North Carolina striped bass July 1985-August 1991

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

NORTH CAROLINA STRIPED BASS

7@1.

clf)

North Carolina Department of Environment,
Health, and Natural Resources

Division of Marine Fisheries
Morehead City, NC 28557
SH
351
-B3 April 1992
N67
1992_

NORTH CAROLINA STRIPED BASS

July 1985 - August 1991

Lynn T. Henry
Stephen D. Taylor
and
Sara E. Winslow

North Carolina Department of Environment,
Health, and Natural Resources

Division of Marine Fisheries
Morehead City, NC 28557

Final Report, Project AFS-26, Segments 1-6

April 1992

US Department Of Commerce
NOAA Coastal Center Library
2234 South Hobson Avenue
Charleston, SC 29405-2413

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABSTRACT * * * * * * * * * * * * * * , * * * * * * * * * , * , , * , * * , 11i

INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

STRIPED BASS JUVENILE ABUNDANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Western Albemarle Sound Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Eastern Albemarle Sound Survey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

ADULT STRIPED BASS UTILIZATION AND MIGRATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Conclusions . . . .. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
STRIPED BASS SPAWNING ST06K-UTILIZATION AND MIGRATION . . . . . . . . . . 11
Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

EVALUATION OF COASTAL STRIPED BASS STOCKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Albemarle Sound Area 1986-1990 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Neuse River Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Pamlico River Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Cape Fear River Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

ASSESSMENT OF ADULT STRIPED BASS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Size, Age, and Sex Composition of Albemarle Sound Striped Bass . . . . 27
Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Adult Sampling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Contribution of Year Class to Harvest . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . 29-
Contribution of Year Class to Harvest . ... . . . . . . . . 33
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 33

Size, Age, and Sex Composition of Striped Bass from the
Roanoke River Spawning Population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Size, Age, and Sex Composition of Striped Bass from the
Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . 45
Approach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 45
Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Conclusions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . 51

RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

LITERATURE CITED . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

ABSTRACT

Information generated by Project AFS-26 updates and complements the
historical long-term monitoring database for the Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River
stock of striped bass (Morone saxatilis). These data provide the basis for
evaluation of stock condition and are essential in guiding management efforts.
Annual juvenile striped bass sampling was conducted at seven trawl stations in
western Albemarle Sound July-October, 1985 through 1990. The 1985-1987 and 1990
juvenile abundance values fell far below the 26-year mean of 6.8. Juvenile abun-
dance increased to near historic levels in 1988 and 1989, with values greater
than 4.0. An additional twelve stations were sampled July-October, 1985-1990,
in the central and eastern Albemarle Sound to determine juvenile abundance.
Continued low abundance was observed at these sites, but an increase occurred in
1989 to 3.7. Seven hundred and sixty-two adult striped bass were tagged in the
Albemarle, Croatan and Roanoke sounds from December 1985 through March 199 1, to
determine resource utilization and migration. A return rate of 8.0% has been
determined, with all returns being from the Albemarle Sound area. During spring
1988-1991, 2,093 adult striped bass participating.in the spawning migration in
the Roanoke River area were tagged to determine migration and utilization. A
return rate of 2.4% has been determined. All the returns were reported from the
Roanoke River or Albemarle Sound area, with recreational anglers accounting for
78% of the returns. During-the project, 457,242 Phase II striped bass were
released in coastal North Carolina. Of the total, 28,496 were tagged prior to
stocking, and 921 (3.2%) have been returned. All of the returns have occurred
from inside waters of North Carolina indicating no evidence of contribution to
the Atlantic migratory population. The stocked fish contributed to the
commercial and recreational harvest and to some extent augmented the spawning
population. The Albemarle Sound commercial fishery was sampled annually, 1986-
1991, to determine size, age, and sex composition. The catch was dominated by
age II-IV fish. The size, age, and sex composition of the Roanoke River spawning
population was determined annually, 1986-1991. Females age IV and older
accounted for 12.9-86.4%, which was a decrease from the 1981-1984 seasons. A
cooperative effort to assess the age composition of the Atlantic migratory stock
overwintering off North Carolina and Virginia has been conducted annually since
winter 1988. A total of 6,343 striped bass was tagged from False Cape, VA to
Cape Hatteras, NC, ranging in size from 288-1,255 mm TL. The 1988 and 1989
samples were dominated by the 1982 and 1983 year classes, while the 1990 and 1991
samples were dominated by the 1983 and 1984 year classes. Limited Atlantic Ocean
striped bass fisheries were opened in 1990 and 1991. The 1983 and 1984 year
classes dominated the commercial harvest in both seasons.

INTRODUCTION

Declines in the commercial and recreational striped bass (Morone saxatilis)
fisheries and low reproduction levels along the Atlantic coast from the late
1970's to the present, prompted federal management initiatives to conserve and
restore the Atlantic migratory striped bass stocks (ASMFC 1981). North Carolina
striped bass stocks, of which the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River population is the
principal component, were experiencing a similar decline due to poor water
quality conditions, habitat alteration, and continued fishing on a reduced
population (Street and Johnson 1977 and 1982, Street 1986). Information from the
current AFS-26 project, together with past data on these fisheries, are vital for
the preparation and implementation of fishery management plans at the State,
regional, and national levels, under the coordination of the Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). Information generated by project AFS-26
updates and complements, the historical long-term monitoring database for the
Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River stock of striped bass. This project data provides
the basis for evaluation Of stock condition in North Carolina. These data are
essential in guiding the present and future management of the Albemarle Sound
area fisheries and in striped bass conservation/ restoration efforts.

Literature Review
Street and Hall (1973) completed an Annotated Bibliography of Anadromous Fishes
of North Carolina through 1972. They provided historical literature and
information for the current project. An extensive literature review was
conducted throughout the project period to provide current information. The
literature cited provides a listing of the available literature.

STUDY I: STRIPED BASS JUVENILE ABUNDANCE

NEED: Long-term indices of juvenile abundance by species is required for fishery
management considerations, including stock-recruitment relationships, evaluation
of environmental factors affecting recruitment, and health of the aquatic system.
Juvenile monitoring data provide the earliest indication of year class strength
and an important f i shery- independent measure of spawning success. This
monitoring provides relative abundance of the Albemarle /Roanoke striped bass
stock prior to recruitment of each year class into the recreational and
commercial fisheries.

The continuation of a long-term data base of juvenile indices, should make
it possible to determine if factors other than fishing such as temperature or
river f low af f ect recruitment of a given species to a f ishery. Monitoring of the
associated environmental factors may give early insight to possible changes in
future stock size. Data showing simultaneous changes in the abundance of several

species that cannot be correlated with a change in fishing effort may indicate
a change in the environment and indicate the health of the aquatic system.

OBJECTIVE: To determine an annual relative abundance index of juvenile striped
bass in the Albemarle Sound area

APPROACH

Western Albemarle Sound SurveV
In the western Albemarle Sound area, bi-weekly sampling was conducted at
seven established trawl stations July through October, 1985-1990 (Figure 1) .
Each station was towed for a period of 15 minutes. These stations were sampled
to determine the relative abundance index or catch-per-unit-ef fort (CPUE) of
young-of-year striped bass for the Albemarle-Roanoke population.

Eastern Albemarle Sound Su@vev (Central and Eastern Albemarle Sound)
Twelve trawl stations established in 1984 and described by Winslow et al.
(1985) were sampled bi-weekly during July through October, 1985-1990 in the
central and eastern Albemarle Sound to determine the relative abundance index
(CPUE) of juvenile striped bass (Figure 1) . Trawl tow time for each station was
10 minutes.

All stations were sampled with a 5.5 m (18 ft) head rope, semi-balloon
trawl, constructed of webbing which ranged from 19.1 mm (0.75 in) stretched mesh
in the body to 12.7 mm (0.5 in) in the cod end. All striped bass captured were
measured to the nearest millimeter, fork length (mm, FL). Other species captured
were also measured and noted, as were environmental conditions (water temperature
and salinity).

FINDINGS

Western Albemarle Sound Survey

The 1985-1990 relative abundance or CPUE values for the western Albemarle

-1987 and 1990 relative
Sound sampling area are shown in Figure 2. The 1985
abundance values fell far below the 26-year (1955-1980) mean of 6.8 as reported
by Hassler et al. (1981). In 1988 and 1989, relative abundance increased to near
historic levels, and were the highest values obtained since 1976. The increased
abundance observed during 1988 and 1989 represent the first time since 1975 and
1976 that two consecutive relative abundance values were greater than 4.0. These
increased abundance values have been attributed to the beneficial effects of
water flow modifications from the Roanoke River reservoir system, favorable
habitat or environmental conditions, and reflect harvest restrictions implemented
by the North Carolina fishery resource management agencies during the late 1980s
(ASMFC 1990).

NORTH CAROLINA

SHOWING LOCATION OF

ALbEWAALE SOUND

WIMERRIN Pa UOTANK 0
AlviR
iVER WORTH
IVER AT '-ANTIC
0

LITTLE
0
IVER C,

PEROUVANS
COLERAIN A

CHOWAN YEOPIN
R IV EX R I tz R

ALBEMARLE SOUND

CASHIt ROVER

SCUPPERMONG
RIVER
ROANO it rL it PLYMOUTH A L LI GAT 01% 0
WILLIAMST it I V f R
Western station

Central and
Eastern station PAMLI

Figure 1. Station locations for young-of-year striped bass sampli
Albemarle Sound area, NC, 1985-1990.

E 5 4.3
L 4.1
A
T
1 4-
V
E

A
B 3-
U
N T-
D
A
N 2- 1.4
C
E

I
N 1
D 0.3 0.3
E 0.1
x

0
1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

YEAR

Figure 2. Relative abundance of juvenile striped bass, western Albemarle
Sound, NC, 1985-1990.

Eastern Albemarle Sound Survey
The relative abundance values for the 1985 through 1990 sampling seasons
are shown in Figure 3. The 1984 juvenile value (0.2) was higher than those
observed in 1985 (0) and 1986 (0), approximately equal to 1987 (0.2), and 1990
(0.3) and considerably lower than 1988 (0.5) and 1989 (3.7).

CONCLUSIONS
The relative abundance index of juvenile striped bass was determined
annually from 1985 through 1990, in the Albemarle Sound area. The monitoring of
juvenile abundance indices provides the earliest indication of year class
strength and indicates a relationship with subsequent landings. Phalen (1988)
reported that as a result of the similarity in methods of DMF and Hassler's
(1955-1987) surveys the estimates should be comparable for the western sound.

The very low relat'ive "abundance levels for this project and those reported
by Hassler et al. (1981) and Hassler and Taylor (1986b and 1988) for the 1985-
1987 seasons, in the western Albemarle Sound area, indicate poor reproductive
success has been experienced since 1977. Juvenile production in 1988 and 1989
approached historic levels and represent the first time since the 1975 and 1976
seasons that two consecutive CPUEs were greater than 4.0. The high abundance of
the 1988 and 1989 year classes in the commercial harvest is reflective of the
increased production.

This study has provided a relative abundance index for the western
Albemarle Sound area (1985-1990), which is a reliable indicator of future
recruitment to the fishery. Gibson and Crecco (1991) reported a positive
correlation between the western juvenile indices and their relative contribution
to the Albemarle commercial fishery landings at ages 3 and 4. Continuation of
the western sound data base through monitoring will allow juvenile abundance
indices to be compared with historical indices to allow trends and year classes
to be accessed. Monitoring will also allow further comparison to landings data
where the age composition is known.

