https://onthewater.com/maryland-dnr-...-straight-year
https://www.asmfc.org/species/atlantic-striped-bass
Read the above two links. Even though female breeders have increased threefold since the 80's, the young of the year index in 2023 for stripers was the second lowest in recorded history. Pollution, over harvest of bunker and predation in Chesapeake Bay have caused this entire problem. Address the pollution, push Omega Protein "OP" out for 5 years. If Virginia or Maryland resist, l ASMFC, NMFS and all other coastal states should take Virginia, Maryland and OP to court. As far as predation in the bay mentioned by another poster, if it's a real problem fix it. If it's a man made problem, there's a man made solution. ASMFC has to own this problem, address the two states causing it and stop causing economic ruination for the remaining Mid-Atlantic and Gulf of Maine states, small businesses, party and charter boat operators and recreational anglers all who have God given rights to access and benefit from this resource. Just do your f&$#@?! jobs and manage the problem you allowed VA., Ma. and OP create.
Again another commercial operation who is single-handedly destroying through residual impacts the single largest reproductive habitat of the striped bass and the federal government and state governments and Committees that oversee this fishery allowed it to happen. Now the same agencies are sounding the alarm and will cause the remainder of the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf of Maine States to pay the consequences of their misguided decisions all so politicians, businesses and the states of Virginia and Maryland can line their pockets.