Anadromous Fish Restoration Activities
Striped Bass
Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) were once common in
rivers and estuarine environments in the northern Gulf of Mexico. Historical records
indicate striped bass occurrences ranging from Texas to the Suwannee River, Florida.
Though once common, currently a small population in the Apalachicola River System in
Florida represents all that remains of the original Gulf striped bass. Striped bass in
other Gulf river systems exist because of stocking efforts and are primarily of Atlantic
origin.
The decline of striped bass in the Gulf of Mexico is thought to
have occurred before or during the 1960s, and is thought to have been due to a variety of
factors, including pesticides and other contaminants, water control structures, and
channelization of rivers. In response to this decline, the Gulf States began an extensive
effort in the late 1960s to re-establish striped bass through a region-wide stocking
program. Since that time, a number of other accomplishments, including habitat and water
quality enhancements, have made environmental conditions more suitable to striped bass;
however, channelization and dams continue to plague restoration efforts.
Striped bass restoration activities conducted through the GSMFC
have been primarily related to planning for research, data, and management needs striped
bass. The ultimate goal of the striped bass work is to establish naturally reproducing
populations of striped bass in coastal drainages in which such populations historically
occurred. River systems of significance include, but are not limited to, the Sabine River
in Texas and Louisiana, the Mississippi and Pearl Rivers in Louisiana and Mississippi, the
Pascagoula River in Mississippi, and several river systems in northern Florida, including
the Apalachicola and Blackwater Rivers, among others.
In 1986, prior to the implementation of the GSMFC Sport Fish
Restoration Administrative Program, the GSMFC developed and adopted an interstate fishery
management plan for striped bass. In the years since the implementation of the program,
the Anadromous Fish Subcommittee
has completed a number of activities to provide guidelines and coordination for the
restoration of striped bass in the Gulf of Mexico region. All publications related to this subject area are available from the GSMFC office.
Several of the most significant achievements include a 1991 document entitled " A
Strategic Plan for Restoration and Management of Gulf of Mexico Anadromous
Fisheries," a 1992 regulatory amendment to the interstate fishery management plan for
striped bass, and a series of projects to identify the genotypes of striped bass collected
from Gulf of Mexico coastal waters. The GSMFC has established a data base for striped bass
in the Gulf of Mexico, which includes the distribution of genotypes. This is particularly
important regarding the current use of Gulf genotypes for the production of fry and
fingerling used for stock enhancement in the Gulf region.
In 1997, the Gulf States received federal funding from the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service’s Recreational Fisheries Stewardship Program to conduct
field investigations to learn more about the current state of striped bass populations in
several rivers in the Gulf region. While incomplete at this writing, data and information
resulting from these studies will be vital in terms of guiding future restoration efforts.
In addition, the Stewardship projects will contribute to an upcoming revision of the 1986
interstate Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan, scheduled to begin in 2001.
Gulf Sturgeon
The Gulf sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi), a
subspecies of the Atlantic sturgeon, was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species
Act on September 30, 1991. Just prior to that listing, the GSMFC began an effort to
develop an interstate fishery management plan for the subspecies. As a result of the
listing, the GSMFC began working cooperatively with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and
the National Marine Fisheries Service to develop a recovery/management plan, designed to
satisfy the requirements of the Endangered Species Act and to provide a framework for
management in the event of recovery and delisting of Gulf sturgeon populations. That plan
was completed in 1995, and efforts are underway by state and federal agencies to address
research and data collection identified in the Recovery/Management Plan. Copies of the
Recovery/Management Plan are available from the GSMFC office.
Alabama Shad
While no formal action has been taken by the GSMFC to address
the Alabama shad (Alosa alabamae), the species is known to have declined
significantly from its former abundance and range. The GSMFC has discussed related issues
and maintains an interest in determining the status of the species in Gulf river systems.
Currently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is in the process of completing a draft of
an Alabama shad status report. Upon completion of that report, it is likely that the GSMFC
will again address Alabama shad populations and determine if there is an appropriate
course of action.
If you need additional information concerning this program, please contact
the James Ballard at the GSMFC office at (228) 875-5912 or via e-mail. |
