. since
               DMF started this survey in  1984. The 1989 CPUE of 3.65 (307 fish/84 samples) was the
               only other year in which a    signific,ant number -of juveniles was captured. Flow into the
               Albemarle Sound, principally from the Roanoke River affects the striped bass nursery area
               location and distribution of larvae within the sound on a yearly basis (Rulifson and Manooch,
               .1991, Taylor and Hardy 1993). For 1993, the increase in abundance of juveniles observed
             _Jn the central sound was an overflow of the juvenile production and survival observed in the
               western Albemarle Sound nursery area.



               JOB 2: ASSESSMENT OF ADULT STRIPED BASS HARVEST

               OBJECTIVE: Assess the adult striped bass harvest by examining up to 300 fish (90 per
               month randomly collected during the season) from three Albemarle Sound fishhouses, from
               various gears used in the ocean fishery (as practical), and from an interagency cooperative
               oceanic tagging study in order to determine the age/sex composition of those portions of the
               exploited stock.



                                                      PROCEDURES

               Albemarle Sound Area Commercial Harvest

               A total of ninety randomly selected striped bass was obtained monthly during the commercial
               season from three or more commercial fishhouses in the Albemarle Sound area. A target.Qf
               300 fish was sampled per year. The fish were measured to the nearest mm TL and weighed
               to the nearest 0.01 kg. Scale samples were removed from the left side of the body above the
               lateral line and below the gap between the spinous and soft dorsal fins. Sex was determined
               by the Syke's 0 958) method. Aging methods utilized during this study were employed to
               u
                pdate the database (Harriss et al. 1985).


               _Contribution of Year Class (Number of Individuals) to Harvest
               Striped bass from the Albemarle Sound commercial harvest, for which age, sex, and weight
               data were available, were placed in the appropriate year class for each month sampled from
               November 1992 through April 1993. The number of individuals of each year class were
               followed monthly through the sampling period. The number (N) of striped bass landed by
               month of each sex and age class was calculated by multiplying the landings (kg) by the
               percent weight of the landings made up of that sex and age class divided by mean weight of



                                                            9









              that sex for that year class during the month. To obtain the estimated number of individuals,
              the following calculations were performed:


              Number of individuals landed        Landings M X % of wt of sex of year class
                                                        wt of sex of year class


              To obtain % wt of sex, year class            wt of sex of each year class
                                                      wt of aff year classes, both sexes



              Atlantic Ocean Miaratory Stock

              North Carolina's ocean striped bass fishery is currently very limited, based on the Atlantic
              States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Striped
              Bass, Amendment 4 (1990). Striped bass were sampled when available from the various
              ocean fisheries (winter trawl, beach seine, gill net, and hook-and-line) as directed in
              Amendment 4. Fish were obtained from fishhouses or directly from fishermen. Striped bass
              were measured to the nearest mm TL, weighed to the nearest 0.01 kg, and sexed utilizing the
              Sykes (1958) method. Lengths and scales were also obtained from oceanic migratory striped
              bass captured during the Cooperative Tagging Survey conducted offshore North Carolina and
              Virginia through the joint efforts of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the U.S.
              Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), and
              DMF utilizing National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) vessels. Scale
              samples were taken in the same manner as described in the Albemarle Sound commercial

              harvest section.



              Scale samples from the North Carolina Cooperative Tagging Survey were processed and aged.
              Coded data from all scale samples was entered into the DMF Biological Database.



                                                       DISCUSSION

              Albemarle Sound Area Commercial Harvest

              A total of 477 striped bass was sampled from six fish dealers in the Albemarle Sound area
              (Figure 4) from November 1992 and February through April 1993. One hundred and seventy

              two were male and 305 were female for a sex ratio of 0.56:1. Scales from 464 fish were
              suitable for age determination.




                                                             10




             MIMI                    M M M M M MM M M.M IN






                                              NORTH CAROLINA

                                              SHOWING LOCATION OF

                                              ALBEMARLE SOUND







                           ME"ERRIN                                           PA  UOTANK
                           RIVER
                                                                                    IVER      WORTH
                                                                                                   IVER
                                                                                                                    AT



                                                                           LITTLE
                                                                                 IVER                           0i
                                                            PEROUMANS                                            0
                                                            RIVER





                                           CHOWAK              YEOPIM
                                           RIVER               %I








                                       CASHIE RIVER


                                                                        SCUPPERNO G
                                                                        RIVER

                                                                                                         ALLIGATOR
                                   ROANO    A ER
                                                                                                        RIVER



                                                                 commercial

                                                                 Fishhouse







                       Figure 4. Locations of Albemarle Sound area commercial fishhouses sampled November        1992









              Male striped bass ranged in length from 448 to 757 mrn 0 7 to 29 in) and weight from 1.07
              to 5.45 kg (2 to 12 lb). Female striped bas  s ranged in length and weight from 461 to 940
              mrn (18  to 37 in) and 1.1 to 7.04 kg (2 to 15 lb). Length-frequency distributions by sex for
              the 4-month period are presented in F   igure 5. Males in the 451-500 mm size group and
              females in the 501-550 mm size group dominated the samples. A portion of the commercial
              catch was subsampled for age according to Ketchen 0 950) and Harriss et al. 0 985).


             Table 5 summarizes the year ..class, -age,,and size data for striped bass, by sex, from the
              Albemarle Sound commercial fishery during November 1992and February through April 1993.
              Striped bass from the 1989 year class (age IV) were most abundant, comprising
              approximately 54.3% of the total   sample. The 1988 year class (age V) fish was 37.3% of
              the sample. These two year classes represent 91.6% of the commercial sample.


              The commercial fishhouse survey does evaluate size, age, and sex composition of the
              commercial harvest, meeting the objective of this job. However this evaluation is not
              representative of the composition of the entire. Albemarle-Roanoke stock.



              Contribution of Year Class (Number of Individuals) to Harvest
              The Albemarle Sound striped bass age and weight data for November 1992 and February
              through April of 1993 were used to estimate the number of individuals in the commercial
              harvest from each year class by month (Table 6). The 1989 year class dominated the striped
              bass harvest, contributing 51.9% of the individuals sampled from the commercial harvest
              (Table 7). The estimated percentage contribution of the 1988 (34.5%) and 1        989(51.9%)
              year classes (age   V and IV) was 86.4%. The 1987 (age VO and older year classes
              contributed 9.9% to the commercial harvest. The percentage of age VI and older fish was
              higher than that reported by Henry et al. 0 992a) for 1986-1990 (0.6 to 8.5%). The above
            *:.,.data combined with the low contribution of the'1990 year class (3.7%) reflects the directed
              effort on the 1989 and older year classes due to mesh size requirements and minimum size
              limits. In addition, the percentage contribution by year class of the commercial harvest is
              affected by fishermen culling for larger fish due to daily harvest restrictions limiting the
              number of fish which may be landed. A comparison of data from the Striped Bass
              Independent Survey, Project F-48 (Henry et. al 1992b) forthe same period reflectsthe effects





                                                            12







                                250-
                                                                                                              male     (N=172)-@
                                                                                                              Female      (N=305)
                                                              201                                                                                 J,
                                200-



                           LL
                                150-


                           LN
                           (D
                                                 102
                           E 10    '0


                                                          58
                                                     so
                                                         >00(
                                                         >OOK
                                @50                      >00<         40
                                                         XX>




                                                                               7
                                                                   5                    3       3    2
                                                                                    2
                                   0                                 F_
                                        *425 475 525 575'625                       675      725     775:825          875      925@..
                                                                      mid-point of size group
                                                                    Total      Length (mm)
                                                 O<X
                                                 <XX
                                                 00(
                                                 00(
                                                 O(X
                                                 <XX
                                                             X



























                                                         >0<@K










               Figure 5.   Length-frequency distribution of striped1bass, by sex, from commercial dealers, Albemarle Sound, NC,    November
                           1992 through April 1993.












