DNR Encourages Anglers To Participate In The Maryland Striped Bass Cooperative Angler Survey

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ANNAPOLIS — This year marks the 10th anniversary of volunteer anglers working with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service staff to manage the striped bass fishery through participation in the Maryland Cooperative Angler Striped Bass Survey. Since its inception, 20,606 striped bass have been reported in the survey.

“This survey is absolutely crucial to the continued management of our striped bass fishery,” said Howard King, Director of DNR’s Fisheries Service. “Participation in the survey has been waning in recent years and we want to remind anglers of the vital role they play in the management and sustainability of this thriving fishery. We thank all anglers, past, present and future, who have taken or will take the time to complete the survey.”

The Maryland Cooperative Angler Striped Bass Survey collects length and fish health data on harvested and released recreationally caught striped bass in the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Coast. These data augments existing state and federal monitoring programs (such as Marine Recreational Fisheries and provides data on short term fishing trends. As an Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) member, Maryland is required to participate in a monitoring program that will provide information on the size composition of the harvest in the striped bass recreational fishery. The survey data is the only source of information on recreationally caught and released undersized fish available to Maryland and Virginia fisheries managers.

To participate in this important survey, visit URL http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/survey/sbsurveyintro.shtml or contact DNR at 1-877-620-8DNR. A packet with forms and postage paid envelopes is available to anglers that do not wish to participate through the Internet.

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May 6, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov