. F isbcries Service Maritimes Region. R csource Development Branch MANUSCRIPT REPORT I+ Environment Canada Environnement Canada RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT BRANCH

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A Preliminary Investigation of the Striped Bass, Roccus saxatilis, Fishery Resource in the System, and the General Distribution of Striped Bass in Other Areas in Southwestern

by

G. H. PENNEY FOR REFERENCE USE ONL Y DO NOT REMOvt FROM LIBRARY

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Restricted

MANUSCRIPT REPORT

No. 73- 4

A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF THE STRIPED BASS, Roccus saxatilis ~ FISHERY RESOURCE IN THE ANNAPOLIS RIVER SYSTEM, AND THE GENERAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRIPED BASS IN OTHER AREAS IN SOUTHWESTERN NOVA SCOTIA

BY

G.H. PENNEY Restricted

A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF THE STRIPED BASS, Roccus s axatilis , FISHERY RESOURCE IN THE ANNAPOLIS RIVER SYSTEM, AND THE GENERAL DISTRIBUTION OF STRIPED BASS IN OTHER AREAS IN SOUTHWESTERN NOVA SCOTIA

BY

G.H. PENNEY

DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT FISHERIES SERVICE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT BRANCH HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA MARCH, 1973. CONTENTS

PAGE

INTRODUCTION ...... • . . . . . • . • . . . . . • . . . . . • . . . • 1

METHODS 8

RESULTS 10

(a) Angling Statistics (1951-1972)-Annapolis River system ...... 10 (b) Length, Weight, Sex, and Age of Striped Bass sampled from the Annapolis River in 1972 .....• 12 (c) Residence Distribution of Anglers from which Samples were obtained ...... 16 (d) Angling Pressure for Striped Bass during June, July, and August, 1972, at the Annapolis 18 Causeway ...... •...... (e) General Distribution and Abundance of Striped Bass in Other Areas in Southwestern Nova 20 Scotia ......

DISCUSSION - RECOMMENDATIONS ...... 25

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT S ...... 34 35 REFERENCES ...... •..... INTRODUCTION

Life History and Habits of the Striped Bass

Spawning: The striped bass, Roccus saxati lis (Walbaum) is anadromous, and ascendes Canadian rivers such as the Annapolis,

Miramichi, Saint John, St. Lawrence, and Shubenacadie; from brackish or salt waters in early June and deposit their eggs near the head of tide. The eggs sink in quiet water but are easily swept along by water currents, since they are almost buoyant. They hatch in three days at 58-60°F and in 2 days at

67°F. Female striped bass reach maturity at 4-5 years of age and males somewhat earlier. Striped bass spawn more than once but not necessarily every year. (Leim and Scott, 1966). Mansueti

(1955) describes the spawning act in which a single female is surrounded by a few to several dozen males. The number of eggs produced by each f emale varies with size; a three pound female producing about 15,000 eggs while a 50 pound female ma y produce about 5,000,000 eggs (Mansueti, 1955).

Size and Distribution: Merriman (1941) found that striped bass most comrnonly taken on the Atlantic coast by commercial and sport fishermen, vary in size from less than one pound to about

10 pounds in weight. Individuals up to 25-30 pounds, however, are b y no means rare, and not infrequently bass up to 50-60 pounds are caught. Several weighing 125 pounds were caught near Edenton, North Carolina, in 1891.

The striped bass is indige nous to the Atlantic coast of - 2 -

North America, and ranges froro Florida to the Gulf of St.

Lawrence, and is rnost cornrnon from North Carolina to Massachus­ etts. The striped bass was introduced on the Pacifie coast, where its centre of abundance is the San Francisco Bay Region, and the extreme limits of its distribution are Los Angeles

County, California, and the Columbia River (Merriman, 1941).

Leim and Scott (1966) in their outline of striped bass distribut­ ion in Canada state that it is not found north of the Laurentian

Channel.

