Research Document - 2011/097

Assessment and status of Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) in the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence, 2006 to 2010

By S.G. Douglas and G. Chaput

Abstract

The status of the Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis) stock in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence is updated with new information collected annually between 2006 and 2010. Estimates of spawner abundance have averaged 50,000 (16,200 to 92,160 annual range) over the last 5 years (2006 to 2010) and 35,000 (12,550 to 92,160) over the last decade (2001 to 2010). Male Striped Bass continue to dominate the spawning run in most years. Striped Bass with fork lengths between 40 and 50 cm and ages between 3 and 5 years were the largest component of the spawners in all assessed years. Striped Bass over age 6 years and longer than 60 cm are present but not abundant. The estimate of total mortality for adult Striped Bass continues to be high (0.47) for this population and natural mortality is believed to be low. The proposed recovery limit (21,600 spawners in 5 of the last 6 years) and target (31,200 spawners in 3 of 6 years) for southern Gulf Striped Bass could be met for the first time in 2011.

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