The significance of the values determined in the eastern sound has not been
determined. The sampling in the eastern sound area currently provides a
monitoring database. Additional juvenile information from the eastern sound may
prove that what appeared to be a moderate year class, as observed in the western
Albemarle Sound in 1989, may have been a much stronger year class.

Both databases should be assessed and utilized to further document year
class strength. The western sound area provides a reliable juvenile abundance
index. Continuing the monitoring in the eastern sound area may lead to future
reliability of a combined or an eastern juvenile abundance index. Comparisons

R 5
E
L
A
T
1 3.7
V
E

A
B 3-
U
N
D
A
N 2-
C
E

I
N 1 0.5
D 0.2 0.2 0.3
E 0 0
x

0-
1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

YEAR

Figure 3. Relative abundance of juvenile striped bass, eastern Albemarle
Sound, NC, 1984-1990.

of each data base through time will allow trends to be followed. General
comparisons between the two areas will provide a relative indicator of juvenile
distribution and abundance. These juvenile abundance values will continue to be
used by state and federal agencies as an index to assess population status and
to direct management efforts.

STUDY II: ADULT STRIPED BASS UTILIZATION AND MIGRATION
NEED: With the decline of striped bass stocks since the mid-1970s, it appears
that historical migration, distribution, and utilization data are not sufficient
for current management needs. Therefore, current information on migration and
utilization is needed for the various fisheries.

An integral part of fisheries management is the allocation of the harvest
to different user groups. The North Carolina fisheries management system's
flexibility provides the ability to adjust seasons, and quotas, based on analysis
of field data. Returns of tags from fish marked in Albemarle and Croatan sounds
should indicate utilization of the resource and provide a portion of the
information on which allocation decisions are made. Knowledge of migration
patterns will be utilized in state and interstate management activities.

OBJECTIVE: To determine migration and utilization of adult striped bass which
overwinter in the Alligator River, Croatan and Albemarle sounds

APPROACH

In the Albemarle and Croatan sounds, trawling was conducted annually during
the winter months, 1985-1988, to capture, tag, and release overwintering striped
bass (Figure 4). Two vessels were employed: (1) the 44 ft R/V CAROLINA COAST,
which utilized two 9.1 m (30 ft) fish trawls, and (2) the 26 ft R/V BATCHELOR
BAY, which utilized a 7.9 m (26 ft) fish trawl. Tow times ranged from 10 to 45
minutes. Secondary capture methods were hook-and-line and anchored gill nets.
During 1989, trawling was eliminated due to limited success and the principal
capture methods were hook-and-line and anchor gill nets. The predominantly used
tag was the Floy FT-1 dart tag during 1985-1989, while some smaller fish were
tagged with cinch-up spaghetti tags. Both the dart and spaghetti tags were
inserted near the soft dorsal fin. The principle capture methods employed during
Fall 1990 and Winter 1991 were commercial pound nets and anchor gill nets.
Healthy fish were marked with individually applied tags and released immediately
upon tagging. The Floy FM-84 internal anchor streamer tag, inserted in the
abdominal cavity on the left side of the body just behind the pectoral fin, was
the predominantly used tag in 1990 and 1991. Some smaller fish were tagged with
cinch-up spaghetti tags.

NORTH CAROLINA

INOWING LOCATION OF

AtIjEMARLI SOUND

PA UOTANK
MENFRAIN
OVER NORTH
IVIR IVER
ATLAN

LITTLE 0
c

PEROLIMANS c
COLERAIN RIVER

CHOWAN Y[OPIM
01 0
RIVER
/
BEmARLE SOUND
A L

CAIHII RIVER

d%
SCUPPERNIOWG

RIVER

PLYMOUTH ALLIGATOR
ROANO It EA RIVER
WiLLIAMIT

Ar,:@as

1@ PA

Figure 4. Sampling area for adult striped bass tagging, Albemarle and Cz
sounds, NC, Fall and Winter, 1985-1991.

Size, age, and sex data was to be obtained from at least 10% of the striped
bass captured. other species captured were also noted, as were environmental
conditions (salinity, conductivity, and water temperature).

Tagging kits consisting of dart tags, applicators, and log books were
supplied to volunteer sport fishermen during the winters of 1986 and 1987. All
information was coded and entered into the DMF biological database. Recapture
information was used to determine direction, distance, seasonality of movement,
and harvest rates by various fisheries.

The tagging programs were widely publicized. Rewards were offered for the
return of the tags and pertinent information concerning the recapture. Letters
were sent to all persons returning tags, providing information on when and where
the fish was released.

FINDINGS
Attempts to capture and tag adult striped bass using fish trawls during the
fall and winter, 1985-1989, resulted in few fish tagged. Trawling was conducted
in December 1985, January 1986, January and February 1987, and February 1988
throughout the Croatan and Albemarle sound areas (Figure 4). Eight striped bass
were captured, tagged, and released; no recaptures have been reported. Due to
the limited success achieved with trawls, other methods of capture were employed
with limited success, principally hook-and-line (1986-1988) and anchor gill nets
(1988).

Tagging kits were supplied to three volunteer taggers during the winters
of 1986 and 1987. Volunteer anglers tagged four striped bass in the Alligator
River area during February, 1986. one of these fish was recaptured by gill net
in Croatan Sound during March, 1987 (395 days at large and 28 miles from release
site).

Three striped bass were captured during the Fall 1988 by hook-and-line and
tagged in the Chowan River. One fish was tagged and released near Colerain on
10 September 1988. Two fish were tagged near the mouth of Chowan River on 15
November 1988. One of the November tagged fish was at large 442 days prior to
recapture by hook-and-line at the same site in January 1990.

Five striped bass were captured by gill net and tagged in the western
Albemarle Sound on 22 November 1988. Two of these fish were recaptured by
commercial gill nets in western Albemarle Sound. The first recapture occurred
on 30 December 1988 (38 days at large) near the mouth of Chowan River, a distance
of 7 miles from the release site. The second fish was recaptured approximately
5 miles east of the release site on 10 March 1989 after 108 days at large.

No directed gill net or hook-and-line tagging effort was expended during
1989 due to the prior limited success during 1985-1988,

During 1990, tagging efforts shifted to the eastern Albemarle Sound and
portions of the Croatan and Roanoke sounds to tag fish caught in pound nets. A
total of 420 striped bass was tagged and released during 19-26 November 1990.
Thirty-two tags have been returned, of which 14 (43.7%) were by hook-and-line
fishermen, 14 (43.7%) were from commercial gill netters, and 4 (12.6%) tags from
pound net fishermen. All tag returns were from the Albemarle and Croatan sounds,
Roanoke River, or Chowan River areas. Nine returns (30%) came from the Roanoke
River spawning grounds hook-and-line recreational fishery.

From December 1990 through March 1991, two hundred and eighty-two striped
bass were captured, tagged, and released through the Fishery Independent Gill Net
Survey for Albemarle Sound 8triped Bass (North Carolina Striped Bass Study
Management Board Work Order No. 90-1 and 91-1). Twenty-two recaptures have been
reported thus far. Recreational hook-and-line fishermen returned the majority
of the tags (N=17, 77.3%), with 11 of these returns coming from the Roanoke River
spawning area. Commercial gill netters in Albemarle sound accounted for the
remaining five tag returns (22.7%).

Fifty-eight recaptures have been reported from the 722 fish tagged during
1985-1991 in the Albemarle area for an 8.0% return rate. Percent return rate by
gear indicating utilization for the 58 recaptures included, 55.2% recreational
hook-and-line, 37.9% commercial gill net, and 6.9% from commercial pound nets.
Twenty (34.5%) of the fifty-eight recaptures were returned by hook-and-line
fishermen from the Roanoke River spawning area.

CONCLUSIONS
Due to the reduced status of the Albemarle/Roanoke stocks throughout the
mid-1980s, capture and subsequent tagging of striped bass to determine migration
and utilization by the various fisheries met with very limited success during the
1985-1989 period. only 20 fish were tagged from 1986 through 1988. Tagging from
pound nets (Fall 1990) and from gill nets (Fall 1990-Winter 1991) proved to be
successful due to the increased abundance of the 1988 and 1989 year classes, with
702 fish tagged.

The objective to determine migration and utilization of adult striped bass
which overwinter in the Croatan and Albemarle sounds has been difficult to
achieve, due to the limited number of fish that were tagged. A return rate of
8.0% was determined for the entire project period. The tag return data shows
that the tagged fish have contributed to the commercial and recreational harvest
and participated in the spawning population. The higher percentage (34.5%) of

returns from the spawning grounds by hook-and-line may be a result of the fish
being concentrated in a relatively small area with a large amount of directed

effort.

All recoveries were from within the Albemarle Sound area showing no
contribution to the Atlantic migratory stock. Historical adult tag recovery
databases (Merriman 1941; Vladykov and Wallace 1952; Davis and Sykes 1960;
Chapoton and Sykes 1961; Nichols and Cheek 1966; Street et al. 1975; Johnson et
al. 1977; Hassler et al. 1981; Hassler and Taylor 1986a) suggest that the
Albemarle /Roanoke striped bass stock is composed principally of a discrete
resident population which contributes insignificantly to the Atlantic migratory

stocks.

STUDY III: STRIPED BASS SPAWNING STOCK UTILIZATION AND MIGRATION
NEED: Albemarle/Roanoke striped bass are considered to be a stock with different
migration habits relative to the Atlantic migratory population of striped bass
which has historically been dominated by Chesapeake Bay fish. Tagging Roanoke
River spawners will provide much needed data to further evaluate the possible
contribution of North Carolina striped bass to the Atlantic migratory stocks.

Tagging of adult striped bass (spawning stock) from the Roanoke River delta
area will provide timely information on the utilization (commercial and
recreational) and migration patterns of Albemarle/ Roanoke striped bass.

As stated in Study II, allocation of harvest to various user groups is
extremely important. Tag returns will provide information for allocation
decisions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine migration and utilization of adult Albemarle/ Roanoke
striped bass spawning stock

APPROACH
Striped bass participating in the spawning run were captured, tagged, and
released in the Roanoke River, Batchelor Bay, and Edenton Bay areas (Figure 5).
Capture methods were pound net, electrofishing, hook-and-line, and anchored gill
nets. Healthy striped bass were marked with internal anchor streamer, cinch-up,
or dart tags as described in Study II. Some fish were held for a short time to
assess their condition; otherwise, they were released immediately after tagging.
Up to 500 fish were to be marked and released annually. Assistance in capture
and tagging was provided by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the NC
Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC).

US 301

Weldon

Scotland Neck US 258 0
z

Iva
Z
Palmyra M
;a

NCI
Windsor
04
H milton
Release C'OAI, V4W
Areas O)YO
'F'fC Williarnston
US 17 Plyrn uth 0
0 (@r

Jamesville

Figure 5. Release areas for the Roanoke/Albemarle striped bass spawning stock
tagging, Roanoke River and western Albemarle Sound, NC, including
Batchelor Bay and Edenton Bay, 1988-1991.

Tagging information was entered into the DMF biological database and
assessed to determine direction, distance, seasonality of movement, and harvest
rates by various fisheries. The reward system and publicizing of the program was
the same as previously described in Study II.