Movernent: Raney (1958) in his description of the striped bass states that newly hatched fish live in open water, but when they are about one-half inch long, scho~ls of them move inshore, where they stay at least through their first summer. During their second summer, when they are more than six inches long, they school in the rivers or move down into the bays or sounds.

Leim and Scott (1966) describe the striped bass as being coastal in its habitat, and it is seldom found more than a few miles from shore, except during spring and fall migration. Merriman

(1941) found that the presence of young fry and srnall striped bass in brackish waters of large rivers on the Atlantic coast, and the absence of juvenile and young bass along the outer coast,

indicated that striped bass do not undertake coastal migration until they are about tw~years-old. Pearson (1938) broadly classifies the movement of striped bass as being coastal, sea

sonal and spawning.

Feeding: Leim and Scott (1966) describe the striped bass as a voracious feeder. In the sea it eats a wide variety of small - 3 - fishes such as alewives, herring, smelt, eels, flounders, nwnmichogs, rock eels, sand lance, silver hake, and silversides, and feeds on invertebrates including squid, crabs, sea worms, and arnphipods. Immature specirnens in were found to feed largely on the sand shrimp. Leim and Scott (1966) also report that in Shubenacadie Lake , Nova Scotia, where the stripe bass are in freshwater, they eat insect larvae, young alewives, elvers, and yellow perch.

Recent correspondence originating frorn the Annapolis

District Board of Trade has shown concern that there is no closed season orother restrictions, to protect what they believe to be a declining run of striped bass to the Annapolis

River. At present, the striped bass angling season is open year-round in the Annapolis River, as well as the rernainder of the Province of Nova Scotia, and there are no size or bag lirnits.

The Conservation and Protection Branch of the Fisheries

Service have, however, reported significant increases in recent years of the nurnbers of striped bass angled in the Annapolis

River. They report an average of 44,661 fish angled each year for the years 1969 to 1972 inclusive, as compared to an average of 3,895 fish per year for the previous 18 year average.

The Annapolis River originates in Kings County and f lows through Kings and Annapolis Counties for a distance of about

50 miles. The river empties into the at - 4 -

Annapolis Royal, and the basin in turn empties into the Bay of

Fundy through the Digby Gut. Head of tide is located in the

Paradise area, and is about 20 miles upstream from Annapolis

Royal. The largest tributaries are found on the south side of

the Annapolis River, and the largest of these; the Allain

(Lequille) and Nictaun Rivers have hydro-electric developments on them.

In 1958 to 1960, the Maritime Marshland Rehabilitation

Administration of the Nova Scotia Department of Aqrir.ulture

in conjunction with the Nova Scotia Department of Highways,

constructed an aboideau on the Annapolis River, which was built

both for the purpose of reclaiming marshland for agricultural

use and to act as a highway bridge. The aboideau is located at

Annapolis Royal, and built into it are two water level control

gates; each 10 feet wide and 24 feet high. At least one of

these gates is partially or full y open at all times, which '

permits free passage of f ish in either direction (Smith and

Coates, 1960). The Allain and Nictaux River hydro-electric

dams do not contain fishways, and therefore, fish cannot ascend

these streams from the Annapolis River. Figure 1 outlines the

Annapolis system.

Because of the concern expressed by the Annapolis District

Board of Trade, and because of our lack of biological information

on striped bass in eastern Canada, some data was collected

during the surnrner and autumn of 1972, to obtain an indication

of the composition of the str iped bass run to the Annapolis

River. Size, sex, and age were determined for fish submitted - 5 - by anglers. Observations were made on angling pressure, and in- formation was obtained on the residence location of successful anglers. Sorne of their comments and views on the general status of striped bass angling and regulations were noted.

Commercial catches of striped bass in the Annapolis River area have been recorded only occasionally, as most commercially caught bass are taken inadvertently while f ishing for other species; especially those taken while commercial herring weirs are being operated. Figure 2 shows the approximate locations of commercial herring weirs in the Annapolis Basin and adjacent areas in the .

