The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) met last week to review the most recent assessment of regional striped bass populations. The assessment found that striper mortality was slightly higher than the target for recovery, while spawning stock was well below the recovery goal. The commission believes that the probability of rebuilding the striped bass stock by their 2029 target is less than 50 percent.

Striped bass are an iconic migratory species in the Hudson River Estuary — a vital piece of the river’s food web as well as one of the most sought after fishes for anglers on the Atlantic Coast.

ASMFC will be holding a meeting in December to consider future management efforts to increase the chances of recovery, including potential recreational size limits and seasonal closures.