Fisheries and Oceans Canada, under the leadership of Fisheries Minister Diane Lebouthillier, has opted not to proceed with a cull of the striped bass population in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence for the year 2024. This decision was made despite the Atlantic Salmon Federation's request for a significant reduction in the striped bass numbers to improve the survival rates of salmon smolt in the Miramichi estuary, where predation by striped bass has led to survival rates of less than five percent for tagged smolt in recent years. Instead of a cull, the minister has decided to maintain the current commercial fishery quota and slightly increase the recreational fishing daily bag limit, amid concerns from scientists about the potential negative impacts on the ecosystem from a substantial reduction in the striped bass population without clear evidence supporting the need for such an action.