The southwestern portion of Nova Scotia is surrounded by

Atlantic Ocean and Bay of Fundy waters. Because of the large numbers of striped bass found in the Annapolis River system, available angling statistics and commercial catch records were compiled for other areas in southwestern Nova Scotia, to provide information on the general distribution and abundance of striped bass there. Wlltenlille J

FIGURE 1 . OUTLINE OF ANNAPOLIS RIVER SYSTF~. BAY OF FUN DY

FIGURE 2. LOCATIONS OF COIPERCIAL HERRING llEIRS IN T1E ANNAPOLI S BAS 1N AHD 1N ADJACENT AREAS OF THE BAY OF FU!IOY.

ANNAPOLIS BASIN

R $? R 9

~

9 9 Commercial Herring Weirs - 8 - METHODS

To obtain an indication of the magnitude of the striped bass sport and commercial f ishery in the Annapolis River system in particular, and in other rivers or areas in southwestern

Nova Scotia in general, available angling figures as reported by staff of the Conservation and Protection Branch each year f rom

1951 to 1972, were surnmarized. Records of commercial catches of striped bass were also obtained.

The principal method of data collection in the Annapolis

River during the 1972 field season (June-November) was by requesting anglers to submit their catches for length, weight, sex, and age determinations. Data was collected by one student working 37.5 hours each week, and hours of work were arranged so that the student would be collecting data when the greatest angling pressure was expected.

Measurements of total length, fork length, and weight were made on each f ish sampled. Scale sarnples were obtained from each fish. From these scales, ages of individual fish were determined by counting the annual rings deposited on the scales, as described by Mansueti (1961). Fish were aged and classified as to age groups according to the specific nurnber of rings after annulus formation in the spring and sumrner. For example, a two-ring fish taken after annulus formation in the spring and surnrner would be classed as age group II. If the same fish, however, had later been taken in the winter when growth had ceased or if it had been taken in the very early spring before - 9 - the third annulus formation, its age group would be advanced one year, and it would be classified as age group III. Sex was determined on f ish when anglers would permit their f ish being cleaner or examined internally. Sorne anglers, however, preferred to take their fish home without it being cleaned or eut open for internal examination.

Records were kept on the residence location of successful anglers who submitted their catch for data collection. These residence locations were recorded by counties in Nova Scotia, by provinces of Canada, and by American states.

Observations on angling pressure for striped bass in the immediate area of the Annapolis causeway were recorded. During each period the student was in the causeway area, she would record the number of different anglers, and noted whether they were fishing from shore or from boats. The total number of diff erent anglers in the causeway area during weekly periods is shown as rods/week.

Anglers submitting their fish for data collection would often freely provide information as to their opinion of the bass· angling and what, if anything, should be done to manage or control exploitation of the resource. - 10 -

RESULTS

(a) Angling Statistics (1951-1972) - Annapolis River System

Statistics reported by Fishery Off icers of the Conservation and Protection Branch on numbers of striped bass angled each year in the Annapolis River system, and their total and average weights, are shown in table 1. The figures are shown separately for the

Annapolis River and for , which is a tributary of the system and empties into the lower portion of the Annapolis Basin

(figure 1).

The angling figures reported shows that the yearly catch in the Annapolis River has increased tremendously in the years

1969-1972, while the average yearly catch for these years in the

Bear River has decreased over previous years. The same trends are shown by average weights of fish taken from the rivers. - 11 -

ANNAPOLIS RIVER BEAR RIVER Number of Total Average Nurnber of Total Average Year Fish Weight(lbs) Weight(lbs) Fish Weight(lbs)Weight (lbs)