FINDINGS
Thirty-seven striped bass were collected from the Roanoke River spawning
area during 1988 and utilized by the USFWS Edenton National Fish Hatchery as
brood stock. These fish were tagged and released in Albemarle Sound after
spawning. Nine recaptures have been reported, five (56%) by hook-and-line, one
(11%) by pound net, and three (33%) by anchor gill net, all from the Albemarle
Sound or Roanoke River.

During 1989, twenty-@hree striped bass, taken from the Roanoke River
spawning area were released in Albemarle Sound. No returns have been reported.
In addition, four female fish were tagged and released on the Roanoke River
spawning grounds. One of those fish was recaptured 17 days later in the same
area by a recreational angler.

Seventy-four striped bass were tagged and released from the Roanoke River
spawning area during 1990. one fish was recaptured by a recreational angler in
the western Albemarle Sound. In addition, two hundred eighty-nine fish were
tagged from various gears in the lower Roanoke River-Batchelor Bay area during
the spring 1990 spawning run. No returns from this tagging were reported until
the harvest season reopened in January 1991. The majority of those recaptures
occurred in April 1991. Sixteen total returns were reported, however, one return
was from a Virginia fish house and neither the recapture site nor gear was known.
The other 15 recaptures were reported from Albemarle Sound and its tributaries
and included nine (60.0%) from recreational anglers, four (26.6%) from commercial
gill nets, one (6.7%) from a pound net, and one (6.7%) from the DMF fishery
independent gill net survey. Eight (53.3%) of the recaptures were reported by
recreational anglers from the Roanoke River spawning area during April.

Tagging ef fort for spring 1991 was concentrated in the upper Roanoke River
near Roanoke Rapids and Weldon. Through a WRC project entitled "Roanoke River
Striped Bass Spawning Stock Assessment" funded by the NC Striped Bass Study
Management Board (Work Order 91-10) (Nelson and Kornegay 1991), 1,657 striped
bass were captured with electrofishing gear, tagged, and released. Twenty-seven
returns have been reported. Recreational hook-and-line accounted for 24 (88.9%)
of the returns, with the majority (N=19) being reported from the upper Roanoke
River tagging area. Two hook-and-line recaptures were reported from the lower
Roanoke River and three from the Albemarle Sound area. One (3.7%) of the 27
recaptures was caught in the DMF fishery independent gill net survey in western

Albemarle Sound and two fish (7.4%) were found dead in Roanoke River. In
addition, six fish captured by hook-and-line were tagged and released in the
upper Roanoke River and 31 fish were tagged from pound nets in the Batchelor Bay
area of western Albemarle Sound during 1991. No returns have been reported from
these 37 fish.

A summary of the tagging efforts conducted during 1988-1991, including
numbers of fish tagged, tagging location, capture gear, and recapture information
by gear, is contained in Table 1.

CONCLUSIONS
Tagging of Albemarle/ Roanoke striped bass spawning stock during each
spring, 1988-1991, proved to be very beneficial in determining resource
utilization and migration of,this stock. Fifty-three recaptures (2.4%) have been
1, '1
reported from the 2,093 fish thgged during spring spawning runs. All the returns
were reported from the Roanoke River or Albemarle Sound area.

Sixty-one percent (N=31) of the recaptures came from recreational anglers
fishing on the Roanoke River spawning grounds. The return rate by gear type for
the Albemarle Sound area indicates the following utilization: 78% recreational
anglers, 18% commercial gill nets, and 4% commercial pound nets * These data
indicate that the tagged fish have contributed to both the commercial and
recreational harvest of the Albemarle area.

Hassler et al. (1981) and Hassler and Taylor (1986a) reported 12,619
striped bass were tagged and released from the Roanoke River spawning migration
from 1956-1984 and 3,328 tags (26.4%) have been recovered. None of these tag
returns have been recovered outside of North Carolina, indicating that the
Albemarle/Roanoke fish do not exhibit the age and sex specific migratory habits
exhibited by other Atlantic migratory stocks. It has been generally concluded
(Street et al. 1975), based on tagging studies (Merriman 1941; Valdykov and
Wallace 1952; Austin and Custer 1977; Boreman and Lewis 1987) and other
information (Koo 1970), that striped bass in Albemarle Sound and its tributaries
form a discrete, self-sustaining population contributing little, if any, to the
Atlantic coastal migratory population. The returns reported during this project
reinforce the historical observations (Trent and Hassler 1968) that the
Albemarle/ Roanoke striped bass are relatively restricted to Albemarle Sound and
adjacent coastal waters.

Hassler and Taylor (1984 and 1986a) reported that the majority of their
returns from 1982-1984 taggings came from commercial gear in Albemarle Sound,
whereas the majority of the recaptures during the present study (1988-1991) came
from recreational anglers during the Roanoke River spawning run.

Table 1, Summary of striped bass spawning stock tagging and re captures by location
and gear type, 1988-1991. Returns by gear
Total Hook DMF gill
Capture Release Total recap- Gill Pound & net
Year gear location ta7-jzed tures net net line survey

1988 EL Albemarle Sound 37 9 3 1 5
(Edenton Bay)

1989 EL Albemarle Sound 23 0
(Edenton Bay)

1989 EL Roanoke River 4 1 1
(Spawning area)

1990 EL Roanoke River 46 1 1
(Spawning area)

1990 PN Albemarle Sound 243 14** 4 1 1 1
(Batchelor Bay)

1990 HL Albemarle Sound 41 1 1
(Batchelor Bay)

1990 GN Albemarle Sound 5 0
(Batchelor Bay)

1991 EL Roanoke River 1,657 25*** 24 1
(Spawning area)

1991 HL Roanoke River 6 0
(Spawning area)

1991 PN Albemarle Sound 31 0
(Batchelor Bay)

Total number 2,093 51 7 2 40 2

Percent of total 14% 4% 78% 4%

*EL = Electroshocking One additional recapture was reported from
PN = Found net Virginia; recapture site and gear was not
HL = Hook and line known.
GN = Gill net
Two additional returns were reported from
dead fish found in the Roanoke River.

It appears from the limited tag returns, that utilization has shifted from
a fishery that was commercially dominated to a recreationally dominated harvest *
This shift in utilization may be due to the extensive regulatory measures
implemented on the Albemarle area commercial fisheries, or the concentrated
recreational effort on the spawning grounds. Documentation of this shift among
the resource user groups needs to be verified through additional utilization
information.

Recaptures reported from the 1989 and 1990 tagging studies decreased
significantly when compared to the 1988 tagging. This decrease in tag returns
is principally due to the extensive harvest closures implemented in 1989 and
1990. Also, many fishermen may be reluctant to provide recapture information to
fishery management agencies when harvest seasons are closed or restricted.
Fishermen sometimes feel that cooperation with regulatory agencies may further
impact their ability to utilize the resource. However, a change from this
attitude is evident from the most recent tag returns (1991), as fishermen
perceive that the harvest restrictions are helping to restore the striped bass
population.

STUDY IV: EVALUATION OF COASTAL STRIPED BASS STOCKING
NEED: Stockings have been utilized to enhance striped bass populations where
depressed stocks existed. Guier et al. (1980) recommended experimental stocking
in coastal North Carolina, and work began in 1980 on rearing and stocking Phase
II striped bass (Winslow and Johnson 1984).

Phase II fish were stocked exclusively for three reasons: (1) natural
reproductive success is monitored annually in the Albemarle Sound area, through
juvenile sampling (Study I) and Phase 1 (1-5 in) stocking in mid-summer could
significantly bias juvenile abundance indices; (2) late summer and early fall
environmental conditions such as low dissolved oxygen levels, and blue green
algae blOOMB) in the Albemarle Sound area lead to occasional kills of juvenile
striped bass, therefore stocking Phase II fish in late fall allows the fish to
avoid Albemarle Sound during that critical period; and (3) Phase II fish are
large enough to bear an external tag. The recapture of tagged fish will enable
distribution, migration, utilization and contribution to the fishery to be
determined from each area stocked. Continuation of stocking is needed to augment
the basic spawning stock during the current period of limited natural
reproduction. Marking a portion the fish stocked is necessary to evaluate the
stocking.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of striped bass stocking on the fisheries and
natural populations

APPROACH
Brood fish from various spawning areas, using the techniques of Bonn et al.
(1976), were artificially spawned and the larvae reared at the US Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) National Fish Hatcheries, located at Edenton and
McKinney Lake, North Carolina. Phase II fish were harvested from ponds in late
fall and early winter at approximately 102-254 mm (4-10 in).

Prior to stocking, a portion of the fish were tagged with cinch-up
spaghetti tags (approximately 5 in long) or internal anchor tags (approximately
2.5 in long). Tagged fish were held two to seven days prior to stocking to
establish short-term tagging mortality rates. The fish were transported by the
USFWS to appropriate stocking locations and released.

The stocking and tagging programs were widely publicized. Rewards were
offered for the return of tags and pertinent information concerning recapture.
Letters were sent to all persons returning tags providing information on when and
where the fish were released.

FINDINGS
During the project, 457,242 Phase II striped bass were released in coastal
North Carolina. Of the total, 28,496 were tagged prior to stocking, and 921
(3.2%) have been returned (Table 2). All of the tag returns have occurred from
the internal waters of North Carolina, indicating no evidence of contribution to
the Atlantic Ocean migratory stock.

Phase II striped bass were released in the Albemarle Sound area annually
during 1986-1990, in the Neuse River in 1986, 1988, and 1990, in the Pamlico
River area in 1987, and in the Cape Fear River in 1989 (Figure 6). 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 - 1986-1990
A total of 17,007 tagged Phase II striped bass was released in the
Albemarle Sound area from January 1986 through December 1990 (Figure 7). Since
the stockings occurred, 4.5% of the tags have been returned. Table 2 presents
the annual stocking figures, number of returns, and the methods of recapture.

The pre-recruit striped bass movements were the same for each stocking
regardless of the release site and similar to those reported by Winslow and
Johnson (1984). This was especially true along the southeastern shore of
Albemarle Sound and the Alligator River during the winters. During the spring,

Table 2. Summary of Phase II striped bass stockings, returns, and recapture gears from coastal North
Carolina, 1986-1991

Recapture Rear
Percent Hook
Total returns &
number Number Returns after Gill nets Pound nets line
System sto ked stocked tagp:ed No. % recruitment No. % No. % No. %

Albemarle Sound area- 45,200 1,110 35 3.2 48.6 30 85.7 0 5 14.3
Jan 1986

Neuse River area- 39,769 2,199 58 2.6 17.3 45 77.6 0 13 22.4
Jan 1986

Albemarle Sound area- 118,345 4,999 443 8.9 23.1 432 97.5 1 0.3 10 2.2
Dec 1986 1

Albemarle Sound area- 15,435 2,499 179 7.2 38.6 168 93.7 0 - 11 6.1
Dec 1987

Pamlico River area- 17,993 2,500 34 1.4 5.9 28 82.3 0 - 6 17.7 00
Dec 1987

Neuse River area- 71,092 2,500 11 0.4 63.6 6 54.5 0 - 5 45.5
Dec 1988

Albemarle Sound area- 5,000 5,000 82 1.6 15.9 81 98.8 0 - 1 1.2
Dec 1988

Albemarle Sound area- 3,289 1,399 8 0.5 0 8 100.0 0 - 0 -
Dec 1989

Cape Fear River area- 77,242 1,298 19 1.5 0 18 94.7 0 - 1 5.3
Dec 1989

Albemarle Sound area- 2,000 2,000 0 - 0 0 - 0 - 0 -
Dec 1990

Neuse River area- 61,877 2,992 52 1.7 0 46 88.5 0 - 5 9.6
Dec 1990

Total 457,242 28,496 921 3.2

7 7 7 76

RIVER

CHOWAN IVER
Jon
1986
ROANOKE RIVER 1987

36 COASTAL NORTH CAROLINA 1988 ALBEMARLE OUND 36-
Dec
1986
Dec 1 86
19 1990

TAN 0
RIVER 1987

Euse "Ivan
PAUL C RIVER

1986 PAMLICO SOUND
1988 CAPE
1990 HATTERAS
--35 TRENT RIVER 35-

NEW
RIVER

NORTHEAST
CAPE FEAR CAPE FEAR RIVER CAPE LOOKOUT
RIVER
1989 Reiease site ATLANTIC OCEAN
34 34

CAPEFEAR
78 77 76

Figure 6. Release sites of Phase II striped bass stockings, 1986-1990.