                  Table 5. Number, percent, mean length, mean weight, and standard deviation at age, by sex, for striped bass sampled f rorn North Carolina commercial catch,
                             Albemarle Sound, November 1992 and February through April 1993.



                                                                                                      Total lenath (mm)                              Total weiaht (ka)
                                                 Number            Percent of total              Mean                      SD                 Mean                    SID

                    Year
                    class        Age                      F          M           F           M           F           M           F                    F         M           F
                    1990         111         15         2         3.2        0.5        469.4*        478.5       6.06        24.75      1.280     1.35      0.11       0.35

                    1989         IV          125        127       27.2       27.1       495.7         503.4*      22.73*      25.49*     1.51      1.50*     0.23*      0.23*.

                    1988         V           22         153       4.7        33.0       543.0         547.50      27.00       35.72*     1.91      1.90*     0.30       0.43

                    1987         VI          3          9         0.6        2.0        645.6         636.7       52.73       37.42      3.47      2.69      0.45       0.39
                    1986         Vil         1          3         0.2        0.7        723.0         668.0       -           36.37      4.36      3.46      -          1.46

                    1985         Vill        1          1         0.2        0.2        757           729         -           -          5.15      4.65      -          -

                    1984         IX          1          1         0.2        0.2        753           941         -                      5.45      7.04      -

                    Subtotal                 168        296

                    Total                           464



                    Mean and standard deviation    calculated from subsample.










                  Table 6. Estimated contribution by         year  class   of the striped bass   harvest from the Albemarle Sound, NC
                              commercial fishery by sex,     by month, November 1992 and February through April 1993.


                                                                Male                             Female

                                       Year                        Number of                           Number of          Total number of
                   Month               class        Percent        individuals         Percent         individuals            individuals

                   November            1990         16.7                 48                -                  0                     48
                                       1989         66.2              190                  6.3              49                    239
                                       1988         17.1                 49              56.2             440                     489
                                       1987                                0             25.0             196                     196
                                       1986                                0             12.5               98                    .98

                   February            1990          7.7              283                  1.9            134                     417
                                       1989         53.8            1,978                51.0           3,675                  5,653
                                       1988         23.2              852                37.3           2,688                  3,540
                                       1987          3.8              140                  5.9            429                     569
                                       1986          3.8              141                  1.9            135                     276
                                       1985          3.8              139                  2.0            141                     280
                                       1984          3.9              143                  -                  0                   143

                   March               1990          8.9              217                  2.0            108                     325
                                       1989         68.3            1,660                45.9           2,546                  4,206
                                       1988         13.8              335                46.1           2,559                  2,894
                                       1987          9.0              219                  4.0            219                     438
                                       1984           -                    0               2.0            110                     110

                   April               1989         84.9              722                46.2             255                     977
                                       1988         15.1              128                53.8             297                     425


                   Total                                            7,244-                             14,079                  21,323


                  December 1992, January 1993, and May through August 1993 fishery closed, no samples taken.




























                                                                                15









                     Table 7. Estimated contribution                by' 'year   c I a ss' of the' striped bass-      harvest    from the Albemarle Sound, NC
                                   commercial fishery by sex, November                  1992 and February through April 1993.


                                                                                                                                                           Percent of
                        Year class              Age                   Male                              Female                     Total number                total

                        1990                      111                 548                                 242                          790                         3.7

                        1989                      IV                4,550                               6,535                       11,075                        51.9

                        1988                      V                 1,364                               5,984                         7,348                       34.5

                        1987                      VI                  359                                 .844                        1,203                        5.6

                        1986                     VII                  -141                                                             .374                        1.8

                        1985                    Vill                  139                                 141                          280                         1.3

                        1984                      IX                  143                                 110                          253                         1.2


                        Total                                       7,244                              14,079                       21,323









                     Table 8. Year class composition of striped bass sampled from the Striped Bass Independent Survey in the
                                   Albemarle Sound, NC, November 1992 and February through April 1993.


                        Year Class                                           Age                          Total number                        Percent of total

                        1991                                                   R                                 103                                     14.8

                        1990                                                   111                               127                                     18.2

                        1989                                                   IV                                430                                     61.7

                        1988                                                   V                                   30                                     4.3

                        1987                                                   VI                                    3                                     .4

                        1986                                                 Vii                                     2                                     .3

                        1985                                                 Vill                                    2                                     .3

                                                                                                                 697                                   100.0




















                                                                                               16









              of these restrictions and fishing practices (Table 8). -The fishery independent data is more
              representative of the Albemarle Soundyear class composition.


              ATLANTIC OCEAN MIGRATORY STOCK

              Commercial Harvest-Winter 1992-1993
              The Atlantic Ocean commercial season opened 15 December 1992 and continued through 31
             warch 1993. -Two hundred a      nd eighty-eight fish were sampled to determine the size,, age,
              and sex composition of the harvest (Table 9). The 1983 (age X), 1984 (age IX), and 1985
              (age Vill) year classes, sexes combined,.each contributed over 20%, to a total of 70.8%
              (Table 9). These data reflect the broad range of available year classes and reconfirms the
              abundance of the 1982-1986 ye      ar classes. This abundance is the result of the ongoing
              implementation of coastwide striped bass conservation efforts. Length-frequency distributions
              for male and female fish sampled during    the 1992-1993 season are presented in Figure 6.
              A sex ratio of 0.85:1, male to female was determined. The distribution reflect harvested fish
              in excess of the 28 in (711 mm) minimum size limit. Striped bass in the 701-750 mm size
              interval were the most abundant males, while females were most abundant in the 751-800
              mm size interval. Males ranged in length from 601-971 mm (23.6 to 38.2 in) and weighed 2.6
              to 12.6 kg (5.7 to 21.8 lb). Female fish ranged in length and weight from 706 to 1,299 mm
              (27.6 to 56.1 in) and 3.9 to 26.8 kg (8.6 to 59.1 lb).



              Recreational Harvest 1992-1993

              The Atlantic Ocean recreational season, was open 15 December 1992 through 31 March
              1993, with a 28 inch TL minimum size limit and a one fish/day creel limit. The minimum size
              limit and creel were based on guidelines established by ASMFC Amendme           nt No. 4. An
              insignificant number of striped bass were landed in the recreational fishery, of which only one
              fish was sampled.


