The striped bass population is a major component of the 
San Francisco Bay-Delta estuary, particularly in past years 
prior to its decline. It would be of interest to do more re¬ 
search on the relationship of the population dynamics of this 
species to the flow dynamics of the estuary, and to examine 
the striped bass in an ecosystem context. This would be of 
critical importance in making future decisions on water 
quality and the management of fisheries in the San Francisco 
Bay-Delta system. 
In conclusion, we believe that further investigation of 
sources and effects of pollutants on striped bass and other 
biota in the San Francisco Bay-Delta is warranted. We believe 
also that enough is known for managers and regulators to act 
now and that any activity reducing the input of these toxic 
pollutants into the estuary will be beneficial to the health 
and abundance of the striped bass population. 
Acknowledgements 
This research was supported by the National Marine 
Fisheries Service and by a contract from the former Office of 
Marine Pollution Assessment under the Marine Protection, 
Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 (P.L. 92-532; Title II, 
Section 202). Further cooperation and support was from the 
State of California Water Resources Control Board within the 
Cooperative Striped Bass Study, codirected by Marvin Jung, 
Consultant. We appreciate the advice, assistance, and 
cooperation of staff from the CDFG in Stockon, California, 
particularly Donald Stevens and David Kohlhorst. 
References 
Benville, Pete E., Jr. and Korn, Sid, 1977: The acute 
toxicity of six monocyclic aromatic crude oil components 
to striped bass ( Morone saxatilis) and bay shrimp 
( Crangon francoscorum ). Calif. Fish and Game 
63(4) :204-209. 
Benville, Pete E. Jr.; Whipple, Jeannette A.; and Eldridge, 
Maxwell B., 1985: Acute toxicity of seven alicyclic 
hexanes to striped bass Morone saxatilis and bay shrimp 
Crangon francoscorum . in seawater. Calif. Fish and Game 
71(3): 132-140. 
Eaton, Andrew, 1979: Observations on the geochemistry of 
soluble copper, iron, nickel, and zinc in the San Fran¬ 
cisco Bay estuary. Environ. Sci. and Tech. Res . 
13(4):425-431. 
Eldridge, Maxwell B.; Benville, Pete; and Whipple, Jeannette 
A., 1981: Physiologic responses of striped bass ( Morone 
saxatilis ) embryos and larvae to low sublethal concentra¬ 
tions of the aromatic hydrocarbons benzene. Proc. Gulf 
Caribb. Fish Inst . 33:52-68. 
104 