NORTH CAROLINA

INOWING LOCATION OF

ALSIMARLE SOUwD

ME "ERRIN PA UOTANX
Alvin IVER WORTM
IVER
AT.AWT I

LITTLE
0
IVER

PEROUMANS
COLERAIN RIVER

CHOWAN TIOPIN
RIVER RI PI
ALBEMARL "U"4$ FALL
4 AND
CAS1411E RIVER 40 SPRING WINTE
SCUPPERNONG .0
Of
RIVER
ROANO it IR PLYMOUTH ALLIGATOR
W LLIAMST Release sites RIVER

Return and
movement patterns

PAM

Figure 7. General return and movement patterns of Ph 'ase II striped
stocked, Albemarle Sound area, NC, 1986-1991.

a general movement to the western sound was observed. As the winter months
approached, the returns again were from the eastern sound area (Figure 7).

The majority of the returns have consistently been from gill nets (85.7-
100%) with hook and line accounting for any remainder (Table 2). Many of the
early returns prior to recruitment into the fisheries were a result of
entanglement of the tag in gill net webbing. However, since the fish have
reached legal size the percentage of return from all gear has ranged from 15.9%
to 48.6%. These data confirm that stocked fish have contributed to the

commercial and recreational fisheries in the area.

During this project, four returns were from the spawning grounds on the
Roanoke River, each occurring during May (Table 3). Two additional returns were
from the Roanoke River in May 1990, but not from the spawning area. However,
these fish may have been participating in the spawning migration. Winslow and
Johnson (1984) reported eleven Phase II tag returns from the spawning grounds in
Roanoke River. The returns from the spawning grounds indicate that the stocked
fish have contributed to the spawning population. Due to the known age of these
fish an assumption of contribution can be made.

Neuse River Area
The Neuse River was stocked with 7,691 tagged Phase II fish during the
project (Figure 8) and 121 (1.6%) have been returned. The stocking numbers,
returns and recapture gears are shown in Table 2.

The movements of these Phase II striped bass from the various stockings
were similar to that reported for the Neuse River area by Winslow and Johnson
(1984). The majority of the returns occurred between the release site and the
mouth of Goose Creek (Figure 8).

Gill nets have accounted for the majority of the returns from the Neuse
River area (Table 2). The percentage of hook and line returns ranged from 9.6-
45.5%. Returns have occurred from both sectors of the fishery since the 1986 and
1988 stockings reached legal size.

Pamlico River Area
A total of 2,500 tagged Phase II striped bass was released in the Pamlico
River area during December 1987 (Figure 9). Thirty-four tags (1.4%) have been
returned (Table 2).

Eighty-two percent of the returns occurred from the area between Washington
and Goose Creek (Figure 9). This percentage is higher than that reported by
Winslow and Johnson (1984) for the 1983 stocking (48%) and Winslow et al. (1985)

Table 3. Phase II striped bass tag returns (N=4) from the
Roanoke River spawning grounds as the result of
various Albemarle Sound area stockings, 1986-1990.

Miles
recaptured
from
Release Recapture Days release
date date at large site

Jan 1986 May 1987 503 172

Dec 1986 May 1988 526 142

Dec 1986 May 1989 885 135

Dec 1987 May 1989 522 172

WASHINGTON BELHAVEN

0 RELEASE SITE
Primary CIO
recapture site
%q@,Co

NEW BERN 0

RIVER

0 161

Figure 8. Primary recapture location of Phase II striped bass released
Neuse River, NC, 1986, 1988, and 1990.

WASHINGTON BELHAVEN

RELEASE SITE Go r'C't
Cikf-EV- CIO
Primary
recapture site
N'iftico
10

P
S

NEw BERN

RIVER

0 Use

miles

Figure 9. Primary recapture location Phase II striped bass released
Pamlico River, NC, 1987.

for the 1984 stocking (76%). No returns occurred from outside the Tar-Pamlico
River drainage from the 1987 stocking. Winslow and Johnson (1984) and Winslow
et al. (1985) reported significant returns from below Goose Creek in Pamlico
River, the Pungo, and Neuse rivers, and Albemarle Sound.

The majority of the tag returns were from gill nets prior to recruitment
into the fishery. Hook and line returns have accounted for 17.7%. Only 5.9% of
the returns have occurred from the commercial and recreational fisheries since
the fish attained legal size (Table 2).

Cape Fear River Area
In December 1989, 1,298 tagged Phase II fish were released in the Cape Fear
River (Figure 10), and 1.5% (N=19) have been returned (Table 2). All of these
returns occurred prior to the fish attaining legal size. of these returns, 94.7%
were taken by gill nets and t.3% by hook-and-line.

The recapture locations were similar to previous stockings as described by
Winslow and Johnson (1984) for 1980 and Winslow et al. (1985) for the 1984
stockings (Figure 10).

CONCLUSIONS
The results of these Phase II 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 are, to s ome
extent, augmenting the spawning population. All of the tag returns during this
project were from the internal waters of North Carolina. These returns indicate
no evidence of contribution to the Atlantic Migratory Stock from North Carolina.

Tagging a portion of Phase II 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.

STUDY V: ASSESSMENT OF ADULT STRIPED BASS
NEED: In order to adequately evaluate the status of the striped bass population
of Albemarle Sound, Roanoke River, and the Atlantic Ocean migratory stock which
overwinters off the North Carolina coast, the age and size composition of these
stocks must be sampled. Because male and female striped bass exhibit different
growth patterns, these data must be combined with data on sex of the fish
examined. The North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries participates in the

ROCKI'131
CREE IRELIEASE SITF-
WA ACE Primary recapture
1@ site
%01

C%
Nunn

PIKE CREEK

LOCK AND DAM
1010.1

CAPE FEAR RIVER

LIAINGTOIJ

TOWN CREEK

ORTON POND ATLANTIC OCEAN

w
w CAROLINA
WALVEN BEACH
CRE FonT FISHER
IOUTHPOnT

0 10 20

$CALE (MILES)

Figure 10. Primary recapture location Phase II striped bass relea9 ed in Cape
Fear River, NC, 1989.

interstate striped bass program of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries
Commission (ASMFC) and North Carolina striped bass come under the jurisdiction
of the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act (PL89-613). The North Carolina
Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) has enacted increasingly stringent regulations
to conserve striped bass. Current data on the status of the Albemarle/ oanoke
stock are essential for MFC deliberations. The ocean fishery for striped bass
off North Carolina is currently very limited, due to restrictions required by the
interstate program. Data on these fish are needed for coastwide assessment of
the status of the migratory stock.

OBJECTIVE: To determine size, age, and sex composition of the major striped bass
populations in North Carolina

JOB 1: Size, Age, and Sex Composition of Albemarle Sound Striped Bass
OBJECTIVE: To determine the size, age and sex composition for adult Albemarle
Sound striped bass harvest

APPROACH

Adult Sampling
A target of up to 500 striped bass was to be sampled annually to obtain
size, age, and sex data from the Albemarle Sound fishery. Approximately 30 fish
were to be sampled monthly at two or three locations (Figure 11) during the
commercial season, generally November-March.

Samples were taken in approximate proportion to the sizes of fish present
in the fish house. Individual fish were measured (mm, FL) , weighed (nearest - 01
kg) , and scales were taken for age determination. Sex was determined by the
Sykes (1958) method.

During 1986 through 1990 a portion of the scale samples was subsampled
annually for age according to Ketchen (1950). Scales were read and annuli
measured as described by Harriss et al. (1985). Age and year class were assigned
according to conventions developed by the ASMFC Striped Bass Scientific and
Statistical. Committee. In North Carolina, the time of annulus formation is
considered to be January. Age and year class are then assigned in consideration
of the date of capture relative to the January birthday. Thus, individuals from
a given year class could be assigned two different ages depending on the date of
capture.

Contribution of Year Class 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 January 1986 through April 1991. The number of

WORTH CAROLINA

INOWINO LOCATION OF

ALVEMARLE SOUND

MENEARIN FA UOTANX
RIViR IVER NORTH
IVER
AT ANT Ic

LITTLE
0
IVER
PEROUMANS 0
COLERA(H RIVER

CHOWAN YEOPIN
RIVER RI R

ALBEMARLE SOUND

CASHIZ RIVER

SCUPPERNONG
0
RIVER
ROANO A E R PLY MOUT H ALLIGATOR
W LLIANST RIVER 0

Commercial
fishhouse
FAMLI

Figure 11. Locations of Albemarle Sound area commercial fishhouses sampl
1986-1991.

individuals of each year class was followed monthly through the sampling period.
The number (N) of striped bass landed for a month of a particular 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 the mean weight of 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 (kq) x % wt of sex of year class
Z7F_ of sex of year class

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

FINDINGS

A total of 2,123 Istr,-,ped bass was sampled from three commercial fish
dealers in the Albemarle Sound area from January 1986-April 1991 (Figure 11).
of the total, 1,012 were male and 1,111 female, for a sex ratio of 0.91:1. Sex
ratios ranged from 0.61:1 to 1.73:1, male to female during the six seasons. The
range of these sex ratios were between those reported by Harriss et al. (1985)
and Winslow and Harriss (1986) for 1980-1985.

1986 Season
During January-March 1986, 150 striped bass were sampled from the Albemarle
Sound commercial harvest. The small sample was the result of a shortened
commercial striped bass season (90 days), which ended 31 March, and lack of
cooperation by dealers, who were retaliating against management and conservation
regulations (Street 1986). All fish were found suitable for age determination.

The length and weight ranges, by sex, and sex ratio data for the sampling
period are presented in Table 4. Striped bass from the 1984 year class (age II)
dominated the catch, comprising approximately 77% of the total sample (Table 5).
The length- frequency distribution was dominated by fish in the 351 mm to 400 mm
size range.

1986-1987 Season

A total of 454 striped bass was sampled from the Albemarle Sound commercial
harvest from November 1986 through April 1987. Scales from five of these fish
were unsuitable for age determination. Subsamples were taken from males and
females in the 300 to 350 mm size group and females in the 500 to 550 mm size

group.

Table 4 shows the length and weight ranges, by sex and the sex ratio for
the November 1986-April 1987 samples. Striped bass from the 1983-1985 year
classes (ages IV-II) dominated the catch, comprising approximately 92% of the

Table 4. Striped bass size ranges (length and weight) and sex ratios by harvest
season from the Albemarle Sound commercial fishery, 1986-1991.

