Feature Photo Credit: Robbie Tartaglia What’s going on? For decades, striped bass management relied on a 9% release-mortality estimate from a 1990s study that even its author warned wasn’t suitable for management. New research from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries has finally set the record straight—release mortality is roughly half
Recent developments in the 2025 Atlantic Menhaden Stock Assessment Update, released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), have exposed a critical issue that demands our attention. A dramatic error in natural mortality (M) estimates has massive implications for reassessing recent quotas and setting new ones going forward. You
What’s going on? The “most important fish in the sea” just exposed one of the biggest management failures in decades. A new assessment shows Atlantic menhaden natural mortality was inaccurately estimated for years, causing quotas set 300 million pounds too high. A significant, immediate reduction is necessary to align with
Mario CampoFisheries Ecologist, Southeastern Louisiana UniversityScience and Policy Associate, American Saltwater Guides Association This discussion explores the status of Gulf Menhaden stocks, their ecological and economic role in the northern Gulf of Mexico, and potential strategies for sustainable fishery management. Forage Fish Overview The term “forage fish” addresses any fish
The Jack Project continues to gather momentum as tagging teams across the Gulf and South Atlantic deploy more acoustic tags. While the project faces challenges—everything from weather to shifting fish aggregations—progress has been made to gather critical data on the understudied species. Over 50 acoustic tags have been deployed in
Imagery Courtesy of Sean Cobelli Media We encourage anglers, guides and conservationists to use this public comment as a resource when participating in the upcoming public comment period for striped bass management. The Draft Addendum III to Amendment 7 of the Atlantic Striped Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) is now
Buried in the 2023 Striped Bass FMP Review are numbers that don’t add up—and it should infuriate recreational and commercial anglers from Virginia to Maine. While everyone else sacrifices to rebuild this fishery, Maryland’s commercial sector plays by its own rules, reporting data that defies logic and drags the entire
Do you remember your driver’s test? How nervous were you when the instructor pulled out the clipboard and you checked your mirrors five times? There is a very similar dynamic when commercial boats have observers on board. As an aspiring driver, you will put that blinker on ahead of time,
If you’ve spent any time on the water in South Florida, chances are you’ve heard the name Captain Mike Holliday. Based out of Stuart, Florida, Holliday is a veteran guide, outdoor writer, and longtime voice in the angling community. With decades of experience, Mike has watched fisheries rise, fall, and
Feature Photo Credit: Scientific Anglers Team At the heart of the Jack Project is a simple but powerful goal:Shine a light on the jack species that anglers know well, but science and management often overlook. To better understand their movement, behavior and connectivity of this species, we’re putting boots on
GIVE THE GIFT OF FISHERIES CONSERVATION THIS HOLIDAY SEASON. SHOP ASGA GOODS THAT FUND FISHERIES RESEARCH & ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS
JOIN ASGA IN CALLING FOR CRITICAL MANAGEMENT ACTION AFTER YEARS OF SPAWN FAILURES & POOR MANAGEMENT.
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