1951 2,350 12,050 5.1 535 2,415 4.5 1952 2,100 6,050 2.9 545 1,160 2.1 1953 1,645 4,900 3.0 360 720 2.0 1954 6,015 44,650 7.4 6,280 48,550 7.8 1955 4,095 35,840 8.8 5,168 47,164 9.1 1956 390 3,306 8.5 271 2,531 9.3 1957 288 2,558 8.9 132 1,520 11.5 1958 205 722 3.5 5 35 7.0 1959 153 749 4.9 3 21 7.0 1960 1,580 17,435 11.0 880 9,360 10.6 1961 4,258 25,729 6.0 1,659 9,636 5.8 1962 2,168 17,440 8.0 464 1,430 3.1 1963 3,510 15,805 4.5 251 1,763 7.0 1964 10,533 54,143 5.1 1,302 2,758 2.1 1965 7,141 29,760 4.2 675 1,900 2.8 1966 10,178 44,140 4.3 90 237 2.6 1967 6,205 33,299 5.4 212 1,175 5.5 1968 7,289 51,160 7.0 133 548 4.1 MEANS 3,895 22,208 6.0 1,054 7,385 5.8 1969 49,505=--=-=-=-~~-=-:::-:--=-:..-:-~~~---::----:-~~~~-t--~-='""~~~~-..,,....--==-=-~~--,,--:,--~ 57,885 5.2 506 1,770 3.5 - 1970 58,135 379,730 6.5 355 1,315 3.7 1971 41,670 330,335 7.9 244 1,305 5.4 1972 29,335 252,382 8.6 233 922 4.0 MEANS44,661 305,083 7.1 335 1,328 .2

Table 1. Nurnbers, total weight, and average weight of striped Bass angled each year frorn 1951-1972 in the Annapolis and Bear Rivers. - 12 -

(b) Lerigth, Weight, Sex, and Age of Striped Bass Sampled from the Annapolis River in 1972

During the period from June 1 to October 31, 1972, data was obtained from a total of 232 striped bass provided by anglers.

Of the 232 fish sampled, their mean fork length was 22.0 inches and their mean weight was 5.96 pounds. Age determinations from scale samples were done for 182 f ish, and sexing of 114 of these

182 fish was possible.

Table 2 shows the age distribution among the fish that could be aged, and the means and ranges in fork lengths and weights of each age group. The results presented in table 2 may ref lect the overall composition of the striped bass run to the Annapolis River. They show that among the 182 fish that were aged, age groups III-VIII make up about 86% of the fish.

The mean weight for fish in these age groups is 4.7 pounds, and their mean fork length is 21.0 inche~. Numbers of fish found in age groups above VIII become less as age group in- creases. The figures in table 2 also show that among the various age groups found, there is a wide variation between lengths and weights of individual fish in a particular age group.

The age distribution, mean fork lengths and weights, among the fish for which sex was determined, are shown for male and female fish in table 3. Due to the number of age groups found among fish for which we were able to determine sex, the numbers of male and female f ish included in analysis of each of these age groups is small, and can provide only an in- dication of the composition of sexes and their relative sizes.

The results do show, however, that the mean fork length for male

fish in all age groups is 22.6 inches, and for females 25.0 - 13 -

inches. The rnean weight for males was 5.3 pounds and 7.2 pounds for fernales. - 14 -

AGE NUMBER FORK LENGTH (I.nches) WEIGHT (lbs) GROUP OF FISH MEAN RANGE MEAN RANGE

III 16 16.3 14.0-18.0 2.5 1.5-5.0

IV 37 18.5 15.5-25.0 3.1 2.0-7.0

V 46 18.8 14.0-24.0 3.5 1.75-7.0

VI 26 21. 6 17.0-26.0 4.9 3.0-7.5

VII 19 25.6 19.0-31.5 7.1 3.0-12.5

VIII 13 25.1 20.0-28.0 7.1 3.0-10.0

IX 8 25.8 21.0-36.5 8.4 4.0-23.25

X 6 28.1 24.5-30.0 8.8 5.5-11.25

XI 3 27.7 24.0-31.0 8.5 6.0-11.0

XII 4 32.0 28.0-36.0 14.4 10.0-18.75

XIII 1 33.0 25.8

XIV 2 35.5 34.0-37.0 21.1 14.75-27.5

XV 1 39.0 26.0

182

Table 2. Age distribution, rnean fork length, weights, and ranges for each age group, arnong striped bass sarnpled frorn the Annapolis River in 1972. - 15 -