Male Female Sex ratio
Harvest Fork length Weight Fork length Weight Male to
season range (mm) range MR) range (mm) range MR) female

Jan-Mar 1986 3,35-535 0.49-2.23 333-1,170 0.56-19.06 1.3:1

Nov 1986-Apr 1987 324-1,219 0.45-21.38 330-792 0.50-6.80 0.8:1

Nov 1987-Apr 1988 324-722 0.47- 4.99 329-1,041 0.47-13.18 0.7:1

Nov 1988-Apr 1989 316-564 0.47-3.12 308-668 0.44-4.99 0.6:1

Nov 1989-Apr 1990 332-742 0.46-6.80 326-1,120 0.45-19.96 1.2:1

Jan-Apr 1991 333-745 0.44-6.35 338-755 0.53-8.28 1.7:1

M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M

Table 5. Percent contribution by year class for striped bass (sexes combined) sampled from the Albemarle Sound, NC, area commercial harvest 1972-1991 (1972-1985 from
Street 1986).

FISHING YEAR
Year 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 93 19903 19913
class 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 19772 1978 1979' 1980' 1981' 1982 1983 1984' 1985' 1986' 19872 19883 198

1961 0.2 0.2
1962 0.1 0.2
1963 0.2 0.2 0.3
1964 0.7 0.4 1.6 0.3
1965 1.8 0.6 1.0 - 0.3
1966 2.8 2.4 1.0 0.6 0.1 0.7
1967 11.5 4.1 - 1.7 0.1 1.0
1968 22.5 7.7 0.3 2.9 1.5 2.0
1969 28.2 19.9 7.8 5.2 1.9 3.0
1970 30.2* 40.5 25.0 25.2 9.4 3.5 0.7 0.2
1971 23.8* 48.4 25.5 23.7 4.0
1972 14.6* 21.2 16.0 4.5 1.3 0.7
1973 17.4* 43.2 10.0 8.3 5.0 0.6 0.3 0.3 0.3
1974 4.1* 50.0 25.1 13.4 2.7 0.3 - 0.3 -
1975 21.0* 36.2 15.1 3.8 2.3 0.3 1.1 0.3
1976 29.1* 37.1 5.9 5.0 1.8 2.3 - 0.7
197 28.7* 7.4 3.7 4.9 3.1 1.5 0.1 -
1978 31.4* 9.4 9.5 5.6 1.8 0.4 -
1979 48.2 45.1* 34.9 16.4 11.8 0.6 0.7 0.7 0.3 0.3
1980 35.2 48.3* 38.1 15.0 1.0 0.7 0.8 0.3
1981 32.8* 3.8 1.8 0.4 0.5 -
1982 65.2* 23.7 7.3 6.7 2.0 0.2 0.6 0.5
1983 63.3* 12.6 19.6 4.8 0.4 0.6 -
1984 9.1 77.3* 21.8 13.2 4.3 1.1 0.9
1985 50.6* 28.0 24.7 3.1 0.9
1986 50.4* 28.2 11.7 2.7
1987 42.2* 7.5 12.8
1988 74.5* 61.2
1989 21.0*

Denotes age 11 fish
1. Only spring time sampling occurred.
2. 1976-1987 year-round sampling.
3. 1988-1991 seasonal sampling due to harvest season.

sample (Table 5). The largest male sampled during this season was 1,219 mm
and is possibly the largest and oldest (17 years) male recorded from the
Albemarle Sound. The total sample was comprised mainly of f ish in the 351 to 400
MM size range. Female fish in the 501 to 600 mm size range of ages IV and V
composed a significant portion (20%) of the commercial samples.

1987-1988 Season
During November 1987-April 1988, 400 samples were obtained from the
commercial harvest, of which 394 were suitable for ageing. Males and females in
the 351-400 mm size interval and females from 451-500 mm were subsampled for age,

The length and weight ranges and sex ratio are presented in Table 4. The
percent contribution of the year classes are shown in Table 5. Striped bass from
the 1984-1986 year classes (ages IV-II) dominated the catch, comprising
approximately 91% of the sampie. The sample was mainly composed of fish in the
351 to 400 mm size range, sexes combined. Female fish in the 451 to 600 mm size
range, ages II through V, comprised a significant portion (29%) of the commercial
samples.

1988-1989 Season
The Albemarle Sound area commercial harvest survey from November 1988
through April 1989, yielded 470 striped bass. Ten scale samples were unsuitable
for age determination. Both sexes were subsampled for age in the 351-400 mm and
451-500 mm size intervals and females in the 501-550 mm size group.

The length and weight ranges and sex ratio for the period are shown in
Table 4. Striped bass from the 1985-1987 year classes (ages IV-II) dominated the
catch, comprising approximately 95% of the sample (Table 5). Males and females
of the 351-400 mm size group and females in the 501-550 mm size group dominated
the sample.

1989-1990 Season
A total of 358 striped bass was sampled from the commercial harvest,
November 1989-April 1990. only one sample was unsuitable for age determination.
Subsamples for ageing were taken from both male and female in the 351 to 400 mm
size intervals.

Table 4 presents the length and weight ranges and sex ratio data. The
1986-1988 year classes (ages IV-II) dominated the catch, comprising approximately
94% of the sample (Table 5). However, age II fish (1988 year class) made up 75%
of the total sample. The sample was composed mainly of fish in the 351 to 400
mm size range for both sexes.

.1991 Season 33
From January through April 1991, 291 samples were obtained from the
commercial harvest. Scales from two of these fish were unsuitable for age
determination. Size intervals 401-500 mm, male and female, were subsampled for
age as previously described.

The length and weight ranges for both sexes during the period are shown in
Table 4, as well as sex ratio. The percent of each year class to the striped
bass harvest is presented in Table 5. Striped bass from the 1988 year class (age
III) dominated the catch, comprising approximately 61% of the total sample.
Males of the 401-451 mm size group and females in the 451-500 mm size group
dominated.

The percent contribution of e ach year class of striped bass for 1986
through 1991 are shown in TaSle 5. The age components of the 1986 and 1990
harvest are similar with age II fish, comprising greater than 74% of the entire
harvest. The 1987 through 1989 catch compositions are similar in that the age
II fish represented 42.2-50,6% of the total harvest sample, The contribution of
age III and IV fish combined (41-53%) were approximately equal to the age II
composition during 1987-1989. The 1991 age composition of age II fish was
significantly lower (21.0%) than the previous years. Age III fish represented
61.2% of the total harvest in 1991.

Contribution of Year Class to Harvest
The Albemarle Sound striped bass age and weight data from January 1986
through April 1991 were used to estimate the number of individuals in the
commercial harvest from each year class by month.

Based on the estimated number of individuals from the striped bass harvest,
January 1986 through April 1991, two and three year olds have consistently
dominated the harvest, ranging from 69.9-92%. The percentage of age V and older
fish (0.8-10%, Table 6) was higher than that reported by Winslow and Harriss
(1986) for October 1984-December 1985 (1.7%), except for January-March 1986. The
percentages found from the estimation of individuals by year class (Table 6) are
similar to those found by year class from ageing data, except for 1989 (70.4%)
and 1991 (82.2%-Table 5).

CONCLUSIONS
The size, age, and sex composition was determined annually, 1986-1991, for
the striped bass commercial fishery in Albemarle Sound. The fishery, principally
an anchor gill net fishery, continued to harvest a depressed population composed
mainly of fish two to four years of age. This agrees with the harvest

Table I Estimated percent contribution by year class of the striped bass
harvest from the Albemarle Sound, NC, commercial fishery, 1986-1991.

Year Fishing season
class 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991

1970 0.2 0.4 -
1972 - - 0.3
1975 - - 0.1
1976 0.2 - -
1979 0.2 1.0 - 0.1
1980 0*2 - 0.8 0.2
1981 - 0.6 0.9 -
1982 10.0 :8.0 2.2 0.1 0.3 0.2
1983 14.9 20.1 4.3 0.2 0.4 -
1984 74.3 24.8 16.3 2.2 0.7 0.7
1985 45.1 28.6 12.3 3.6 0.6
1986 46.6 12.1 10.7 1.5
1987 73.1 7.3 5.0
1988 76.6 50.1
1989 41.9

information reported by Harriss et al. (1985) and Winslow and HarriSB (1986) for
the 1980-1985 fishing seasons.

Data from this project and information presented in Harriss et al. (1985)
and Winslow and Harriss (1986) provide a long term sex and age specific database
for the commercial harvest spanning the period, July 1980 through April 1991.
Several conclusions can be made comparing the harvest seasons.

Approximately equal numbers of male and female fish were present through
age III. The number and proportion of males in the harvest generally decreased
as age increased, declining significantly beginning at age IV. Few males of age
V or greater were present in the harvest. The percentage of females in the
harvest increased significantly after age IV. Females of ages IV-VII were
consistently present in the Albemarle Sound harvest. The majority of females age
IV and greater were harvested in large mesh gill nets, which are fished in the
spring principally for American shad (Alosa sapadissima) in the spring.

Typically, the commercial fishery targets and harvests the most abundant
year classes available. During these years of low population levels, relatively
abundant year classes, such as 1984 and 1988, tend to dominate the harvest at age
II and effectively overshadow the contribution of older year classes. The
increased abundance of these two year classes were reflected in the 1986 and 1990
landings.

Comparison of harvest from the 1970s show that three or four year classes
each contributed 10% or more to the catch prior to 1980 (Table 5) (Street 1986).
It should be noted that prior to July 1976, only spring time sampling occurred
for age determination. Since 1980, two or three year classes have contributed
10% or more to the annual harvest. This change reflects the decreased annual
juvenile abundance indices which has occurred since 1977 in the Albemarle Sound
(Street 1986).

The fishery is increasingly dependent on one or two year classes as a
result of poor juvenile production. Prior to 1984, no single year class
contributed more than 50% to the harvest. During this project, single year
classes of age II fish accounted for over 50% of the total harvest in 1986-1988,

and 1990.

An increased minimum size limit and complimentary gill net mesh
restrictions would be beneficial for striped bass conservation. The North
Carolina Marine Fisheries Commission (MFC) increased the minimum size limit for
striped bass to 18 inches total length, in internal coastal waters, effective 1
November 1991. This was in compliance with Amendment No. 4 to the ASMFC Striped

Bass Management Plan (ASMFC 1989) for "producing areas," which includes Albemarle
Sound. The MFC has provided the Fisheries Director with proclamation authority
to limit or prohibit the use of gill nets in coastal waters and/or impose areas,
seasons, mesh sizes, lengths, and number of net restrictions.

Fishery size limits are designed to exclude a segment of the stock from
harvest (ASMFC 1989) and potentially allow more fish to reach sexual maturity.
The 18 inch TL minimum size limit will practically eliminate the harvest of age
II fish and delay initial fishing mortality for approximately one year. The
increased size limit will reduce fishing mortality on a large segment of the
Albemarle /Roanoke population, since age II fish have been a major portion of the
harvest since the 1980s.

A 24 inch TL size limit would be necessary to provide increased protection
to a portion of the female spawning population. Lewis (1962), Harriss et al.
(1985), and Olsen and Rulifson (1991) reported the principal age of maturity for
female Albemarle/Roanoke striped bass to be age IV.

The 24 inch TL size limit would eliminate the harvest of fish age IV and
younger and allow more females to reach maturity and spawn. Whereas, the 18 inch
size limit may direct additional harvest pressure towards age III and IV fish.