              North Carolina Coooerative Tagainci Surveys
              During the 1-9 February 1993 Cooperative Tagging Survey, 581 striped bass were meas         ured
              and released from Cape Henry, VA-to Cape Hatteras, NC (Figure 7). Five hundred and thirty
              (91 %) of these iish were tagged with USFWS internal anchor tags. Fish ranged in size from
              439 to 995 mm TL (17.3 to 39.1 in) (Figure 8). Two fish, tagged on previous cruises.were
              recaptured and 34 fish scanned Coded Wire Tag positive. Scale samples from 227 striped



                                                             17









                 Table 9. Number, percent, mean length, mean weight, and standard deviation at age, by sex, for striped bass sampled commercially, from the Atlantic
                            Ocean, December 1992 and January through March 1993.


                                                                                                  Total lenoth (mm)                             Total weiaht Mal
                                                  Number          Percent of total             Mean                    SD                   Mean_                    SD

                   Year
                   class         Age         M           F          M          F          M           F           M          F          M          F          M           F

                   1987            VI        10            4        7.5        2.6       688         747       48          10.8         3.93       4.51       0.85        0.07
                   1986           Vil        17          20       12.8       12.9        735         763       41.7        56.7         4.91       5.08       0.51        1.6

                   1985          Vill        36          33       27.1       21.3        762         790       46.1        53.8         5.80       5.80       1.01        1.27

                   1984           'IX        28          44       21.0       28.4        774         831       49.7        68.4         6.04       6.81       1.18        1.63

                   1983            X         33          30       24.8       19.4        812         884       72.7        78.4         6.93       8.29       1.57        2.20

                   1982            X1          7         14         5.3        9.0       842         956       117         70.2         9.37       9.66       2.35        2.70

                   1981           X11          2           4        1.5        2.6       926         893          1.41   112            9.54       8.54       0.46        2.49

        00         1980           X111         0           1        -          0.6         -         1076         -                   17.5
                   1979          XIV           0           1        -          0.6         -         1117         -                   16.6

                   1977          XVI           0           1        -          0.6         -         1162         -          -        18.1

                   1976          Xvil          0           3        -          1.9         -         1228         -        62.4         -        23.3                     2.53

                   Total                    133         155









                        70-
                                                                                       01VIale (N=133)
                                         61                                            0 Fe   Imale (N=157
                        60-              00



                        50-


                    U.
                                                  39
                        40 -


                                             31
                                                                    28
                    M   30-                                    27

                                                23
                                                      22
                    z                           >0(
                        20-

                                                         13
                                    12

                                                                           8
                        10-
                                                            7
                                                                  5
                                                                                 3     3
                                                                        2                          2
                                                                                                  F771
                          0
                               *625  675   726   775   825   875   925   975  1025 '1075 1125   1175  1225  1275
                                                            mid-point of size group
                                                       Total, Length           (mm)
              Figure 6. Length-frequency distribution of striped bass sampled during the North Carolina Atlantic Ocean commercial season,.
                        December 1992 through March 1993.
























                                                                                                  rr














                                                                                 sampling
                                                                                   area























                                                   e                 ere tagged and released during the
                Figure 7. Map showing   location wh're striped. bass w     off Virginia and North
                                                              ging Survey
                          1993 North Carolina Cooperative Tag
                          Carolina.












                                                                                  139
                                   140-
                                                                                                                   N=577
                                                                          128

                                   120-


                                                                                                       legal SIZO 28 Inchon (TL)
                                   100-


                               U.
                                                                   77
                               0    80-
                                                                                        4,
                                                                  ....                    66

                                    60-

                                                             8
                               z                            4

                                                                                                 40
                                    40-
                                                                                  .... .... ......
                                                                                                         28
                                                    19                                                           18
                                    20-

                                                                                                                         9
                                             2
                                                                                                                                 3
                                      0    lz@
                                           *425    475 525        575     625    675     725    775     825    1875    925,    975
                                                                           M/01-'O OInt of S/ze glogo
                                                                         Total   Length (mm)
                    Figure 8.  Length-frequency distribution of striped  bass sampled off North Carolina and Virginia during the North Carolina
                               Cooperative Tagging Survey, February 1993.








              bass were suita  ble fo r ag e deItermination..The year cl ass com  position from these fish are
              presented in Table 10. The 1984, 1985, and 1988 (ages IX, Vill, and V) year classes
              comprised 59% of the total. Information on stock composition, migration, and growth rates
              gained from this survey is utilized in the coastwide striped bass management and restoration
              efforts coordinated by the ASMFC.


              DMF data on age distribution from the 1992-1993 commercial harvest is similar to the 1993
              Cooperative Tagging Survey data. Both surveys found the majority of the fish to be from the
              1983 through 1985 year classes. These data reflect the broad range of available      year classes
              and continues to confirm the abundance of the 1982-1986 year classes.


              JOB 3: ADULT STRIPED BASS CONTRIBUTION AND UTILIZATION
              OBJECTIVE: Assess the utilization and contribution to the ocean migratory stock of striped
              bass which overwinter in Croatan and Albemarle sounds and participate in the Roanoke River
              spawning run by tagging some 1,000 total fis     h annually and analyzing the returns.



                                                        PROCEDURES

              Adult Striped Bass - Albemarle and Croatan Sound Areas
              During November - March, adult striped bass were captured for tagging. The primary capture
              methods were pound nets, hook-and-line, and gill nets. Lengths (mm, TQ were recorded from
              all striped bass tagged. Water temperature and salinity were recorded each fishing day. Fish
              which appeared healthy were marked with individually applied internal anchor tags. Tags
              were inserted in the abdominal cavity on the left side just behind the pectoral fin. Fish were
              released immediately upon tagging. A target of up to 500 fish was to be marked and released
              annually from the Albemarle and Croatan sound areas.



            ..-.Adult Striped Bass - Roanoke River Delta Area
              During April - June, adult striped bass which were perceived to be participating in the spring
              spawning migration were     to be captured and tagged in the Batchelor Bay area of western
              Albemarle Sound near the mouth of Roanoke River.



              Fish were to be captured by pound net and hook-and-line, with pound nets being the primary
              capture method. Length (mm, TO was to be collected from all tagged fish. Water



                                                               22
















                        Table 10. Percent year class composition of striped bass collected along the North Carolina and
                                  Virginia coast, February 1993 during the Cooperative Tagging Survey.


                         Year class                                 N                     Percent of total

                         1990                                       1                            0.4

                         1989                                                                    8.4

                         1988                                     45                            19.8

                         1987                                     27                            11.9

                         1986                                     27                            11.9

                         1985                                     44                            19.4

                         1984                                     45                            19.8

                         1983                                     16                             7.0

                         1982                                       3                            1.3

                         Total                                   227











































                                                                     23







              temperature was to     be recorded e--ach'fis`h'*'ing day'. 'Fish which appear healthy were to be
              marked with individually 'applied    internal anchor tags.    Tags were to    be inserted in the
              abdominal cavity as previously described.    Fish were to be released immediately upon tagging.
               A target of 600 fish were to be marked and released annually from the Roanoke River delta

              area.



              All data was to be coded and entered in the DMF Biological Database and analyzed to
              ..determine utilization by the various fisheries, direction, distance and seasonality of movement.


              DEVIATIONS: Due to the extreme high river flow on the Roanoke River and its tributaries, a
              contracted pound net fishermen w     as unable to set the pound nets for DMF use. No fish were
              tagged from any pound nets in the delta area and no data was collected.


