12-13-2012, 09:23 PM
There is an article in the scientific publication "Ecology Letters" that talks about how populations of fish that have the large fish harvested cannot recover these large fish because of genetic decline. The larger fish have good genes, the majority of smaller fish have the "stunted" gene, and these fish are now the breeding base for the population. Consequently, the successive generations of fish will be of smaller average size.
But, the issue of a "stunted" fish population is the main concern.
[font "Arial"][size 2]
[size 3]Striped bass are ocean fish that can live in freshwater. Now that this population is landlocked in Lake Mead they are reproducing at an unprecedented rate due to the unique water chemistry of Lake Mead which allows eggs that settle on the substate to hatch instead of smothering as they would in most nutrient-rich (eutrophic) lakes.
With unlimited reproduction the limiting factor for striper survival and growth is available forage. There are too many small stripers in the lake. If enough small stripers are removed then those that are left will benefit from the finite forage base and remain healthy and grow normally.
[size 3]If the larger fish are harvested and the smaller fish left to "grow up"[size 3], there will be (and already is) a stunting problem. The[size 3]re is[size 3] not enough food to suppo[size 3]rt the millions of small stripers swimming around, so they slow their growth patterns, and breed fish that are more adapted to eating less and growing slower.
[size 3][size 3]You get the trend[size 3]. If this con[size 3]tinues for years, the res[size 3]ults could be dis[size 3]appointing.
[size 3]I[size 3]'m no[size 3]t saying that one fish [size 3]harvest is the end of the world, but you get my point. There is much biological science behind my [size 3]position.
[size 3]I would really love [size 3]it if the state implemented a slot limit on stripers.
[size 3]Unlimited harvest [size 3]o[size 3]f fish under 2[size 3]4",
[size 3]One fish [size 3]in the 24"-3[size 3]2" slot,
[size 3]Zero fish taken over 32".
[size 3]It's a management plan that would benefit [size 3]everybody.[size 3] You may get 2 or 3 [size 3]fish a year over 40lbs instead of one. [/size][/size][/size][/size]
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But, the issue of a "stunted" fish population is the main concern.
[font "Arial"][size 2]
[size 3]Striped bass are ocean fish that can live in freshwater. Now that this population is landlocked in Lake Mead they are reproducing at an unprecedented rate due to the unique water chemistry of Lake Mead which allows eggs that settle on the substate to hatch instead of smothering as they would in most nutrient-rich (eutrophic) lakes.
With unlimited reproduction the limiting factor for striper survival and growth is available forage. There are too many small stripers in the lake. If enough small stripers are removed then those that are left will benefit from the finite forage base and remain healthy and grow normally.
[size 3]If the larger fish are harvested and the smaller fish left to "grow up"[size 3], there will be (and already is) a stunting problem. The[size 3]re is[size 3] not enough food to suppo[size 3]rt the millions of small stripers swimming around, so they slow their growth patterns, and breed fish that are more adapted to eating less and growing slower.
[size 3][size 3]You get the trend[size 3]. If this con[size 3]tinues for years, the res[size 3]ults could be dis[size 3]appointing.
[size 3]I[size 3]'m no[size 3]t saying that one fish [size 3]harvest is the end of the world, but you get my point. There is much biological science behind my [size 3]position.
[size 3]I would really love [size 3]it if the state implemented a slot limit on stripers.
[size 3]Unlimited harvest [size 3]o[size 3]f fish under 2[size 3]4",
[size 3]One fish [size 3]in the 24"-3[size 3]2" slot,
[size 3]Zero fish taken over 32".
[size 3]It's a management plan that would benefit [size 3]everybody.[size 3] You may get 2 or 3 [size 3]fish a year over 40lbs instead of one. [/size][/size][/size][/size]
[/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/size][/font]
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