GUNPOWDER RIVER

by Jerry Kustich

It is my honor to be a member of the Gunpowder Riverkeeper Board. This beautiful tailwater not only provides drinking water to Baltimore, but it also affords a wealth of recreational opportunities from fishing to hiking to rafting along much of its length. While the upper section offers a beautiful fly-fishing experience for wild brown trout, the tidal section is home to striped bass, largemouth, and hickory shad that chase the fly as well. Thanks to Riverkeeper Theaux Le Gardeur, who also owns Backwater Anglers fly shop, the Gunpowder River is always under a watchful eye ready to thwart any issue that threatens the Gunpowder’s valuable role for the entire region.

PHANTOM FISH
by Jerry Kustich

Finally, I hit a hot streak for striped bass last week in the upper Chesapeake Bay. Since its population has plummeted 70 to 80% from its high point in the late 90s, one would think there would have been a better management plan for stripers in place to prevent another population collapse like the one that occurred in the 80s.  While many would say the present situation is dire, others agree it is still not hopeless if we act immediately with a sense of urgency. But for guys like me, finding them while paddling around in a kayak these days is more a matter of luck than anything else.

There are many factors in place contributing to the demise of this exciting sport fish, and much finger pointing as to the cause, but many would agree that the Atlantic Marine Fisheries Commission (AMFC) has dropped the ball in its role to come up with a consistent strategy to maintain a balanced and sustainable fishery for not only striped bass, but also for other species like weakfish, bluefish, and summer flounder. With several coastal states all implementing a confusing combination of regulations that satisfy the angling wishes of each state, the big picture result is that drop-by-drop the striped bass population has dwindled to a precariously low level.

Being relatively new to the area, it has been difficult to understand all the forces and factors at play. Striped bass are heavily sought after and harvested by commercial, recreational, and charter boat interests. Add to this poor recruitment due to warmer temperatures, erratic spring weather patterns, and increasing habitat degradation and it seems obvious why the fish species is struggling. It doesn’t help either that many of the stakeholders have been denying the science indicating the downhill trend for the past several years. It is ironic that the same science responsible for GPS and fish finder technology is so readily dismissed when it comes to the truth about the diminished fish populations. Unfortunately, the foot dragging has only has made matters worse as years click on by.

There is a movement to get striped bass and the other declining Atlantic species to be included in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Act (MSFA) scheduled to be re-authorized this coming year. MSFA has been responsible for restoring and maintaining the population of over 40 species from Maine to Alaska including tarpon, redfish, spotted sea trout, etc. Thanks to organizations like American Saltwater Guides Association and Captains for Clean Water et al. in conjunction with Ocean Conservancy, there is a movement to get striped bass included under the MSFA management umbrella. Call your congress person to support the re-authorized and updated MSFA if you are interested in conserving our ocean fishery resources. 

For now, based upon comprehensive input from the public, AMFC has recently come up with a more universal ten year management plan that seems very confusing to understand, but many involved with Atlantic Ocean fishing believe it is a step in the right direction. Only time will tell whether striped bass has a future or whether they will become a phantom fish destined to swim only in the dreams of generations to come.