              Roanoke River S12awning Run
              The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC), through Project F-22 is currently
              assessing (length, age, and sex) the Roanoke River spawning population through a fishery
              independent survey utilizing ele ctroshoc king. DMF assisted the WRC by recording data such
              as length (mm, TQ, sex, and release location on captured striped bass. These captured fish
              were marked with internal anchor tags inserted in the abdominal cavity as previously
              described, and released immediately upon tagging. Data from this project was utilized by the
              WRC in assessing the population and DMF stored the same data for tag return purposes.


              A letter stating the release date, location, days at large, estimated distance traveled, and
              length at release were se  nt to each person returning a tag along with a reward. The current
              reward system is a choice of $5.00 per tag or a tagging cap and a random drawing at years
              end for three (3) $100.00 rewards. Tagging activity was publicized in the media, through
              presentations to various organizations, and    by distributing posters at marinas, ramps, tackle
              stores, and fishhouses.


              All data was coded and entered in the DMF Biological Database and analyzed to determine
              utilization by various fisheries, direction, distance, and seasonality of movement.







                                                             24









                                                        DISCUSSION


              This discussion is for tag recaptures which occurred from September 1992 through August
              1993. Roanoke River returns will be reported separately from the Albemarle Sound
              'Management Area which includes Albemarle, Croatan, Roanoke and Currituck sounds and
              their tributaries, excluding the Roanoke River.



              Albemarle and Croatan Sound Areas - 1990 Ta-ggina/Returns
              Eleven tags were returned from September 1992.through August 1993 from 420 striped bass
              tagged during November 1990. Seven (63.611/o) were recaptured by hook-and-line and four
              (36.4%) from pound nets. Release and recapture information by quarter, mean days at large,
              and distance from the release site (miles) are presented in Table 11. Six of the returns
              (54.5%) were recaptured from Albemarle Sound and its tributaries, four (36.4%) were caught

              in the Roanoke River, and one (9.1 %) from the Neuse River.



              Albemarle and Croatan Sound Areas - 1991 Tagging /Returns
              A total of 183 striped bass was tagged and released during October and        November 1991.
              Eleven tags were returned during this reporting period, from the 1991 tagging, of which five
              (45.5%) were from hook-and-line, four (36.4%) from commercial gill nets, one (9.1 %) from
              a pound net, and one (9.1 %) from electroshocking sampling. Of these returns, 63.6% (N =7L
              came from the Albemarle Sound area and tributaries, while the remaining 36.4% (N =4) came
              from the Roanoke River. Recapture information by quarter are presented in Table 12.



              Albemarle and Croatan Sound Areas       - 1992 Tagainci/Returns
              The 1992 eastern Albemarle and Croatan sound tagging from pound nets resulted in 88
              striped bass being tagged and released. Ten tags have been returned of which four (40%)
              were from hook-and-line, three from pound nets (30%), and three from gill nets (30%). The
              Albemarle Sound area had the highest percentage of returns with 60% (N = 6), followed by
              Roanoke River (20%, N =2), with one return each from Neuse River (10%) and Pamlico Sound
              0 0 %). The, r eturns are presented by qua@ter in Table 13.







                                                              25










                Table 11. Striped bass tag return summary,    by quarter, for tagging from pound nets in Albemarle, Croatan and
                           Roanoke sounds, November 1990.


                                                                     Days at larne          Distance from release site miles

                  Quarter                  Number returned      Mean        Range           Mean                 Range

                  Sept-Nov 1992                  3            726.3      694-742           16.7                   0-32

                  Mar-May 1993                   6            907.2 868-1013             166.2                  59-284

                  June-Aug 1993                  2            .982.5     959-1006         @22.0                     22

                  Total                         11








                Table 12. Striped bass tag return summary, by quarter, for tagging from pound nets in Albemarle, Croatan and
                           Roanoke sounds, November 1991.



                                                                       Days at large         Distance from release site miles

                  Quarter                    Number returned       Mean         Range           Mean               Range

                  Sept-Nov 1992                     2              356.5      353-360            4.5                1-8

                  Dec 1992-Feb 1993                 1              438.0              -         42.0                  -

                  Mar-May 1993                      7              51 0.9     477-544           81.4              37-202

                  June-Aug 1993                     1              609.0              -          9.0                  -

                  Total                          11








                Table 13. Striped bass tag return summary, by quarter, for tagging from pound nets in Albemarle, Croatan and
                           Roanoke sounds, November 1992.


                                                                       Days at large          Distance from release site miles

                  Quarter                  Number returned         Mean          Range            Mean              Range

                  Sept-Nov 1992                     2                10           4-16             0                  0

                  Dec 1992-Feb 1993                 1                54               -            2.0                -

                  Mar-May 1993                      6              158.2      132-181              79.8         25-196

                  June-Aug 1993                     1              250                -            24.0               -

                  Total                          10









                                                                         26







              Albet@narle Sound Indep'         ill Net Surv
                                      endent G            ey  1990-1991    Ta agi ng /Returns
              The Albemarle Sound Independent Gill Net Survey (ASIGNS) was initiated in October 1990
              with 282  striped bass being tagged from December     1990 through March 1991. This year
              seven returns were received from the 1990-1991 ASIGNS tagging efforts. Of these seven
              returns, hook-and-line accounted for 71.4% (N = 5), pound nets 14.3% (N = 1) and one by
              electroshocking sampling (14.3%). The returns are presented in Table 14. Four (57.1 %)
              were returned from the Roanoke River while three fish (42.9%) came from Albemarle Sound

              and its tributaries.



              Albemarle Sound Independent Gill Net Survey 1991-1992 - Tagging/Returns
              Three hundred and twenty eight     striped bass were tagged and released during the period
              November 1991 through February 1992 by Division personnel. All fish were tagged in the

              Albemarle and Croatan sounds.



              A total of sixteen tags have been returned from the Fall-Winter 1991-1992 tagging. Of these
              16 returns, hook-and-line accounted for 56.3% (N = 9), gill nets 37.5% (N = 6) and pound nets
              6.2% (N = 1). The returns are presented in Table 15. The Albemarle Sound area accounted
              for 75.0% (N = 12) of the returns, with the remaining 25.0% (N =4) coming from the Roanoke

              River.



              Albemarle Sound Independent Gill Net Survey 1992-1993 - Tagging/Returns
              Three hundred and seventy striped bass were tagged and released during the November 1992
              through February 1993 sampling period in the Albemarle and Croatan Sound areas.


              A total of fifteen (4.1 %) tags have been returned from the Fall-Winter 1992-1993 taggings.
              Hook-and-line recaptures accounted for 60.0% (N = 9), gill nets 33.3% (N = 5) and pound nets
              6.7 % (N = 1) of the fifteen returns. The returns are presented by quarter in Table 16.


              Seven tags (46.7%) were returned from the Roanoke River, six (40.0%) from the Albemarle
              Sound area, one (13.3%) from the Stumpy Point area of Pamlico - Croatan sounds and one
              0 3.3%) from the Potomac River above Washington DC (13.3%). The striped bass recaptured
              in the Potomac River just northwest of Washington DC by hook-and-line was tagged 23





                                                             27








                 Table 14. Striped bass'tag return summ a'ry, by quarter, for tag g*ing in Albemarle and Croatan sounds by the fishery
                           independent gill net study, November 1990 through February 1991.


