DNR Fisheries Service Recognized By International Fisheries Conservation Group
Striped Bass Program Receives Accolades

 OCEAN CITY – The Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service Striped Bass Stock Assessment Project has been selected as the top project by an international professional fisheries conservation organization.

The American Fisheries Society selected the Investigation of the Striped Bass in the Chesapeake Bay as the top project for the Administrators Section Sport Fish Restoration Awards program in the Research and Surveys category for 2004.

“The story of Maryland’s striped bass is an outstanding example of why resource management decisions should be based on science. I appreciate the hard work of the Striped Bass Stock Assessment Project, its manager and its seven team members,” Governor Ehrlich said during a tour of Maryland’s Coastal Bays. “The comprehensive research this team provides allows the state’s fisheries managers to make informed policy decisions and continue to conserve our state fish.”

Established in 1986, Maryland’s Striped Bass Stock Assessment Project is responsible for managing the state’s striped bass, commonly known as rockfish. Maryland is the largest producer of striped bass along the Atlantic Coast; the fish is the state’s official fish.

“I am pleased to accept this award on behalf of the Striped Bass Team, and on behalf of the state of Maryland,” said Harry Hornick, Manager of the Striped Bass Stock Assessment Project. “We look forward to continuing to monitor and conserve this resource for the environmental, cultural, recreational and economic benefits for the state.”

Since 1986, Maryland’s striped bass population has been restored to historically high levels. The population was depressed throughout the 1970s and early 1980s and a subsequent 4-year moratorium was implemented in 1985. The Striped Bass Project conducts an annual striped bass juvenile index survey, which measures the abundance of juvenile striped bass and allows biologists to make predications and conservation recommendations to continue to protect this resource.

For more information on Maryland’s efforts to restore the striped bass population, visit the DNR web site at www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/education/rockfish/rockfish.html

The American Fisheries Society (AFS), founded in 1870, is the oldest and largest professional society representing fisheries scientists. AFS promotes scientific research and enlightened management of resources for optimum use and enjoyment by the public. It also encourages a comprehensive education for fisheries scientists and continuing on-the-job training. The AFS publishes some of the world's leading fisheries research journals:

AFS organizes scientific meetings where new results are reported and discussed. In addition to these primary functions, the Society has many other programs in areas such as professional certification - http://www.fisheries.org/html/Certification.shtml, international affairs, public affairs and public information.

More than 100 chapters, divisions, student subunits, and sections carry out the mission of the society at the local, regional, and special interest level.