Gill net restrictions, will provide the means to reduce the bycatch of
striped bass less than the minimum size limit. 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.

A negative aspect of the increased size limit will be that sampling the
commercial harvest will not reflect the relative abundance of the various age
classes as in the past. The increased size limit will not provide fishery
managers the opportunity to utilize a portion of the inherent natural mortality
or bycatch mortality incurred by undersize fish to assess the population.

Early life history and adult information suggest that abnormally high
natural mortality, caused by various environmental changes, has contributed to
the Albemarle /Roanoke striped bass decline. The DMF realizes that the
Albemarle /Roanoke striped bass resource may not be able to recover to historical
levels due to environmental changes and habitat degradation.

Monitoring of the commercial harvest by size, age and sex is an important
component of striped bass management and its continuation meets the requirements
of the ASMFC Striped Bass Plan (1989). Harvest information has allowed resource
managers to evaluate the year class composition, status of the stocks, and the

effects of regulations on the harvestable population. Harvest surveys will
become increasingly important as resource managers attempt to estimate fishing
mortality for the various year classes through population modeling efforts.

Harvest quota management is currently utilized as the principal management
component to control fishing mortality for the Albemarle/Roanoke striped bass
population. As the state management agencies refine data analysis and the
decision making process, quota management will become increasingly important for
managing harvest allocations and maintaining acceptable levels of fishing
mortality. Minimum size limits and effort restrictions, in the absence of quota
management, are not presently sufficient to control harvest.

The ongoing Fishery Independent Gill Net Survey for the Albemarle Sound
Striped Bass (NC Striped Bass Study Management Board, Work order 90-1 and 91-1)
incorporated a random sample design to monitor the stock independent of the
commercial f ishery. This f i shery- independent work has become increasingly
important, as the commercial harvest composition will no longer provide an
overall evaluation of the size, age, and sex composition for the population. The
fishery-independent survey will also allow pre-recruits to be followed from the
time the juvenile survey ends until the fish enter the commercial and
recreational fisheries.

JOB 2: Size, Age, and Sex Composition of Striped Bass from the
Roanoke River Spawning Population

OBJECTIVE: To determine the size, age, and sex composition of the spawning
population of striped bass in the Roanoke River.

APPROACH
Throughout the Roanoke River area, including Batchelor Bay up to the major
spawning grounds at Weldon and Roanoke Rapids, project personnel obtained size,
age, and sex data from commercially and recreationally harvested striped bass.
Local access points, fish camps, and commercial fish houses along the Roanoke
River were visited and sampled. A target figure of up to 150 striped bass was
to be sampled annually. Individual fish were measured (mm, FL) and weighed
(nearest .01 kg). Scales and occasional otoliths were taken for age
determination. Sex was determined for each fish by the Sykes method (1958) or
by visual inspection.

Scales were read and annuli measured as described by Harriss et al. (1985).
Age and year class were assigned as previously described in the Albemarle Sound
commercial harvest approach (Study V, Job 1). otoliths were aged and compared
to the age derived from the corresponding fish scale, utilizing the otolith

ageing process outlined by Humphries and Kornegay (1985). Otoliths were obtained
only through the cooperation of recreational fishermen.

FINDINGS
During April through June 1986-1991, 1,082 striped bass were examined to
determine size, age, and sex composition of the Roanoke River spawning population.
Scales from 1,039 fish were suitable for ageing. The majority of the fish were
obtained from the spawning area by sampling recreational hook-and-line fishermen
between Weldon and Roanoke Rapids (Figure 12). Of these fish, 618 were male and
464 were female, for a sex ratio of 1.3:1. The data gathered during the spr ing
Roanoke River spawning run is summarized by season.

1986 Season
A total of 112 striped bass was examined to determine size, age, and sex
composition of the Roanoke River spawning population, April through May 1986.
One hundred and two fish sampled were suitable for age determination. The 1983
and 1984 year classes (ages III-II) accounted for the majority (84.6%) of the
males sampled. The female sample was dominated (84%) by the 1982 and 1983 year
classes (ages IV and III).

Male striped bass numbers peaked at the 451-500 mm size interval, while
numbers of female fish peaked at the 551-600 mm. The length and weight ranges,
by sex, and sex ratio data for the sampling period are presented in Table 7.

Age composition data was obtained from pound nets (lower river), hook-and-
line (throughout the river), and electroshocking (spawning area) . Data obtained
from hook-and-line and electroshocking are probably the most representative of
the spawning population of mature f ish. These data show that 91.9% of the
pawning male and female fish are age V or younger. However, 82.9% of the
females sampled on the spawning run were age IV or older (Table 8). Data from
s

several maturity studies (Lewis 1962, Harriss et al. 1985) indicate that age IV
is the age of principal female spawning in the Roanoke River population.

1987 Season
During April through June 1987, 247 striped bass were sampled from the
spawning population. Two hundred and forty fish were suitable for age
determination. The 1984-1985 year classes (ages III-II) accounted for the
majority (92.3%) of the male fish sampled. The 1983 year class (age IV)
dominated (40.3%) the female sample.

Numbers of male striped bass peaked at the 401-450 mm size interval and
females at 501-600 mm. Table 7 shows the length and weight ranges, by sex and
the sex ratio for the spawning run.

S 301

Weldon

Sampling area

r)
US 258 M
Scotland Neck 0

Palmyra M

NCI

Hamilton
C
COA.
'Oko/yo
Spawning 4:;t Williamston CO
T
area -@ 4;@
US17 P) uth
y

Jamesville

Figure 12. Principal spawning area and sampling lcoations for striped ba
Roanoke River, NC, 1986-1991.

The majority of the age composition data was obtained from the spawning
grounds through a creel survey of recreational hook-and-line fishermen between
Weldon and Roanoke Rapids. The hook-and-line data, which is most representative
of the population, shows that 93.8% of the fish sampled were age IV or less. Of
the females sampled on the spawning grounds 77.8% equaled or exceeded age IV.

1988 Season
The Roanoke River striped bass spawning population was sampled March
through June 1988. A total of 160 striped bass was sampled and 143 were suitable
for age determination, The 1985-1986 year classes (ages III-II) accounted for
72.4% of the males sampled and the 1984 year class (age IV) dominated the female
sample (28.6%).

The size intervals, for male striped bass peaked at 451-500 mm and females
at 551-700 mm. The length and weight ranges, by sex, and sex ratio for the
period are presented in Table 7.

Hook-and-line and electroshocking data give the least biased representation
of spawning stock composition, with 58.3% of the females being age IV or greater
(Table 8).

1989 Season
A total of 147 fish was sampled during March-June 1989 from the spawning
run and 139 were found suitable for ageing. The 1986-1987 year classes (ages III
and 11) accounted for the majority (90.2%) of the male fish sampled. The female
sample was dominated by the 1985 year class (age IV), contributing 51.5%.

Male striped bass peaked at the 351-400 mm size interval, while female fish
showed a peak in the 501-550 mm size. Table 7 shows the length and weight
ranges, by sex, for the spawning run and the sex ratio.

The electroshocking and hook-and-line data as previously mentioned, are the
most representative of the spawning population of mature fish. The sample data
show that 53.7% of the spawning population, was composed of age II and III fish.
However, 86.4% of the females sampled from these sample gears were age IV or
greater (Table 8).

1990 Season
During May 1990, a total of 247 striped bass was sampled, of which 246 were
suitable for ageing. All samples were obtained by hook-and-line and electro-
shocking. The 1987 and 1988 year classes (ages III and II) accounted for the
majority (95.8%) of the male fish sampled (Table 8). Age IV and older f ish
comprised 71.8% of the female sample.

Table 1. Striped bass size ranges (length and weight) and sex ratios from the
Roanoke River spawning run, by year, 1986-1991.

Male Female Sex ratio
Spawning Fork length Weight Fork length Weight Male to
season ranize (mm) ranp-e _(k,0 range (mm) ranize (kg) female

Apr-May 1986 394-600 0.71-2.67 420-791 1,22-6.08 1.2:1

Apr-Jun 1987 345-630 0.49-3.18 356-800 0.58-8.16 2.3:1

Mar-Jun 1988 345-811 0.65-7.00 342-847 0.57-9.95 1.4:1

Mar-Jun 1989 342-711 0.45-4.05 394-841 0.90-5.60 1.0:1

May 1990 350-616 0.50-3.44 385-832 0.73-7.40 2.1:1

Apr 1991 380-510 0.76-1.72 352-659 0.66-4.11 0.4:1

Table 8. Percent contribution of each year class of female striped bass sampled from the Roanoke River Spring spawning migration, 1981-1990. From Harriss et aL (1985)*,
Winslow and Harriss; (1986)**, and DMF data combined with Nelson and Kornegay (1991).

spring sample season
Year 1981* 1982* 1983* 1984* 1985**1 19862 19873 19882 19892 19902 19912
class % % % % % % % % % %

1971 3 2.0
1972 7 4.8 1 0.7

1973 9 6.1 1 0.9 1 0.7
1974 11 7.5 5 4.3 1 0.7 1 0.7
1975 32 21.8 7 6.0 5 3.2 2 1.4
1976 45 30.6 37 31.6 17 10.9 6 4.0
19T7 37 25.2 33 28.2 29 18.6 9 6.0
1978 0 - 16 13.7 52 33.3 14 9.4 3 4.7 1 2.8
1979 3 2.0 4 3.4 45 28.8 64 43.0 0 - 3 8.6 1 2.8 0 -
1980 15 12.8 4 2.6 45 30.2 12 18.8 3 8.6 2 5.6 1 2.8 2 3.0 4-
1981 1 0.7 2 1.4 4 6.3 1 2.9 0 - 0 - 1 1.5 1 1.3
1982 6 4.0 27 42.2 22 62.8 6 16.6 3 8.3 4 6.1 2 2.6 3 0.7
1983 18 28.1 6 17.1 19 52.8 6 16.7 9 13.6 3 3.8 5 1.1
1984 0 - 8 22.2 10 27.8 6 9.1 7 9.0 9 2.0
1985 0 - 9 25.0 35 53.1 11 14.1 9 2.0
1986 6 16.6 8 12.1 32 41.0 7 1.6
1987 1 1.5 17 21.8 25 5.5
1988 5 6.4 291 64.5
1989 102 22.6

Total 147 (100%) 117 (100%) 156 (100%) 149 (100%) 64 (100%) 35 (100%) 36 (100%) 36 (100%) 66 (100%) 78 (100%) 451 (100%)

> age TV 143 (97.9%) 99 (84.7%) 151 (96.9%) 141 (94.7*A) 19 (29.8%) 29 (82.9%) 28 (77.8%) 21 (58.4%) 57 (86.4%) 56(71.8%) 58 (12.9%)

1. Data from pound net sampling only.
2. Data from hook-and-line and electroshocking sampling only.
3. Data from hook-and-line sampling only.

The male size interval peaked at 351-400 mm, while female fish showed a
peak in the 551-600 mm range. The length and weight ranges by sex for the period
and sex ratio are presented in Table 7.

1991 Season
The Roanoke River spawning population was sampled in April 1991 to
determine size, age, and sex composition. A total of 169 fish was sampled from
the hook-and-line fishery and all were aged. The 1988 year class (age III)
accounted for the majority (87.6%) of the fish sampled, sexes combined. Age IV
and older fish comprised 12,9% of the female sample (Table 8).