                                                                     Days at larne           Distance from release site miles

                                                 Number
                  Quarter                        returned        Mean         Range              Mean                Range

                  Sept-Nov 1992                     2            677       662-692               20                    36

                  Dec 1992-Feb 1993                 0               0                             0

                  Mar-May 1993                      5          848-6       807-875              108.2              30-166

                  Total                             7






                 Table 15. Striped bass tag return summary, by quarter, for tagging in Albemarle and Croatan sounds by the fishery
                           independent gill net study, November 1991 through February 1992.


                                                                        Days at larae          Distance from release site miles

                                                 Number
                  Quarter                        returned          Mean           Range              Mean                Range

                  Sept-Nov 1992                     5              342.4        317-363               10                 1-38

                  Dec 1992-Feb 1993                 2              439.0        437-441                7                 2-12

                  Mar-May 1993                      7              506          476-518              55.4               2-166

                  June-Aug 1993                     2              541          519-56  4            20.0               14-26

                  Total                             16






                 Table .16. Striped bass tag return summary, by quarter, for tagging in Albemarle and Croatan sounds by the fishery
                            independent gill net study, November 1992 through February 1993.


                                                                     - Days at large           Distance from release site miles

                                                  Number
                  Quarter                         returned          Mean          Range             Mean               Range

                  Dec 1992-Feb 1993                   3               44          10-70             29.2               8.5-52

                  Mar-May 1993                        9             76.1          1-186             73.2              0-193.5

                  June-Aug 1993                       3             151.7         81-201            146.7              8-294

                  Total                               15










                                                                       28








               January 1993 off of Durant's Island in Albemarle Sound. The recapture occurred 173 days
               later on 15 July 1993, 294 miles from the release site.



               Roanoke River Spawnina Run - 1991 Taciaing/Returns
               A total of forty five recaptures (2.7%) occurred from September 1992 through August 1993
               from 1,657 fish tagged during the 1991 electro-shock sampling on Roanoke River. Hook-and-
               line fishing accounted for 6 6.7 % IN ----; 30) @of the recaptures, @gill nets 22.2% (N = 10), and
               pound nets 11. 1 % (N = 5). ---Of these 45 fish, 23 (5 1.1 %) were -recaptured f rom the Roanoke
               River. Twenty two (48.9%) striped bass were caught in the Albemar          le Sound area. The
               returns are presented by quarter in Table 17.



               Roanoke River Sr)awning Run - 1992 Tagginci/Returns

               Tagging efforts for 1992 were concentrated in the upper Roanoke River near Gaston and
               Weldon (Figure 9). With the aid of the WRC staff and electroshocking boats, project
               personnel tagged and released 2,433 fish between 21 April and 15 June 1992.


               Of the 2,433 tagged fish, 142 tags       (5.8%) were returned during the reporting period.
               Seventy seven (54.2%)'striped bass came from the Roanoke River, while 62 fish (43.7%)
               were caught from the Albemarle Sound area. Returns from other areas accounted for 2.1 %
               (N = 3). These three tags were returned from the Belhaven - Pungo River area of Norlb
               Carolina. Hook-and-line returns have accounted for 62.7% (N =89), gill nets (19.7% (N=28),
               electro-shocking sampling 4.9% (N=7), and 2.1% (N=3) from pound nets. The returns by
               quarter are presented in Table 18.


               In addition to the electro-shocking tagging, DIVIF personnel tagged and released 22 striped
               bass captured below Weldon by hook-and-line. The fish ranged in length from 372 to 502
               mm TL 0 4.6 to 19.8 in). * One tag has been returned. The recapture occurred 338 days after
               release, 6 miles up river at the Roanoke Rapids Dam.


               Roanoke River St)awning    Run - 1993 Tagging s/Returns
               Tagging duringthe 1993spawning runontheupper Roanoke River concentrated near Gaston
               and Weldon (Figure 9). A cooperative effort with the WRC staff resulted in the capture and
               release of 2,452 striped bass of which 2,338 were released with DMF internal anchor tags.



                                                             29















                  Table 17. Striped bass tag  return summary, by quarter, for tagging on Roanoke River during the spawning run
                             April -June 1991.


                                                                       Days at large           Distance from release site (miles)

                                                   Number
                    Quarter                        returned          Mean         Range             Mean               Range

                    Sept-Nov 1992                       7            536.7       510-556            164.3            145-  180

                    Dec 1992-Feb 1993                   5            617.2       561-641            159.6            153-168

                    Mar-May 1993                        29           696.6       645-741            71.6                 0-165

                    Jun-Aug 1993                        4            767.5       755-774            162.8            157-169

                    Total                               45














                  Table 18. Striped bass tag return summary, by quarter, for tagging on Roanoke River during the spawning run
                             April through June 1992.
                                                        Number           Days at larae         Distance from release site (miles)
                    Quarter                             returned       Mean        Range            Mean               Range

                    Sept-Nov 1992                       23             170.8       114-204          159.2              15-182

                    Dec 1992-Feb 1993                   16             271.1      221-300           164.4            132-220

                    Mar-May 1993                        78             334.3      278-389           83.4               0-219

                    Jun-Aug 1993                        25             397.5      304-447           62.8               0-164

                    Total                               142


















                                                                          30















                                                      US 301


                                        'We(do





                                                                  id
                                                                   0
                                                                    10




                                                                   US 258                                                                0
                                                  Scotland Neck



                                                                                                                                           Z
                                                                                                                                           rn
                                                               Palmyra


                                                                                         C1
                                                                                                                    Windsor                       AL

                                                                             Hamilton




                                                                                                                                             A.
                                                                                               illiamston
                                       lt@E     Sampling
                                                                                                           17                   Plyrn uth
                                                   Area                                                 U


                                                                                                                          Jamesville


                                 L


                                       Figure 9. Sampling area for adult striped bass tagging, upper Roanoke River area, NC,








              Male striped bass numbered 1687,(6*8.'8%)' while the 'number of females was 735,(30.0%).
              The sex of 30 fish (1.2%) could not be determined.


              Of the 2,338 tagged fish, 74 tags (3.2%) have been returned (3.2%). Forty three (58.1 %)
              tag returns came from the Roanoke River, with 31 (41.9%) being returned from the Albemarle
              Sound area. Hook-and-line has been the most productive recapture gear accounting for
              39.2% (N = 29) of the returns, followed by pound nets with 33.8% (N = 25), electro-shocking
              sampling 13.5% (N = 10), gill nets 4.0% (N =3), and 9.5% (N = 7) of the returns from tagging
              mortalities found floating downstream of the tagging area on Roanoke River. Tag returns are
              presented by quarter in Table 19.



              Batchelor Bay Area - 1990 Pound Net Tacgina/Returns

              Henry et al. (1 992a) reported that 289 striped bass were tagged and released in the spring
              of 1990 in the Batchelor Bay area of Albemarle Sound. During this 1992-1993 segment three
              recaptures occurred from that tagging. Two fish (66.7%) were recaptured on the spawning
              grounds of the Roanoke River. One striped bass (33.3%) was caught in the Albemarle Sound.
              Hook-and-line accounted for 66.7% (N = 2) of the recaptures and gill nets 33.3% (N = 1). The
              three recaptures occurred during the March through May quarter. The mean days at large was
              1,074 with a range of 1,061 to 1,094 days. The mean distance from the release site was
              57.4 miles with a range of 6 to 135'miles.


