Fisheries and Oceans Canada is launching a small-scale experimental pilot project to gather data on striped bass by-catch in Lobster Fishing Area (LFA) 25. The project, starting in mid-August and ending in October, will allow a group of lobster harvesters, including Indigenous harvesters, to retain a limited amount of striped bass by-catch for personal use. The data collected will be used to inform potential future regulatory changes allowing the retention of striped bass by-catch in commercial fisheries for use as bait. The project may be expanded to include other Southern Gulf LFAs depending on the outcomes. The government is committed to sustainable management of the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence striped bass stock.