MATOS - Mid-Atlantic Acoustic Telemetry Observation System

Project Title: Estimating recreational catch and release mortality of Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass

MATOS Project Code: PAXSTB

Data Type: Data

Project Duration: March 2024 - on-going

Project Description: Striped bass are one of the most popular Atlantic Coast recreational fisheries that bring significant economic and cultural prosperity from Maine to North Carolina, with the Chesapeake Bay (CB) being the primary source of recruits for the Atlantic stock. The most recent stock assessment identified Striped Bass as overfished with recreational catch and release mortality (CRM) contributing an estimated 50% of total take. This estimate is based on a 9% CRM assumption that is stagnant and fails to take fluid environmental factors like temperature into consideration. Given that temperatures experienced by CB Striped Bass are predicted to increase, likely increasing Striped Bass disease and CRM mortality, it is pertinent that a fluid CRM model is established to avoid under or overestimation. To provide needed robust estimates of Striped Bass CRM, we developed a quick attachment, delayed release external acoustic tag and are using this method to estimate CB Striped Bass CRM during spring and

Principal Investigator:	T. Reid Nelson (George Mason University)
Email:	tnelso3@gmu.edu

Point of Contact:	T. Reid Nelson
Email:	tnelso3@gmu.edu

GMU PAX Striped Bass CRM