              Fall-Winter 1992-1993 Hook-and-Line Tagging in Albemarle Sound
              One hundred and nine striped bass were caught, tagged, and released by Division staff using
              hook-and-line during the fall-winter of 1992-1993. One recapture occu     rred on Roanoke
              River by hook-and-line after 165 days at large and 54 miles from the    release site.


              Summary of Adult Tagging. Sergember 119@2-Aucjust 1993
              A total of 2,905 adult striped bass was tagged by various methods (electroshoc king, gill nets,
              and pound nets) from September 1992 through August 1993. To date, 100 returns have
              been received as well as 233 returns from prior year's tagging efforts for a total of 333
              recaptures. Recapture methods were hook-and-line which accounted for 56.8% (N = 189),
              gill nets 17.7% (N   59), pound nets 16.8% (N = 56), electro-shocking 5.7% (N        19), haul





                                                             32

















             Table 19. Striped bass tag return summary, by quarter, for tagging on Roanoke River during the spawning run
                     April through June 1993.


                                                         Days at large     Distance from release site (miles)

              Ouarter                   Number        Mean      Range        Mean             Range
                                        Returned
              Mar-May 1993                 34          7.6'      0-34         15.8            0-169

              Jun-Aug 1993                 40          42.2     10-78        117.7            0-174

              Total                        74






















































                                                           33









              seine .9 % (N   3) and seven f ish f ound on  Roanoke River, attributed to tagging mortality




              Approximately half the recaptures (51    N = 170) occurred from the Roanoke River. This high
              percentage of returns from the spawning grounds by hook-and-line is a result of the fish being,
              concentrated in a relatively small area with a large amount of directed effort. Forty seven
              percent (N = 156) of the recaptures occurred mainly from Albemarle, Croatan, and Currituck
              sounds and their tributaries. Seven returns came from the Pamlico Sound - Neuse and Pungo
              river area. The only return from outside the internal waters of North Carolina came from the
              Potomac River above Washington, DC. These returns show the Albemarle/Roanoke striped
              bass population is distributed throughout the Albemarle and Croatan. sounds and tributaries
              during the fall-winter (September - February). A migration into the western Albemarle Sound
              and up the Roanoke River occurs in the spring (March - May), with a migration down the river
              and a dispersal throughout the Albemarle and Croatan sounds and tributaries in the summer
              (June - August).


              All but one recovery was from within the North Carolina internal waters showing very little
              contribution to the Atlantic Migratory stock. Historical adult tag recovery databases (Street
              et al. 1975; Johnson et al. 1977; Hassler et al. 198 1; Hassler and Taylor 1986) suggest that
              the Albemarle/Roanoke striped bass stock is composed principally of a discrete resident
              population which contribute insignificantly to the Atlantic migratory stocks.


              The tag return data shows that the tagged fish have contributed to the commercial and
              recreational harvest and participated in the spawning population. The return rate by gear type
              for the period indicates that  56.8% were captured by recreational angers and 35.4% by
              commercial harvesters. This recreationally dominated utilization is a combination of extensive
              regulatory measures implemented on the Albemarle area commercial fisheries and the
              concentrated recreational effort on the spawning grounds.



              JOB 4: EVALUATION OF COASTAL STRIPED BASS STOCKING

              OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the influence of stocking striped bass on both the exploited and
              reproducing portion of the population by tagging approximately 2,500 Phase 11 fish reared at





                                                            34








               the Edenton  National'Fish Hatchery*   prior to their release in' various coastal systems and
               analyzing the returns.



                                                       PROCEDURES
               Prior to scheduled stocking, project personnel tagged Phase 11 striped bass at the Edenton
               National Fish Hatchery, Edenton, NC. The Cooperative Stocking Agreement Development
               Work Plan indicates two stocking groups per year. All striped bass stocked in Albemarle
               Sound were tagged with internal anchor tags prior to release and- approximately 2,500 striped
               bass were tagged for the other systems. Internal anchor tags were inserted in t   he abdominal
               cavity on the left side just behind the pectoral fin. Cinch-up tags, when used in other
               systems, were to be inserted between the soft and hard dorsal. All stocked fish were
               released in the natural striped bass nursery area in the various coastal systems. Rewards will
               be processed as previously discussed in Job 3. All data was coded and entered in the DMF
               Biological Database.



                                                        DISCUSSION
               During the 1990-1992 winter stockings, 209,876 Phase 11 striped bass          were released in
               coastal North Carolina. Of the total, 14,971 were tagged prior to stocking, and 317 (2.1 %)
               have been returned (Table 20). Only one of the tag returns have     occurred from outside the
               internal waters of North Carolina, indicating a very insignificant amount of contribution to the
               Atlantic Ocean migratory stock.


               Phase 11 striped bass were released in the Albemarle Sound area annually during 1990-1992,
               in the Neuse River in 1990 and 1992, and in the Pamlico River area in 1991 (Figure 10). All
               of these stockings occurred in the natural striped bass nursery areas in each system (Street
               et al. 1975, Marshall 1976, Johnson et al. 1977, Sholar 1977, Hawkins 1979 and 1980, and

               Winslow et al. 1983 and 1985).



               Albemarle Sound Area - 1990-1992

               A total of 7,459 tagged Phase 11 striped bass was released in the Albemarle Sound area in
               December 1990-9 2 (Figure 10). Since the stockings occurred, 2.4% of the tags have been
               returned. Table 20 presents the annual stocking figures, number of returns, and the methods
               of recapture. No recaptures from the December 1992 stockings have occurred.



                                                              35










                   Table 20. Summary of Phase 11 striped bass stockings, returns, and recapture gears from coastal North Carolina, 1990-1992.


                                                                                                                                                    Recapture near

                                                              Total                                         Percent
                                                              number       Number         Returns       returns after      Gill nets        Pound nets        Hook and line         Other
                     System stocked                           stocked      tagged         No. %          recruitment      No.               No.                 No.       %         No.   %


                     Neuse River area-                       61,877        2,992        75     2.5        50.0             65    86.7       0                     9      12.0       1     1.3
                     December 1990

                     Albemarle Sound area-                    2,000        2,000        39     2.0        43.6             10    25.6       4       10.3        24       61.5       1     2.6
                     December 1990

                     Pamlico River area-                      2,000        1,993       .59     3.0          0              33    56.0       0                   26       44.0       0     -
                     December 1991

                     Albemarle Sound area-                    2,994        2,994       142     4.7          0              65    45.8      65       45.8        12         8.4      0     -
                     December 1991

                     Neuse River area-                      138,540        2,527         2       .08        0             0        -        0                     2       -         0     -
                     December 1992

                     Albemarle Sound area-                    2,465        2,465         0     0            0             0        -        0                     0       -         0     -
                     December 1992


                     Totals                                 209,876        14,971      317     2.1
















                                                                                           76

                                                 "lye"



                                                        CIIOWAN   Mn



                                          FICA"OKe IS IVfR



              COASIAt "oittit cOoUHA                                            AMMA     Ll SOMID           36-







                                            1AM             1991



                                           "full    IVtm       PAMI.     PIVF

                                                           990+1992                PAWICO SOUM)
                                                                                                         CAP[
                                                                                                    IIATTERAS



           is







                            CAPE tiAll FIIVtII                                 cApt  tooKout


            CAPT FJEAM
            nive"



                                                                 Pel ease site


                                                                                             ATtA"TIC OCtA"


                                                                                                            34


                                  c0t rtAft

                                                                                           76


                       Figure  10.   Release sites of Phase 11 striped bass stockings, 1990-1992.



