The Atlantic Striped Bass Management Board took another critical step in the long struggle to rebuild and sustain one of the East Coast’s most iconic fisheries when, on August 7, 2025, it approved Draft Addendum III to Amendment 7 of the Interstate Fishery Management Plan (FMP) for public comment. Striped bass are more than just a fish—they are the lifeblood of coastal communities, the centerpiece of countless recreational trips, and a symbol of conservation success, turned cautionary tale. But the most recent data continue to paint a troubling picture. Despite previous addenda and emergency measures, the 2024 stock assessment update confirmed that the stock remains overfished, with less than a 50 percent chance of rebuilding to target levels by 2029, the deadline established under current management. This sobering reality prompted the Board to put forward a new suite of management actions designed to chip away at mortality rates and tilt the odds back in favor of a successful rebuild.
The math behind the problem is straightforward, if not disheartening. According to projections using final 2024 Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) estimates, striped bass need a coastwide reduction in removals to have even a coin-flip’s chance of reaching rebuilding goals on time. A 12 percent reduction provides roughly a 50 percent probability of hitting the mark, while an 18 percent reduction would push that chance to about 60 percent. For now, the Board has opted to pursue the 12 percent path, striking a balance between meaningful conservation and the reality that states, anglers, and commercial operators must be able to live with, under the restrictions imposed. Critics will argue that such a modest cut leaves too much risk on the table, but managers clearly weighed biological urgency against economic and social feasibility in making their choice.
Draft Addendum III offers a broad set of tools aimed at both recreational and commercial fisheries. On the commercial side, quota reductions will mirror the 12 percent overall target, trimming harvests in line with rebuilding requirements. The recreational fishery, which accounts for the majority of removals coastwide, will see its share of adjustments through potential changes to size limits, bag limits, and seasonal closures. Depending on the region, these closures could range from 36 to 61 days, hitting during periods when mortality from harvest and catch-and-release tends to be highest. Such measures are never popular, but they are designed with precision to maximize the conservation benefit while spreading out the burden across states and user groups.
Several regulatory refinements in the addendum could also pay long-term dividends in compliance and enforcement. One is the proposal to shift commercial tagging requirements to the point of harvest or first landing, rather than at the point of sale. This seemingly small adjustment could significantly reduce illegal harvest and improve traceability throughout the supply chain. Another proposal calls for standardizing the definition of “total length” used to measure fish across jurisdictions. Right now, slight differences in measurement methods create loopholes that undermine size limit enforcement. By closing that gap, managers hope to ensure that every angler is playing by the same rules, no matter where they fish. The addendum also looks closely at Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay recreational season, proposing simplified regulations that better account for release mortality rates while making the rules easier for anglers to follow and for wardens to enforce.
Taken together, these measures represent an attempt to walk the tightrope between conservation and access. The 12 percent reduction may not satisfy those who believe only the more aggressive 18 percent cut can realistically deliver rebuilding by 2029, but it is at least a step in the right direction. By incorporating stricter tagging protocols, standardized measurements, and streamlined rules in the Bay, Addendum III seeks to squeeze out efficiency gains that go beyond simple harvest reductions. These may prove to be some of the most consequential parts of the package, because better compliance and reduced confusion can magnify the impact of every other regulation already in place.
Still, doubts remain. Even with these changes, the forecast leaves the fish with no better than even odds of rebuilding on time. That sobering statistic underscores the fragility of the stock and the razor-thin margin for error. If recruitment falters or compliance weakens, the rebuilding goal could slip further out of reach, and stricter actions may follow. Managers will need to keep their finger on the pulse of the stock and be prepared to adjust quickly if progress stalls. Stakeholders, too, will need to recognize that sacrifices today may be the only way to avoid even harsher restrictions tomorrow.
The process now shifts to the public. Draft Addendum III will be published in late August 2025, with hearings and a formal comment period to begin on September 8. This is the opportunity for anglers, conservationists, guides, commercial operators, and anyone who values striped bass to make their voices heard. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) will review all feedback at its annual meeting in late-October, when final decisions on the measures will be made. The stakes could not be higher, because the rules adopted will directly shape the availability of striped bass and the experiences of millions of fishermen in the years ahead. Information on public hearings and instructions for submitting written comments are available through the ASMFC website at www.asmfc.org
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Ultimately, Addendum III should be seen as a cautious but necessary course correction. It will not, by itself, guarantee rebuilding. But it represents a pragmatic attempt to bend the trajectory in the right direction while maintaining buy-in from the diverse interests invested in the striped bass fishery. Success will depend not just on the words in the addendum, but on the commitment of anglers to comply, of managers to enforce, and of communities to accept short-term sacrifices for long-term gain. Striped bass have always inspired passion, and if that passion can be channeled into stewardship, there is still reason to believe that this great fish can recover its former abundance. For now, Addendum III is the best chance we have to start turning the tide.
To see all meeting dates for Addendum III look to the news brief section of this issue of the magazine.
