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








                             NORTH CAROLINA STRIPED BASS








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                                     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




                                                By

                                           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

                                                          ii














                                               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









                                                  2


           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.









                                                   5


           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.








                                                   7



            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.








                                                      9



                  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.









                                                   10


                 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



                                    A


                                       0




                       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.









                                                   13


                 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









                                                  14


           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.









                                                      15


             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.









                                                  16



                 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










                                                  17



                                               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.










                                                   21


           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)








                                                    22










                     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




                                                                                                                                P






                                                        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.








                                                   25


            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







                                                26






                               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.














 Ad









                                                   27



           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.








                                                   29



           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









                                                    30











             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.








                                                  32



           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









                                                     34






             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








                                                   35



           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









                                                  36



          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








                                                     37


            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








                                                    38



            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




                                0

                                  0


                                                                   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.









                                                  40


                 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.








                                                       41









             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.








                                                    43



                 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.









                                                  44




                                             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.









                                                    45



                 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








                                                 46



           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.








                                                    47



            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).








                                             48






                                                            at






















       3V





                                         o                           Sampling
                                                              I       area























                                              jf




                                                                                      74-















                                            ca








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








                                                    49



             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








                                                      51



           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









                                                     52


             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









                                                   53


           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.









                                                   54




                                           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.









                                                  55


                 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.








                                                      56




                                              LITERATURE CITED



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                                                       57



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                                                     58



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                                                     59



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                                                     60


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