Male striped bass peaked at the 401-450 mm size interval, while female fish
showed a peak in the 451-500 MM size interval. Table 7 presents the length and
weight ranges, by sex and the sex ratio for 1991.

The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) , conducted a project
entitled "Roanoke River Striped Bass Spawning Stock Assessment" (Work Order 91-
10, Nelson and Kornegay 1991) during April-June 1991- This project was funded
by the North Carolina Striped Bass Study Management Board to provide information
as mandated in Section 5 of Public Law 100-589. one of the objectives was to
estimate the size, age and sex composition of the Roanoke River spawning
population.

The WRC sampled 2,001 striped bass from the spawning grounds from 15 April
through 10 June 1991, of which 6 fish could not be sexed. Age III and II fish
from the relatively abundant 1988 and 1989 year classes comprised 96.1% of the
total. of the females, 29.3% and 56.6% were age II and III, respectively, and
14.1% were 4 years old or older. The 1989 and 1988 year classes (ages II and
III) accounted for 98.2% of the male sample.

The DMF data showed the 1989 and 1988 year classes, sexes combined,
comprised 93.5% of the total sample. Females at age II contributed 3.4%, age III
87.6%, with 9.4% being age IV or greater. Male fish were from the 1989 year
class (11.5%) or 1988 year class (88.5%).

Each agency sampled at different locations along the river. All
electroshocking by the WRC occurred on the traditional spawning grounds between
Gaston and Weldon, NC. The DMF sampled 58% (N=98) of the 169 striped bass from
recreational fishermen from Hamilton down river to Plymouth, with the remaining
71 fish sampled at Weldon. The WRC sampling was f i shery- independent, which would
have an affect on the differences in age and sex composition.

CONCLUSIONS
The size, age, and sex composition of the Roanoke River spawning population
was determined annually 1986-1991 and is an important component of the fisheries
which must be monitored annually. The pound net fishery in the Roanoke River
delta and Batchelor Bay area has been sampled since 1980. This fishery was
initially sampled to gain unbiased (relative to gear) samples from the spring
spawning run. However, samples from pound nets are affected by the seasonal sex
and age specific migratory habits of striped bass. The relative abundance of
mature male and female fish in this area fluctuates considerably, with male fish
being most abundant in the early spring, followed by an increase of females later
during the spring migration. Immature females also appear to congregate in the
lower river areas during late spring. A long-term and intensive pound net
sampling program (March-June) would be needed to eliminate the bias of the
current sampling program, As a result of the potential gear bias and variable
sample sizes, no reasonable comparisons can be made from the year to year pound
net samples relative to the spawning population age composition.

Hook-and-line harvest and electroshocking data combined provides the most
reliable indicator of the stock composition, particularly for mature females.
The 16 and 18 inch (TL) seasonal minimum size limits for Roanoke River striped
bass may affect efforts to determine the contribution of age II and III fish
relative to the older age groups. Age II fish on the spawning grounds are
principally males; therefore, the minimum size limit should not affect relative
age distribution for mature females. The recreational fishery on Roanoke River
spawning grounds is under the jurisdiction of the WRC. The WRC enacted a slot
limit during the spring 1991 spawning season, which prohibited the harvest of
fish between 22 and 27 inches TL, greatly affecting the age composition
comparisons for female fish in future years.

Electroshocking samples should be relatively unbiased, and thus a good
indicator of the age distribution present on the spawning grounds. The sample
size from electroshocking was very small prior to 1991, and only covered a short
time period, in respect to the overall spawning season.

The relative abundance of age IV and older females sampled during the 1986-
1991 period decreased from the levels observed during the 1981-1984 seasons.
Harriss et al. (1985) reported that females of age IV and older comprised from
84.7% to 97.9% of the females sampled (1981-1984). This study showed females age
IV and older accounted for 12.9% to 86.4% for 1986-1991 (Table 8). The higher
percentage of older females during the 1981-1984 period was attributed to the
gears sampled, principally gill nets and pound nets, and/or the relatively strong
year classes observed during 1975 and 1976.

The percentage of age IV and older females was relatively more abundant
during the 1981-1984 period (Table 8). These females of the 1975-1980 year
classes did not produce historical levels of year class strength, throughout the
early to mid-1980s, except a slight increase during 1982. A combination of
factors, including flow regulation on the Roanoke River (Manooch and Rulifson
1989), deteriorating water quality (Street and Johnson 1982, Manooch and Rulif son
1989), and heavy fishing pressure on immature fish (Crecco et al. 1988 draft,
Richkus et al. 1990, and ASMFC 1990), have had an adverse impact on the
population as evidenced by extremely poor juvenile production. Even though
juvenile production was in decline and the percent of females which equaled or
exceeded age IV decreased slightly during the mid-1980s, two juvenile year
classes near historical levels were produced during 1988 and 1989. The increased
juvenile production, as previously stated in Study I has been attributed to
improved management of Roanoke River water flows (Rulifson and Manooch 1990),
favorable habitat and environmental conditions (Street and Johnson 1982), and
harvest limitations.

The 1986-1991 project data, when comparing age and sex composition from the
various gears sampled relative to sample location, show that mature and immature
female striped bass enter the Roanoke River each spring. However, immature fish
do not frequently ascend the river all the way to the spawning grounds. In
addition,the proportion of males in the spawning population generally decreased
as the age of the fish increased, agreeing with that reported by Harriss et al.
(1985).

JOB 3: Size, Age, and Sex Composition of striped Bass from the
Atlantic Ocean off North Carolina

OBJECTIVE: To determine size, age, and sex composition of the migratory striped
bass overwintering off North Carolina

APPROACH

Striped Bass Bycatch from Various Fisheries
Striped bass were to be obtained from the bycatch of cooperating fishermen
engaged in the winter trawl, haul seine, and gill net fisheries operating along
the Outer Banks of North Carolina during January-March each year. Arrangements
were made to obtain fish taken incidentally which would otherwise have been
discarded. This sampling was to be conducted only if significant catches were
reported.

North Carolina Cooperative Tagging Survey
An offshore North Carol ina-Virginia trawl survey was conducted through the
joint efforts of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), US Fish and

Wildlife Service (USFWS), Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR), and
North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) utilizing National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) vessels. scales for ageing and lengths (mm,
TL) were obtained from a representative portion of the oceanic migratory striped
bass captured during the winter Cooperative Tagging Survey.

Commercial Harvest
Biological samples were taken from approximately 10% of the commercially
harvested striped bass, as required by ASMFC. Striped bass were measured to the
nearest mm (TL), weighed to the nearest .01 kg, and sexed. Scale samples, age
and year class were processed and assigned as previously described in the
Albemarle Sound commercial harvest section (Study V, Job 1).

FINDINGS
North Carolina's Atlant7ic ocean striped bass fisheries were closed on 1
August 1984 in response to coastwide declines in the Atlantic migratory stocks.
The striped bass decline prompted interstate management actions by the ASMFC and
the US Congress. The DMF is currently managing the Atlantic Ocean striped bass
fishery under the guidelines established in the Fisheries Management Report No.
15 (ASMFC 1989).

The DMF reopened and closely monitored a limited Atlantic Ocean striped
bass fishery in 1990 and 1991. These limited seasons were proposed by DMF and
approved by ASMFC based on an increase in the Atlantic migratory population,
principally the Chesapeake Bay stock. Prior to the 1990 season, the
overwintering Atlantic coastal stock was monitored through the North Carolina
Cooperative Tagging Survey.

Striped Bass Bycatch from Various Fisherys 1986-1991
North Carolina striped bass season in the Atlantic Ocean was closed from
1 August 1984 through January 1990. The winter trawl, haul seine, and gill net
fisheries rarely captured striped bass during this period; therefore no samples
were taken from these fisheries. Several unconfirmed incidental trawl catches
were reported, but resulted in no samples.

North Carolina Cooperative Tagging SurveVs 1988-1991
A cooperative effort to tag and assess the age composition of the Atlantic
migratory stock overwintering off North Carolina and Virginia has been conducted
annually since the winter of 1988. The majority of the striped bass captured
were measured and tagged with USFWS internal anchor tags. Scale ageing, data
entry, and analysis of the Cooperative Tagging Surveys 1988-1991 was the
responsibility of MD DNR.

January 1988
A total of 1,377 striped bass was measured during the 1988 cruise, ranging
in size from 423 to 1,335 mm (16.5 to 52.5 in). These fish were tagged and
released from False Cape, VA to Cape Hatteras, NC (Figure 13). Three previously
agged fish, from other tagging programs, were recaptured during the survey.
Scale samples from 1,188 striped bass were suitable for age determination. The
t

1982 and 1983 year classes (73.7% combined) dominated the sample. The year class
composition data are presented in Table 9.

January 1989
During the 1989 tagging cruise, 1,168 striped bass were measured. The fish
ranged in size from 510-1,162 mm (20 to 45.8 in) . The majority of the 1,156
striped bass tagged and released were captured in the area off False Cape, VA
(Figure 13). Six tagged fish were recaptured during the 1989 survey. Four of
the recaptures were f ish tagged by other organizations. Two recaptures were
tagged on the 1988 Cooperative Tagging Survey. The length data from the initial
tagging and subsequent recapture show that these fish grew from 644 to 696 mm
(25 to 27 in) and from 695 to 752 mm (27 to 29 in) in one year. The growth of
these two fish was consistent with expected growth (MD DNR 1989). Two hundred
and one striped bass were aged from the survey. Table 9 shows that the 1982 and
1983 year classes comprised 64.751 of the sample, being consistent with the year
class composition found in 1988.

January 1990
Three thousand and six fish were captured, of which 2,010 were tagged and
released between the North Carol in/Virginia state line and Cape Hatteras, NC
(Figure 13) . These f ish ranged in size f rom 288 mm through 1, 228 mm (11-48 in) .
Fifteen tagged fish were recaptured during the 1990 survey (MD DNR 1990).

Scale samples from 296 fish were successfully aged and the year class
compositions are presented in Table 9. The 1984 year class (28.4%) dominated the
sample(MD DNR 1990).

January 1991
During the 1991 survey, 1,800 striped bass were measured, tagged, and
released from False Cape, VA to Cape Hatteras, NC (Figure 13). Fish ranged in
size from 507 to 1,020 mm (20 to 40 in). Sixteen previously tagged fish were
recaptured during the tagging survey, 9 of which were tagged during this cruise.
Scale samples from 628 striped bass were suitable for age determination and the
year class composition are presented in Table 9. The 1983 and 1984 year classes
dominated the sample, comprising 67.3% of the total (MD DNR 1991).

o Sampling
I area

74-

76*
Figure 13. Locations where striped bass were tagged and released during North
Carolina Cooperative Tagging Surveys off Virginia and North
Carolina, 1988-1991.

Table 9. Percent year class composition of striped bass collected off the
North Carolina coast, during the Cooperative Tagging Surveys January
1988-1991 (MD DNR 1988, 1989, 1990, and 1991).

1988 survey 1989 survey 1990 surv@y 1991 survey
Percent Percent Percent Percent
Year of of of of
class No. total No. total No. total No. total

1987 14 4.7

1986 38 12.8 20 3.2

1985 2 0.2 5 2.5 36 12.2 95 15.1

1984 74 6.2 29 14.4 84 28.4 217 34.5

1983 545 45.9 52 25.9 50 16.9 206 32.8

1982 330 27.8 78 38.8 55 18.6 77 12.3

1981 82 6.0 18 8.9 9 3.0 11 1.8

1980 59 5.0 9 4.5 5 1.7 2 0.3

1979 4 0.3 3 1.5 4 1.4

1978 19 1.6 1 0.5 0 -

1977 0 - 1 0.5 0 -

1976 3 0.3 0 - 0 -

1975 4 0.3 1 0.5 0 -

1974 24 2.0 0 - 1 0.3

1973 7 0.6 4 2.0

1972 1 0.1

1971 27 2A

1970 6 0.4

1969 0 -

1968 1 0.1

Total 1,188 201 296 628

Commercial Harvest-Winter 1990 50
Amendment No. 4 of the ASMFC Striped Bass Plan established guidelines to
achieve an 80% reduction in the historical coastwide commercial harvest. North
Carolina's proposed Atlantic Ocean commercial season under these guidelines was
for 20 days or a harvest cap of 96,000 pounds, whichever occurred first.
Amendment No. 4 (1989), also established a 28 in (711 mm) minimum size limit for
the Atlantic Ocean and MFC adopted the minimum size limit (NC DEHNR, DMF 1991).

During the six day Atlantic Ocean striped bass season (February 12 and 19-
23, 1990), approximately 106 fish weighing 1,198 lb were landed. Most of the
fish were landed by haul seines on the first day of the season. only one fish
was taken by trawl. one haul seine crew, fishing just north of Corolla, NC on
12 February, landed over 400 fish, 75 of which were harvested. All the
undersized fish were released without any observed mortality.

One hundred and four fish were sampled to determine size, sex, and age
composition of the harvest. Scales from four of these fish were unsuitable for
ageing. The year class contributions to the harvest are shown in Table 10 * The
1983 year class (age VII) dominated the sample comprising 20% of the male and 18%
of the females. A sex ratio of 0.89:1, male to female, was determined from the
Atlantic Ocean sample.

Fish in the 701-800 mm size interval were most abundant. Male striped bass
ranged in length from 712 to 912 mm (28 to 35.9 in) and weighed 3.9 to 8.2 kg
(8.5 to 18 lb). Females ranged in length and weight from 711 to 968 mm (28 to
38 in) and 3.5 to 10.4 kg (7.7 to 22.9 lb). As a result of the 28 inch (711 mm)
minimum size limit, the various size classes present in the population are not
adequately represented by the harvest.

Prior to opening the commercial season, 18 fish were confiscated by the DMF
from a gill net fisherman. Two fish were greater than the 28 in (711 nun) minimum
size limit. The 1984 and 1986 year classes (ages VI and IV) dominated this
sample, accounting for 35.3% and 29.3%, respectively.

Fall 1990/Winter 1991
Since the 1990 winter commercial season harvest was so small, an
experimental fall ocean season was proposed to the ASMFC and accepted for 26
November-December 1990. The landings for this season totaled 9,797 lb.

An Atlantic Ocean commercial season was proposed for winter 1991 and
approved for 4-25 February. The DMF personnel sampled 11 striped bass caught in
haul seines on 4 February 1991, near Corolla, NC. The majority of the striped
bass landed during this season were from ocean trawlers. A total of 2,586 lb was

taken during the February season. The total landings of striped bass for these
two seasons, November-December and February, combined was 11,185 lb. This was
far short of the 96,000 lb quota.

A total of 151 striped bass was sampled from these two seasons. Eighty-
seven fish were sampled to determine size, sex, and age composition of the
harvest. A sex ratio of 0.78:1, male to female was determined. The 1983 (age
VIII) and 1984 (age VII) year classes dominated the sample comprising 32.2% and
31% of the total, sexes combined (Table 10).

The lengths reflect the harvested fish in excess of the size limit, with
one exception. One male was measured at 683 mm (26.9 in). Striped bass in the
701-800 mm size interval were the most abundant. Males ranged in length from
683-953 mm (26.9 to 37.5 in,) and weighed 3.5-8.9 kg (7.7 to 19.6 lb). Female
fish ranged in length and weight from 711 to 984 mm (28 to 38.7 in) and 3.9 to
9.7 kg (8.6 to 21.4 lb).

The sixty-four striped bass sampled from trawlers during the November-
December 1990 season, were not included in the age/sex specific data, because sex
was not recorded. These fish ranged in length from 730 to 957 mm (28 to 37.7 in)
and weighed from 3.6 to 9.5 kg (7.9 to 20.9 lb).

Recreational Season
The winter recreational season, was open 12 February-18 March 1990, 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 Amendment No. 4
(ASMFC 1990). No striped bass samples were obtained from the recreational
fishery.

An Atlantic Ocean recreational season was opened 19 November through 31
December 1990, with very few fish caught. The season reopened in January 1991
and continued through 31 March 1991. The size limit and creel remained as in
1990. In February 1991, three fish were caught by hook-and-line near Oregon
Inlet and sampled. Length ranged from 720 to 895 mm (28 to 35 in) and weight
ranged from 4.5 to 8.4 kg (9.9 to 18.5 lb). The ages of these fish ranged from
7-9 years old.

CONCLUSIONS
obtaining striped bass samples from the bycatch of existing North Carolina
ocean fisheries is not a feasible method for assessing the size and age
composition of the stocks. Striped bass are not frequently encountered in
directed fisheries for other species such as flounders and weakfish. These

Table 10. Number and percent at age class composition, by sex, for striped
bass sampled from the Atlantic Ocean commercial fishery, 1990 and
1991.

Winter 1990 Fall 1990/Winter 1991
Percent of Percent of
Year Number. total Number total
class M F M F M F M F

1986 0 1 - 1.2

1915 0 1 - 1*0 1 6 1*2 6,9

1984 8 14 8.0 14.0 16 11 18.4 12.6

1983 20 18 20.0 18.0 16 12 18.4 13.8

1982 8 17 '8.0 17.0 4 15 4.6 17.2

1981 5 3 5.0 3.0 0 5 - 5.8

1980 3 2 3,0 2,0

1979 1 0 1.0 -

Total 55 T7 5-0
100 87

species rarely inhabit the same areas at the same time as striped bass during the
winter in North Carolina.

The North Carolina Cooperative Tagging Survey provides a unique fishery
independent opportunity to assess the composition of the Atlantic migratory
population which winters off Virginia and North Carolina. Information on stock
composition, migration, and growth rates gained from this survey is utilized in
the coastwide striped bass management and restoration efforts directed by the
ASMFC. However, it should be noted that all age groups may not be available in
the Atlantic Ocean fishery and/or equally recruited to the trawls employed during
these surveys.

In addition, the 1990 Cooperative Tagging Survey represented the best
opportunity to assess t'he,migratory striped bass stocks prior to the limited
commercial and recreational fishery openings allowed by ASMFC. The survey proved
invaluable to fisheries managers who were in the process of planning for an open
season in North Carolina's coastal waters. It was largely responsible for North
Carolina's decision to try an experimental and limited season in order to assess
the impact of commercial gear on the large numbers of small fish present along
the coast.

When combining the DMF data from the 1990 commercial harvest and the
confiscated fish, it is evident that this information is similar to the 1990
Cooperative Tagging Survey. The 1991 sample data compared to the 1991 tagging
survey supports the similarity as well. These data reflect the broad range of
available year classes and confirms the abundance of the 1982-1986 year classes.
This abundance is the result of recently implemented coastwide striped bass
conservation efforts.

Concerns have been raised relative to North Carolina conducting a
commercial fishery during the Cooperative Tagging Survey, potentially allowing
the tagged fish to be harvested a short time after tagging. These concerns are
not justified by the tag returns from the 1990 or 1991 commercial season as no
recently tagged fish were captured. Seven tag returns from other tagging
programs were reported during the February 1990 season; however no returns were
recorded from fish released during the 1990 Cooperative Tagging Survey. Closing
the striped bass season, during the Cooperative Tagging Survey period (January),
would place an additional burden on the commercial fishery and the DMF's
management of the fishery. During recent years the availability of harvestable
numbers of striped bass off the North Carolina coast has been sporadic dependent
on weather conditions and migration.

RECOMMMMATIONS

The authors recommend:

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

Validation of the juvenile abundance indices be conducted to meet the
ASMFC Striped Bass Study Management Board requirements.

That the effects of river flow and water quality on year class formation
be addressed through other projects.

Combining adult striped bass utilization and migration (Study II) with
spawning stock utilization and migration study (Study III), to form one
study of migration and utilization for the Albemarle/Roanoke stock.

That to satisfy the various informational needs relative to resource
management, the striped bass management agencies must incorporate the
appropriate methods to achieve utilization and migration information in
conjunction with,,an annual stock assessment of the Albemarle /Roanoke
spawning populat ion.I -

The North Carolina Cooperative for Anadromous Species Restoration, which
includes the USFWS, WRC and DMF should continue to pool available
resources.

Specific projects need to be developed on hook-and-line release mortality
and seasonal gear-related mortality.

Sex determination and scales for ageing should not be taken from tagged
fish in the Albemarle Sound area due to the probability of increased
stress, infection and mortality. Age/length information can be used to
estimate ages of tagged fish.

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

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.

Monitoring of the commercial harvest for size, age, and sex should be
continued annually.

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

Develop a recruitment based harvest control model (HCM), similar to
Maryland Department of Natural Resources, for the Albemarle /Roanoke
striped bass population.

The Fishery Independent Gill Net Survey for the Albemarle Sound Striped
Bass (NC Striped Bass Study Management Board, Work Order 90-1 and 91-1 and
F-48) should continue to monitor the stock, since the fishery dependent
data is not sufficient to adequately assess all segments of the
population.

A cooperative project should be developed between DMF and WRC to monitor
the striped bass population on the spawning grounds. Intensive fishery-
independent sampling, preferably electroshocking, should occur throughout
the spawning season to establish a longer term data base to effectively
describe the spawning population annually.

Closing the spawning grounds to all harvest during the spawning season, as
recommended in Amendment No. 4 to the ASMFC Striped Bass Fisheries
Management Plan (ASMFC 1989). A spawning season closure would protect
both mature and immature fish at a time when they are concentrated and
vulnerable to harvest. This would have to be accomplished by actions of
the WRC. Neither DMF nor MFC has jurisdiction on the spawning grounds.

In the absence of a harvest closure in the Roanoke River spawning grounds,
an annual harvest quota allocation must be continued for the entire river.
The harvest quota management will aid in reducing effort and fishing
mortality on adult striped bass.

Continuation of the Cooperative Tagging Survey.

An Atlantic ocean Striped Bass season should include the months of
December, January, and February.

That the harvest season not be closed during the Cooperative Tagging
Survey.

Assessing and evaluating the undersized striped bass bycatch in the
directed ocean fisheries.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This report would not have been possible without the field and technical
assistance of Robert C. Harriss, Kathy Rawls, Craig Hardy, Manteo biological
staff and previous Division employees. Paul Phalen, Nancy Hirsch, and others in
the data management and commercial statistics section provided useful and timely
products for our many data requests. We extend our special thanks to Harrel
Johnson, Maury Wolff, and William T. Hogarth for their constructive review and
comments on the manuscript. We are extremely appreciative of the skills and
understanding of Dee Willis, Diane Copeland, and Kim Winslow who typed,
organized, and offered suggestions on the many rough drafts of this report.
Finally, we are especially grateful to the many commercial fish dealers and
commercial and recreational fishermen who allowed us to sample their catches.

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