MALES FEMALES AGE NUMBER MEAN MEAN NUMBER MEAN MEAN GROUP OF FISH F.L. (In) WT. (Lbs) OF FISH F. L. (In) WT. (Lbs)

III 7 16.8 2.4 2 15.8 3.4

IV 13 17.9 2. 9 8 18.9 3.2

V 15 18.1 3.1 16 19.1 3.5

VI 10 22.2 4.9 6 21.5 5.2

VII 2 25.0 6.5 10 26.4 7.5

VIII 3 25.5 6.8 6 23.8 6.3

IX 2 24.0 6.5 4 28.l 10.9

X 1 29.5 9.0 5 27.8 8.8

XI 1 24.0 6.0 0

XII 0 2 32.0 15.4

XIII 0 0

XIV 0 1 37.0 27.5

54 60

Table 3. Age distribution, mean fork lengths and weights for each age group of male and female striped bass sampled from the Annapolis River in 1972. - 16 -

(c) Residence Distribution of Anglers from which samples were obtained

The residence of each angler submitting samples was obtained to provide information on where the greatest angling pressure was coming from. The residence distribution of anglers who provided the 232 fish that were sampled is shown in table 4; for the various counties in Nova Scotia , for the various provinces iri

Canada, and for United States residents. Based on these figures

84 percent of the anglers are from Nova Scotia, with Annapolis and Kings Counties providing 64 percent of the anglers . Other provinces in Canada were represented by 10 percent of the anglers and United States residents accounted for the remainder. - 17 -

NOVA SCOTIA NUMBER ANGLERS % OF ANGLERS by COUNTIES PROVIDING SAMPLES PROVIDING SAMPLES

Annapolis 22 38 Digby 1 2 Halifax 4 7 Kings 15 26 Lunenburg 4 7 Queens 1 2 Yarmouth 2 3 TOTALS 49 84%

OTHER PROVINCES

New Brunswick 2 3 Ontario 1 2 Quebec 2 3 Prince Edward Island 1 2 TOTALS -6- 10%

UNITED STATES

Massachussets 1 2 New Jersey 1 2 New York 1 2 TOTALS --3- -n

Table 4. Residence Distribution of Anglers who provided Striped Bass from the Annapolis River in 1972 for Data Collection - 18 -

(d) Angling Pressure for Striped Bass during June, July, and August, 1972, at the Annapolis Causeway

The angling pressure observed at the Annapolis causeway area was recorded during the months of June, July, and August, and these observations are presented in table 5. Results are shown as number of rods per week, and show whether anglers were fishing from shore or from boats. Although the results do not represent the total angling effort in this area, they do, however, show that during the summer months the causeway area is a very popular location for angling striped bass. When the majority of people undertake summer holidays during July and August, the angling pressure at the causeway was a mean of

85 and 70 rods per week respectively. The observations on angling pressure also show that f ishing is done from shore to a much greater extent than from boats.

During our 1972 sampling program, the number of fish submitted each month for data collection, for which individual catch dates were recorded is as follows:

JUNE JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER OCTOBER TOTAL

Number of Fish 51 24 18 78 37 208

Percent 24.5% 11.5% 8.7% 37.5% 17.8% 100%

These figures indicate that the most successful angling for striped bass in the Annapolis River in 1972, was during the months of June and September. - 19 -

RODS/WEEK RODS/WEEK TOTAL NUMBER WEEK FROM SHORE FROM BOATS RODS/WEEK

June 5-June 10 26 2 28 June 11-June 17 65 0 65 June 18-June 24 33 0 33 June 25-July 1 97 15 112 MEANS --55 --4 59

