Estuarine Striped Bass Management Information
Albemarle Sound/Roanoke River Management Area
Results from the 2022 stock assessment update indicate the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River Striped Bass stock is overfished and overfishing is still occurring. Albemarle Sound and Roanoke River Management Area Striped Bass are managed under the 2024 Revision to Amendment 2. The 2024 Revision implemented a harvest closure in the Albemarle Sound and Roanoke River Management Areas. Stocking occurred from 2023–2025 to supplement multiple consecutive years (2017–2023) of very low recruitment. Because supplemental stocking began in 2023, Parentage Based Tagging (PBT) analysis through 2030 will be vital in discerning whether these stocked juveniles successfully contribute to the spawning stock, ultimately providing a clearer picture of management success and stock recovery timelines. The next comprehensive FMP review is scheduled to begin in 2027.
Central/Southern Management Area
CSMA includes the Striped Bass stocks in the Tar-Pamlico, Neuse, and Cape Fear rivers. A stock assessment cannot be conducted due to limited data; therefore, stock status is unknown. Matrix model results indicate CSMA populations are depressed to an extent that sustainability is unlikely at any level of fishing mortality and a tagging model showed consistent decline in Striped Bass abundance in the Cape Fear River from 2012–2018. Based on genetic analysis, a high percentage of Striped Bass in these systems are hatchery reared (stocked) with limited natural recruitment occurring. CSMA Striped Bass are managed under the 2026 Revision to Amendment 2. This revision opened limited recreational and commercial Striped Bass harvest in portions of the Tar-Pamlico and Neuse rivers. Striped Bass harvest in the Cape Fear River remains closed. The next comprehensive FMP review is scheduled to begin in 2027.
Striped Bass Tagging at the Edenton National Fish Hatchery
Sriped Bass Tagging on the Roanoke River
| Species Leads |
|---|
| Robert Corbett (Albemarle/Roanoke) Email: Robert.Corbett@deq.nc.gov Phone: 252-381-6010 |
| Todd Mathes (Central/Southern) Email: Todd.Mathes@deq.nc.gov Phone: 252-948-3872 |