Stock Status-Viable - Albemarle Sound, Atlantic Ocean due to expanding age structure of stock, moderate juvenile indices, and increased abundance.
Overfished - Central/Southern region of North Carolina.

Average Commercial Landings and Value 1995-2004 -544,027 lbs./$676,315

2004 Commercial Landings and Value - 911,473 lbs./ $1,160,631

Average Recreational Landings 1995-2004

• Atlantic Ocean – 981,179 lbs.
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• Internal Waters (excluding Albemarle Sound and Inland Waters) – 175,015 lbs.*
• Albemarle Sound Management Area – 62,457 lbs.*

*Overlap in survey coverage occurs in some areas.

2004 Recreational Landings

• Atlantic Ocean – 5,645,553 lbs.
• Internal Waters (excluding Albemarle Sound and Inland Waters) – 341,596 lbs.*
• Albemarle Sound Management Area –.122,991 lbs. *

*Overlap in survey coverage occurs in some areas.

Average RCGL Landings – 2002-2004 – 9,016 lbs., 2004 – 7,770 lbs.

Average Number of Citations 1995- 2004 – 248, 178 releases 2004 - 694 entries, 414 releases

Status of Fisheries Management Plan - An amended N.C. Estuarine Striped Bass Management Plan was adopted in May 2004 by the N. C. Marine Fisheries Commission to address the striped bass fisheries in all internal coastal waters of the state. Atlantic striped bass is currently included in the state’s Interjurisdictional Fisheries Management Plan, which defers to ASMFC FMP compliance requirements. Amendment 6 of the Interstate Fisheries Management Plan for Atlantic Striped Bass by the ASMFC has been completed. Addendum I to Amendment 6 is in the public comment stage of implementation, and addresses the issue of striped bass discards in all sectors of the striped bass fishery.

Research and Data Needs -Expand commercial and recreational sampling in areas other than the northern coastal counties. Fisheries dependent and independent sampling in central/southern areas.

Current Minimum Size Limit (2005) —
18 inches TL Coastal, Joint and Inland waters
18 inches TL and no striped bass between 22 inches and 27 inches in Roanoke River
28 inches TL Atlantic Ocean

Recreational Harvest Season (2005) —
Albemarle Sound Management Area:
Spring (January – April)
Fall (mid October/November – December)
Roanoke River Management Area: Spring (March-April)
Atlantic Ocean: year-round
Central/Southern Management Area: year-round

Size and Age at Maturity – 11 inches-22 inches/ Males: 2 years - 3 years, Females: 3 years-6 years

Historical and Current Maximum Age –29 years/ 18 years

Juvenile Abundance Indices Average - 1955-2004- 8.2; 2004 (Albemarle Sound only) - 1.7 (validated)

Habits/Habitats -Striped bass are anadromous spending the majority of their life in high salinity waters, migrating to fresh water to spawn in the spring. Striped bass require flowing, fresh water habitats in order to spawn successfully allowing the eggs to remain suspended until they hatch, and to transport larvae to the nursery areas. Spawning takes place during late April until early June. North Carolina is host to several different stocks of striped bass. One is the Atlantic migratory stock that over winters off the Outer Banks each year. These striped bass originate principally from the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware and Hudson River systems. They remain in their natal systems from two to three years, then begin migrating along the Atlantic Coast, northward in the summer and southward during the winter. The Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River area supports the largest spawning population in North Carolina. Other populations are found in the Neuse, Tar/Pamlico, and Cape Fear rivers.