July 2 -July 8 76 22 98 July 9 -July 15 65 4 69 July 16-July 22 61 9 70 July 23-July 29 97 6 103 MEANS --75 --10 85

July 30-Aug.5 75 22 97 Aug.6 -Aug.12 80 9 89 Aug.13 -Aug.19 65 7 72 Aug.20 -Aug.26 46 6 52 Aug.27 -Sept.2 38 0 38 MEANS --61 --9 --70

Table 5. Angling Pressure for Striped Bass During June, July and August, 1972, at the Annapolis Aboideau-Causeway Area of the Annapolis River. - 20 -

(e) General Distribution and Abundance of Striped Bass in Other Areas in Southwestern Nova Scotia

To obtain an indication of the general distribution and abundance of striped bass in southwestern Nova Scotia in areas other than in the Annapolis River system, available angling and commercial catch records were compiled. Table 6 lists the rivers for which angling statistics were most consistently reported over the years 1951-1972, by Fishery Officers of the Conservation and Protection Branch. Table 7 shows the commercial catches of striped bass reported for the various

Fisheries statistical districts. The locations of the various rivers listed in table 6, and the division of the southwestern portion of Nova Scotia into Fisheries statistical districts is shown in figure 3.

Although the angling statistics shown in table 6 are not consistently reported each year for most of the rivers listed, they do serve to show that these rivers do provide considerable sport fishing for striped bass. They indicate also that the striped bass populations fluctuate widely in these rivers in different years. The rivers listed in table 6 are only a portion of the rivers in southwestern Nova Scotia where striped bass are caught. Among other rivers, for which striped bass angling figures have been reported only occasionally, but which provide information on the general distribution of bass are: Cornwallis, Economy, Five Islands, Habitant, Maccan, Mersey,

Parrsboro, Sable, Sissiboo, and Weymouth Rivers. AVON BASS GASPEREAU SHUBENACADIE STEWIACKE TUSKET WALTON YEAR RIVER RIVER RIVER RIVER RIVER RIVER SHORE

1951 135 1,000 902 1952 195 80 360 410 1953 310 140 550 1,010 1954 325 ISO 925 SIS 1955 525 4 OO 375 490 1956 300· 525 21 445 1957 370 276 24 129 1958 178 132 38 490 1959 60 67 46 192 1960 302 125 75 1,204 19()1 44 180 350 160 550 425 19()2 42 135 170 50 520 80 1963 9 175 235 75 513 125 N 1964 65 175 175 100 345 60 1-' 1965 135 155 270 230 225 40 1966 105 155 250 135 120 I967 86 140 38 1968 300 60 32 1969 525 165 770 1970 115 400 930 115 1971 500 475 250 780 850 1972 1,000 525 650 650 MEANS 353 149 318 349 118 456 392

Table 6. Numbers of striped bass angled in various years from 1951-1972 in some Rivers in Southwestern Nova Scotia - 22 -

Commercial landings of striped bass in the various

Fisheries statistical districts, as shown in table 7, indicate that bass are only occasionally exploited commercially. The lack of records on commercial catches of striped bass, could be due in part, to the possibility that landings of fish may include striped bass which are not reported separatelyp but lumped with miscellaneous or other species.

About two-thirds of the total striped bass landings reported were in Fisheries statistical districts in the Bay of Fundy area, with the remaining one-third being landed on the Atlantic

Ocean coastal portion of southwestern Nova Scotia. The commercial catches of striped bass reported show only where the f ish were landed and not where they were caught. - 23 -

FISHERIES STATISTICAL DISTRICT NUMBER YEAR LANDINGS (LBS) VALUE ($)

24 1964 1,600. 510. 26 1963 200. 6. 26 1964 1,000. 210. 27 1964 1,000. 50. 30 1962 14,080. 415. 30 1963 7,415. 253. 38 1962 3,258. 164. 38 1967 1,000. 35. 38 1968 3,000. 166. 40 1962 300. 75. 40 1969 2,000. 325. 42 1962 7,000. 725. 42 1963 4,300. 445. 42 1964 4,700. 515. 42 1971 2,000. 345. 43 1962 7,869. 1,318. 43 1963 3,879. 613. 43 1964 1,828. 290. 43 1971 1,000. 212. 44 1962 500. 150. 44 1964 900. 310. TOTALS 68,829. $7,132.

