STUDIES ON THE STRIPED BASS OF THE ATLANTIC COAST 63 



more profit when the fishery first starts to take the bass as 3-year-olds than there is 

 when the fishery starts to take the bass as 2-year-olds, because the greatest increment 

 in growth in the entire life of the striped bass takes place during the third year of 

 life — when the fish are 2 years old. This growth in the third year is sufficient to more 

 than compensate for the losses due to natural mortality, and its advantages are missed 

 when the fish are caught for the first time as 2-year-olds. 



It is therefore recommended, on the basis of existing knowledge and as a practical 

 experiment in conservation, that striped bass on the Atlantic coast less than 16 inches 

 in length be protected. 



The problem is, then, how striped bass should be protected up to the time they 

 become 3 years old. Unfortunately the commercial fishery is not one which exists 

 for the purpose of catching this species alone; rather, striped bass are taken in associa- 

 tion with many other forms by different types of gear along the whole coast. It is 

 impossible to make any limitation on the size of mesh to be used, since this would affect 

 the capture of other species that do not need to be protected up to as large a size as 

 do striped bass. Further than this, the striped bass is highly migratory and should be 

 protected along the entire length of its range. It is only feasible, on this account, 

 to suggest a universal length limit (or at least a commercial sale limit) for the entire 

 Atlantic coast, and let the individual States determine by appropriate investigation 

 whether additional restrictions on the gear employed in the striped bass fishery, and 

 on the seasons when the fishery shall operate, would be profitable. It is no great hard- 

 ship for commercial fisheries to return undersized bass to the water, and it is to their 

 ultimate advantage to do so — not only from the point of view of the increased return 

 it should bring them, but also in order to eliminate any legitimate objection by anglers 

 to their fishing methods. That the mortality of these undersized bass from being 

 caught in a net and handled before being released would be small under normal condi- 

 tions is abundantly illustrated by the fact that some of the most successful tagging 

 experiments that have been carried on during this investigation have been made on 

 fish that were caught in seines and pound-nets. 



It is apparent that there is nothing to be lost and much to be gamed by allowing 

 the striped bass of the Atlantic coast one more growing season than they have under 

 existing conditions in the fishery — that is, by allowing them to become 3-year-olds 

 before they are taken in large quantities. However, the gains from such an experi- 

 mental measure will depend directly upon its universal acceptance along the entire 

 Atlantic coast, and on the complete cooperation of those engaged in the fishery. The 

 adoption of measures designed to protect striped bass of less than 16 inches in length 

 should result in greater profit to the commercial fishermen, an increased supply of 

 larger fish for the sportsmen, and a larger number that reach maturity — of which a 

 certain number should spawn in northern waters and possibly replenish stocks which 

 have been badly depleted. 



It is also apparent that there is need for much more study on the striped bass of 

 the Atlantic coast. This is especially true since the specific recommendations as to 

 the size limit of the striped bass made in this paper are suggested on an experimental 

 basis. It is therefore essential that more detailed and more accurate catch records be 

 made available, and further biological studies be undertaken in order to trace the 

 results of the recommendation if adopted, to make possible a suitable revision of 

 the size limit if the results indicate that modification would be desirable, and to amplify 

 the results of the present investigation. 



SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS 



(1) The foregoing report is concerned with the results of an investigation of the 

 striped bass (Roccus samtilis) of the Atlantic coast, from April 1, 1936, to Juno 30, 

 1938. 



(2) The general morphology and systematic characters of the species are described 

 in detail on the basis of the literature and material afforded by fin-ray, scale, and 

 vertebral counts, and measurements on more than 350 individuals. 



(3) The striped bass is strictly coastal in its distribution from the Gulf of St. 

 Lawrence to the Gulf of Mexico. Those most commonly taken at present range from 

 less than 1 pound to 10 pounds in weight; but larger individuals are by no means rare. 

 The largest striped bass of which there is authentic record weighed 125 pounds. 



277689—41 5 



