December 17, 2024 — The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) met Monday to discuss the status of striped bass populations and consider changes to 2025 management measures. Despite concerns over below-average striped bass numbers in the Chesapeake Bay, the commission voted to keep current recreational fishing regulations in place for another year, wait for more population data to be released from the 2024 Stock Assessment, and decide on regulations for the 2026 season.
The decision follows the results of the 2024 Stock Assessment Update, which indicated that while the resource remains overfished, it is not currently experiencing overfishing. The ASMFC’s goal is to rebuild the striped bass stock by 2029.
n January, the ASMFC approved new rules limiting recreational anglers to keeping only one fish within the 19- to 24-inch slot size, with larger fish over 25 inches designated as breeders. Charter boat captains, who are grouped with recreational anglers, reported significant financial impacts this past season due to the restrictions.