IV-E-31 



Talbot, G.B. 1966. Estuarine environmental requirements and limiting 



factors for striped bass. Pages 37-49 i_n American Fisheries Society, 



a symposium on estuarine fisheries. Washington, D.C. 



Although striped bass can thrive in certain river systems that are 

 not estuarine in character, their requirements are such that they 

 are usually found in estuarine areas during part or all of their life 

 cycle. As with other anadromous fishes, adequate spawning areas 

 appear to be the most critical necessity for survival of striped bass. 

 The requirements for spawning are discussed, including such factors 

 as stream length, fishways, water velocity, water quality, turbidity, 

 and water temperature. Degradation of estuaries by dredging, filling, 

 dam building, poor agricultural practices, and pollution are a continuing 

 menace to striped bass populations. The following recommendations for 

 research are presented: (1) studies to determine the origin of the 

 small striped bass, (2) toxicity of various pollutants, (3) cooperative 

 research by biologists and engineers on water supply projects, (4) improved 

 methods of artificial propagation, and (5) detailed studies of estuaries 

 to determine their contribution to productivity. (A. A. and B.W.) 



Keywords: estuaries, fishes, environmental changes, productivity, 

 U.S. general 



IV-E-32 



Turner, J.L. 1972. Striped bass. Pages 36-43 jj^ J. E. Skinner (compiler). 

 Ecological studies of the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary. California 

 Department of Fish and Game, Delta Fish and Wildlife Protection 

 Study Report No. 8. 



Striped bass are one of California's top-ranking sport fish. Studies 

 show that the fish are dependent on the estuary for spawning and 

 development of larvae and young. 



Their energy for the first few days is derived from the larval yolk 

 sacs. By the seventh or eighth day the larvae begin to feed actively 

 on small zooplankton. The copepod, Eurytemora affinis , is the major 

 food item in the western Delta until the larvae reach 0.6 inch in 

 length, at which time the mysid shrimp, Neomysis awatchensi , become 

 the major food. After their first year, juvenile striped bass progres- 

 sively increase the amount of fish in their diet, although Neomysis 



remains important. (B.W.) 



Keywords: sport fisheries, estuaries, food habits, California 



195 