                                                              37








               The pre-recruit striped bass moverents.were the same for each stocking regardless of the
               release site and similar to those reported by Taylor et al. (1992). This was especially true
               along the southeastern shore of Albemarle Sound and the Alligator River during the winter.
               During the spring, a general movement to the western sound was observed. As the winter
               months approached, the returns again were from the eastern sound area (Figure 11).


               The majority of the returns from the Albemarle Sound area have been from gill nets (41      .2%)
               followed by pound nets (37.9%) with hook-and-line accounting for the remainder (19.8%).
               Many of the early returns prior to recruitment into the fisheries were a result of cinch-up tags
               setting entangled in the gill net webbing. However, since the switch to internal anchor tags,
               w hose streamer tag protrudes smoothly f  rom the side, this situation has been eliminated. The
               percentage of return f rom all gear has ranged f rom 19.8 % to 41.2%. These data conf irm that

               stocked fish continue to contribute to the commercial and recreational fisheries in the area.



               During May of 1993, three returns (Phase 11 fish released in December of 1990) were
               recaptured from the spawning grounds on the Roanoke River. The mean number of days at
               large was 874 and the mean distance of recapture from release site was 141 miles. One
               additional tag was returned from the lower Roanoke River in May 1993. These fish may have
               been participating in the spawning migration. Returns from the spawning grounds continue
               to indicate that the stocked fish contribute to the spawning population. This continued
               contribution from stocked fish substantiates earlier reports (Henry et. al 1992b, Taylor and
               Hardy, 1993).



               Neuse River Area - 1990 and 1992

               The Neuse River was stocked with 5,519 tagged Phase li fish during the project (Figure 12)
               and.77 tags 0.4%) have been returned. The stocking numbers, returns, and recapture gears

               are shown in Table 20.



               The movements of Phase 11 striped bass from the various stockings were similar to that
               reported for the Neuse River by Taylor et al. (1992) and Henry et al. 0 992a). Two returns
               occurred during the reporting time. They were @recaptured by hook-and-line between the
               release site and the mouth of Goose Creek (Figure 12).





                                                               38

















                                                            wonr" CAROLINA -

                                                            SHOWING LOCATION OF

                                                            ALBEMARLE BOUND
                                                                                                                                           pe





                                                                                             P&   UOTANK
                                        RIVER
                                                                                                               NORTH         0
                                                                                                                   IVER
                                                                                                                                      ATLANTIC   0


                                                                                          LITTLE
                                                                                                                                0

                                                                          PERQUIMANS





                                                        CHOW&H                TEOPIN
                                                        RIVER                 at  4
                                                                                                                 fall 41k
                                                                                                                   nd
         (0                                                                                    VE 'OuStI.          '3 Winter

                                                                           sprin

                                                    CASHII RIVER


                                                                                      SCUPPERNONG                                                1
                                                                                      RIVER
                                                ROAND    R ER                                                           ALLIGATOR
                                                                                                                        RIVER                 0
                                                                                  Release site of
                                                                                  1999-1992's
                                                                                  stockings'
                                                                                      Return and
                                                                                  Movement                                                PAMLICO
                                                                                       patterns





                     Figure  11.    General   return and movement patterns of Phase 11 striped bass stocked, Albemarle Soun

























                                                                                              WASHINGTew                                 BELHAVEN



                                                     0 NELEASE SITE
                                                            Primary                                                                            00
                                                             recapture
                                                             site
                                                                                                                          104,44ft,Co
                                                                                                                               ICO









                                                                                                                                                                    PAMLICO
                                                                                                                                                                     SOUND
             0




                                                                                      New DER                    0


                                                                                         RIVE



                                                       0
                                                                                                                Ire








                                  Figure 12.        Primary recapture location of Phase 11 striped                      bass released in Neuse River, NC,                 19








               Gill nets have accounted for'the majority (84.4%) of the returns from the Neuse River area
               (Table 20). The percentage of hook-and-line returns was 14.3%. Returns have occurred from
               both sectors of the fishery despite only 50% of the fish from the 1990 stocking being legal

               size.



               Pamlico River Area - 199 1

               A total of .1,993 tagged Phase 11 striped bass was released in the Pamlico River area during,
               December 1991 (Figure 13). Fifty-nine tags (3.0%) have been returned (Table 20). Eighteen
               tags (one from a gill net and 17 from hook-and-line) of the total were returned during this
               reporting period.


               Sixty-seven percent of the return   s occurred from the area between Washington and Goose
               Creek (Figure 13). This percentage is lower than that reported byHenryetal. (1992a) forthe
               1987 stocking (82%) and Winslow et al. 0 985) for the 1984 stocking (76%), but was higher
               than the 48 % reported by Winslow and Johnson (1984) for the 1983 stocking. The reason
               for the low percentage was because six recaptures were returned from the upper regions of
               the Tar River during early sprin  g and summer. - No returns occurred from outside the Tar-
               Pamlico River drainage from the 1991 stocking.


               The majority (56.0%) of tag returns were from gill nets prior to recruitment into the fishery.
               Hook-and-line returns have accou    nted for 44.0% . Only 5.9% of the returns have occurred
               from the commercial and recreational fisheries since the fish attained legal size (Table 20).


               The results of these Phase 11 stocking programs have shown that stocking can be used as a
               management tool. The data indicate that the stocked fish do contribute to the commercial
               and recreational harvest in each system. Tag returns from the Roanoke River spawning
               grounds show that these fish continue to augment the spawning population.


               Tagging a portion of Phase 11 fish will continue to provide data for determining exploitation
               rates and survival to first spawning. These stocking programs will help sustain a striped bass
               population during low levels of abundance. However, stocking at these levels will not be
               effective in restoring populations to self-sustaining levels in the face of fishing pressure prior
               to sexual maturity and poor environmental conditions.



                                                                41

















                                                                                    r4,9                WASHWOT(W                                    OELHAVEN


                                                              41 RELEASE SITE
                                                                                                                         'OOC,*.
                                                                      Primary                                               r 101.                          CO
                                                                      recapture
                                                                      site
                                                                                                                                      .04,%f(ICO




                                                                                                                                                                                  PA
                                                                                                                                                                                  S
                                                                                          SIP






                                                                                                NEW BER14


                                                                                                   RIVER



                                                                0

                                                                   miles








                                             Figure 13.          Primary recapture location of Phase 11 striped bass released in Pamlico/Tar R


                                                                                                    A











                                                   RECOMMENDATIONS

               This agency recommends:

               9   Continuation of both    the western and eastern Albemarle Sound juvenile abundance
                   databases.

               0   Validation of the juvenile abundance indices be conducted to meet the ASMFC Striped
                   Bass Study Management Board requirements through review of the Technical Committee.

