Salmon advocates in Canada seek striped bass cull as scientists urge caution

Published 2024년 3월 6일

Tridge summary

The Atlantic Salmon Federation is advocating for an 80% reduction in the striped bass population in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, blaming it for the decline in other species like salmon, smelts, and gaspereau. However, some biologists argue that the striped bass are being unfairly targeted and that there's insufficient evidence to support these claims. The Eastern New Brunswick Coastal and Inland Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee is set to make a recommendation on striped bass management measures, while the Department of Fisheries and Oceans is preparing a decision to be announced in the spring. The southern Gulf ecosystem is under pressure from climate change, invasive species, and fishing efforts.

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Original content

Is a resurgent striped bass population gobbling up everything at the mouths of southern Gulf of St. Lawrence river estuaries? Should humans kill a bunch of them to protect salmon, smelts and gaspereau? The answers depend on who you ask. The Atlantic Salmon Federation wants the Gulf’s striped bass population knocked back by 80 per cent to about 100,000 spawners through the expansion of a small commercial fishery and a loosening of restrictions in the recreational fishery. But there are biologists calling for caution — arguing striped bass are being made a scapegoat. And that it would be unwise to target a still-recovering population without enough evidence that the bass are actually responsible for the plight of the other species. The tangle of questions and opinions has fallen before the Eastern New Brunswick Coastal and Inland Recreational Fisheries Advisory Committee. Its recommendation will go to federal Fisheries Minister Dianne Lebouthillier for a decision on striped bass ...

Source: Saltwire