Alright, no surprise here. The NYDEC has released their survey numbers for the YOU in the Hudson River, it's not good. If we go by the science what can you say? Since 1985 this looks like the lowest index yet.
So what is going on with all these returns? Maryland, Virginia, now New York are all reporting catastrophic numbers of young striped bass in the natal rivers. Now the fish they are looking for are the babies, the 1- say 10 inch tots that are less than a year old. The fish spawn in the spring and the surveys are done, usually a couple of times and in several locations, months later. So, either the conditions in the rivers aren't supporting a good spawn, there's not a lot of spawning fish, or they just aren't returning or are all taking a year off.
There are reports that New Jersey has released the results from their 2023 Delaware River survey but I haven't seen them as of yet so I won't report them, but rumors have it they are dismal as well. Pennsylvania does their own surveys and they haven't been published yet.
All of this just adds pressure to the ASMFC and the individual states to meet the rebuilding goals. The YOY numbers have been one of the most important factors in determining the health of the striped bass. Remember, history repeats itself....a moratorium is on it's way. I think you MIGHT see a catch and release only fishery in the future, with the commercial fisheries placed on hold.