               0   The No  rth Carolina Cooperative for Anadromous Species Restoration, which includes the
                   USFWS, WRC,; and DMF should continue to pool available resources.

               0   Specific investigations need to be developed on seasonal gear-related mortality such as
                   cold water vs. warm water by-catch mortality.

               0   Continued Phase 11 stocking programs to help sustain striped bass populations during low
                   levels of abundance.


               0   Consideration should be given for a 24 inch TL size limit to allow more fish to reach
                   sexual maturity. The Albemarle Sound gill net fishery must be managed to minimize the
                   bycatch wastage of striped bass, as the losses may negate the potential gains from the
                   increased size limit..


               0   Harvest quota management is recommended as the principal management component to
                   control fishing mortality for the Albemarle/Roanoke striped, bass population.



                                                  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

               This project would not have been possible without funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlifts
               Service. We thank B. Burns, S. Cooper, L. Henry, R. Marsh, K. Rawls, A. Saunders, S.
               Trowell, C. Teague, and J. Zuaboni for their field and technical assistance. T. Gillikin, S.
               McLeod, P. Phalen, and A. Schmidt in the data management and commercial statistics section
               provided useful products for our data requests. We especially thank S. Winslow and M. Wolff
               for their constructive review and comments on the manuscript. We are appreciative of the
               skills of K. Winslow who typed the manuscript and D. Willis who helped type and organize
               the final drafts of this report. Finally, we are grateful to the many commercial fish dealers and
               commercial and recreational fishermen who allowed us to sample their catches.










                                                               43





       #0





                                                  LITERATURE CITED


              Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC).
                1990. Source document for the supplement to the Striped Bass Fisheries Management Plan
                - Amendment #4. Versar Inc., Columbia, MD.

              Ha'rriss, R.C., Jr., B.L. Burns, and H.B. Johnson.
                1985. An investigation of size, age, and sex of North Carolina striped bass. Comp. Rep.
                Proj. AFC-18. NC Dept. Nat. Resour. and Community Develop., Div. Mar. Fish., 136 p.

              Hassler, W.W., H.S. Hill, and J.T. Brown.
                1981. Status and abundance of striped bass, Morone saxatilis, in the Roanoke River and
                Albemarle Sound, NC, 1956-1980. Spec. Sci. Rep. No. 38, NC Dept. Nat.        Resour., and
                Community Develop., Div. Mar. Fish., 156 p.

              Hassler, W.W. and S.D. Taylor.
                1986. Status, abundance, and exploitation of striped bass in the Roanoke River and
                Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, 1984. Dept. Zool., NCSU, Raleigh, 47 p.

              Hawkins, J.H.
                1979. Anadromous fisheries research program - Neuse River. Compl. Rep., Proj. AFCS 13-
                2. NC Dept. Nat. Resour. and Community Develop., Div. Mar. Fish., 67 p. + Append.

              Hawkins, J.H.
                1980. Investigations of anadromous fishes of the Neuse River, North Carolina. NC Dept.
                Nat. Resour. and Community Develop., Div. Mar. F    ish., Spec. Scie. Rep. No. 34, 111 p.

              Henry, L.T., S.D. Taylor, and S.E. Winslow.
              1992a. North Carolina Striped Bass, Final Rep. Proj. AFS-26-2-6, NC Dept. Environ.,
                Health, and Nat. Resour., Div. Mar. Fish., Morehead City, NC 60.p

              Henry, L.T., H.C. Hardy, and S.D. Taylor.
                1992b. Fishery independent gill net surveys for Albemarle Sound striped bass: A
                characterization of the Albemarle/Roanoke population. Report to the North Carolina Striped
                Bass Study Management Board, Work Order No. 91 -1. NC Dept. Environ., Health, and Nat.
                Resour., Div. Mar. Fish. Morehead City, NC, 32 p. + Append.

              Johnson, H.B., B.F. Holland, Jr., and S.G. Keefe.
                1977. Anadromous fisheries research program, northern coastal area. Compl. Rep., Proj.
                AFCS-1 1. NC Dept. Nat. Resour. Community Develop., Div. Mar. Fish., 138 p.

              Ketchen, J.S.
                1950. Stratified subsampling for determining age distribution. Trans. Am. Fish. Soc. 79:
                205-212.


              Marshall, M.D.
                1976. Anadromous fisheries research program - Tar River, Pamlico River, and northern
                Pamlico Sound. Compl. Rep., Proj. AFCS-1 0, NC Dept. Nat. Econ. Resour., Div. Mar. Fish.,
                90 P.




                                                          44









               NC Striped Bass Study Management Board
                 1991. Report on the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River stock of striped bass. NC Striped
                 Bass Study Management Board, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Atlanta, GA. 56 p +
                 appendices.

               Olsen, E.J., and R.A. Rulifson.
                 1991. Maturation and fecundity of Roanoke River/Albemarle Sound striped bass (Morone
                 saxatilis). Work Order No. 90-02, N.C. Striped Bass Res. Mgmt. Bd. ECU, Inst. for Coast.
                 and Mar. Res., Greenville, NC, 39 p.

               Rulifson, R.A., and C.S. Manooch, III (eds.).
                 1991 Roanoke River Water Flow Committee Report for 1990. NOAA Technical
                 Memorandum NMFS-SEFC-291, 433 p.

               Sholar, T.M.
                 1977. Anadromous fisheries research program, Cape Fear River System, Phase 1. Prog.
                 Rep. Proj. AFCS-1 2. NC Dept. -Nat. Econ. Resour., Div. Mar. Fish., 60 p.

               Street, M.W., P. P. Pate, Jr., B.F. Holland, and A.B. Powell.
                 1975. Anadromous fisheries research program, northern coastal region, North Carolina
                 Compl. Rep. Proj. AFCS-8, NC Dept. Nat. Econ. Resour., Div. Mar. Fish., 210 p.

               Sykes, J.E.
                 1958. A method of determining the sex of the striped bass Roccus saxatifis (Walbaum).
                 Trans. Am. Fi sh. Soc. 87: 104-107.


               Taylor, S.D. and H.C. Hardy. -
                 1993. North Carolina Striped Bass (September 1991 -August 1992), Annual Report, Project
                 AFS-26, Segment 7, NC Dept. Environ., Health and Nat. Resour., Div. Mar. Fish., Morehead
                 City, NC, 55 p.

               Winslow, S.E., and H.B. Johnson.
                 1984.    North Carolina coastal striped bass stocking.      Report given at meeting of
                 Northeastern Div. Am. Fish. Soc. 1984. NC Dept. Nat. Resour. and Community Develop.,
                 Div. Mar. Fish., 74 p.

               Winslow, S.E., S.C. Mozley, and R.A. Rulifson.
                 1985. North Carolina anadromous fisheries. Compl. Rep., Proj. AFCS-22, NC Dept. Nat.
                 Resour. and Community Develop., Div. Mar. Fish., 207 p.

               Winslow, S.E., N.S. Sanderlin, G.W. Judy, J.H. Hawkins, B.F. Holland, Jr., C.A. Fischer, and
               R.A. Rulifson.
                 1983. North Carolina anadromous fisheries management program. Compi. Rep., Proj.
                 AFCS-17. NC Dept. Nat. Resour. and     Community Develop., Div. Mar. Fish., 402 p.








                                                            45



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