A University of Maine research team is conducting a groundbreaking study on striped bass foraging ecology, marking the first comprehensive assessment of the species’ diet within Maine waters. While the dietary habits of striped bass have been well-documented in southern Atlantic waters, a significant data gap exists regarding what these fish are consuming while they inhabit the Gulf of Maine. This cooperative research project aims to understand how their diet shifts across different ages, sizes, locations, and seasons, ultimately helping scientists understand the flow of energy throughout the local coastal ecosystem.
Recreational anglers are being invited to play a role in the study by donating filleted fish racks from legal-sized striped bass. The research team only requires the carcass and internal organs to study the stomach contents and health condition of the fish; anglers keep their fillets for the table. To participate, anglers simply need to place the filleted rack in a plastic bag with a label indicating the date and the location of the catch. These samples should be kept on ice or frozen before being dropped off at one of several partner locations, including Saco Bay Tackle in Saco, Webhannet River Boatyard in Wells, Fishermen’s Edge in Edgecomb, the Darling Marine Center in Walpole, or the Maine Department of Marine Resources in West Boothbay Harbor.
After contacting lead researcher, Abby Remick, she wanted to emphasize that they also use various other sampling methods, “I want to make sure your readers know that we use a lot of non-lethal sampling of striped bass to support the conservative catch and release nature of this fishery. We go out on charter boats who volunteer their time, or other recreational boats, which help us get on the fish, catch, sample and release the fish. This allows us to get what we need, the stomach contents, and then release the fish which supplements our collection of lethally-harvested racks so we can sample under and oversized fish, too.”
The most common method Abby and her team use when sampling non-harvested fish is called ‘gastric lavage’ which is a form of stomach flushing which is conducted in less than 45 seconds.
When asked what the most gratifying aspect of her current research was, Abby didn’t hesitate, “The most rewarding part of this project has been working with the Maine recreational fishing community. The success and outcomes of this project rely heavily on the willingness of Maine anglers to contribute their time, knowledge, and filleted catch to support this research. Their commitment has transformed this effort into a true cooperative research project, and I’m incredibly grateful for their continued support, which made it possible to conduct one of the most comprehensive studies of striped bass feeding ecology in Maine waters!”
This study is particularly timely as the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission works to rebuild striped bass stocks. The data collected from these donations will feed directly into ecosystem-based fisheries management, helping to quantify how many commercially harvested prey species like Atlantic menhaden, herring, and mackerel are being consumed. This information allows managers to make more informed decisions that protect both the predators and their essential prey.
Anglers who prefer to arrange a direct pickup or charter captains interested in hosting technicians for non-lethal sampling trips can contact Abby Remick at 401-651-1034 or via email at abrielle.remick@maine.edu.
