Feature Photo: Captain Ben Whalley and his clients release a beautiful bass at water level. ABC 123? Let’s face it: fisheries management conversations need more acronyms. At the August 6th ASMFC Summer Meeting, the Striped Bass Plan Review Team (PRT) presented the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) review and state compliance
One number has quietly shaped striped bass management for nearly 30 years: 9% release mortality. As of summer 2026, the Striped Bass stock assessment benchmark process is in full swing and the implications of release mortality estimates have never been greater. The following blog examines the science behind catch-and-release mortality,
ASMFC Summer Meeting – August 4–6, 2026 The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission meets in Arlington August 4-6 for its Summer Meeting. Several boards will convene, but a handful of agenda items will shape management decisions for years. Here is a detailed breakdown of what matters most for fisheries conservation
Header Photo Credit: Sean Cobelli Media Spend enough time on social media during the 2026 striped bass migration and you’ll inevitably consume a dominant narrative: the striped bass fishing is better than it’s ever been! Massive trophy fish are being landed from New Jersey to Maine. Anglers are touting their
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission holds its Spring Meeting this week. The quarterly gathering runs from Monday, May 4th through Wednesday, May 6th in Arlington, Virginia. ASMFC is the interstate board that sets the rules for menhaden, striped bass, red drum, and a dozen other species we advocate for
Support South Carolina’s Bold Step to Protect Red Drum. Sign Our Letter of Support for S. 961! Red drum are more than just a prized catch for South Carolina anglers. They’re a cornerstone of the state’s coastal heritage, a vital part of Lowcountry culture, and a powerhouse in the recreational
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
This guide is meant to educate anglers, conservationists, and the public about the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (ASMFC) Draft Addendum II to Amendment 2 of the Red Drum Fishery Management Plan (FMP). This document breaks down the issues, explains the science, and highlights how you can get involved to influence decision-making by
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
Fisheries management along the Atlantic coast is a mess, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) continues to prove why with its latest moves at the 2025 Summer Meeting, held August 5-7 in Arlington, VA. Striped bass, lobster, and redfish are in trouble. Those are the three most economically
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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