Table 7. Reported Commercial Landings and Value of Striped Bass in Various Fisheries Statistical Districts. / ; _/ __ --- / COUNTY BOUNDARY / 55 FISHERIES STATISTICAL DISTRICT BOUNDARY

39 35

(39A) (398) I [\.) 1 I 1 1 I IGaspereau I 1 I """ 1 1 I I 1 I I 1 ,____I --- -, I 1 - 1 1 ,., , __ , 1 1 1 1 1 -- 1 -- ...s.- - 1 \ ?C 1 1 / 1 / 1 / 1 1 / 1 / 1 1 1 1 \ 1 1 1 1

Figure 3. Location of Fisheries Statistical District Boundaries in Southwestern Nova Scotia, and Various Rivers for which Angling Statistics on Striped Bass are most consistently reported. - 25 -

DISCUSSION - RECOMMENDATIONS

The accuracy of the angling statistics reported each yèar from 1951 to 1972, for the Annapolis River system, by

Fishery Off icers of the Conservation and Protection Branch is unknown. These figures are estimates based on observat­ ions by Fishery Officers, and on reports to them. They do, however, indicate extreme fluctuations in abundance of striped bass both in the Annapolis and Bear Rivers. Merriman

(1941) shows that the abundance of striped bass on the

Atlantic coast has shown tremendous fluctuations over a period of years, because the striped bass, like many other species is subject to year-class dominance.

The reported average weight of striped bass angled in the Annapolis Rivery system from 1951 to 1972 was 5.8 pounds, as compared to an average weight of 5.96 pounds for 232 f ish that we were able to obtain lengths and weights on in 1972. The mean fork length for these 232 fish was 22.0 inches, with a range of 13.0 to 46.5 inches.

Their weights ranged from 1.25 to 43.5 pounds.

The 182 fish from the Annapolis River in 1972, for which ages were determined, were represented by age groups

III to XV, and age groups III to VIII accounted for 86% of these f ish. The sex ratio of the 114 fish for which we were able to obtain sex was 54 males and 60 females.

For the 182 aged fish in age groups III to XV, they ranged in fork length from 14 to 37 inches; and in weight from

1.5 to 27.5 pounds. Among the 114 sexed fish, the males - 26 - were represented by age groups III to XI and their mean fork lengths ranged from 16.8 to 24.0 inches; and mean weights ranged from 2.4 to 9.0 pounds. The females were represented by age groups III to XIV. The mean fork length of females in the age groups found ranged from 15.8 to 37.0 inches, and mean weights ranged from 3.2 to 27.5 pounds, which indicates that in the Annapolis River, female striped bass are generally larger than males.

Mansueti (1961) summarizes the age, length, weight, and sex distribution among over 1100 striped bass taken by size-selective fishing gear in the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland in 1957-58. Most of the fish taken were represented by age groups II to IV. Known males ranged as follows: age groups II to XI, fork lengths 13 to 37 inches, and weights 0.7 to 25 pounds. Females combined with fish of unknown sex ranged: age groups I to XIV, fork lengths

6 to 42 inches, and weights 0.8 to 49 pounds.

Annual growth rates of striped bass sampled from the

Annapolis River in 1972, as determined by back calculations of growth attained at each annulus on the scales, are not included in this report. This report shows the relative sizes of striped bass in the III to XV age groups. The annual growth rates are being calculated by . University post graduate student; Fred Williamson, and the results are to be presented in his masters thesis in comparing striped bass from the Annapolis and Saint John Rivers. - 27 -

Leim and Scott (1966) found ~triped bass fry from the

Shubenacadie River to be from 1 to 1.5 inches long when only a few weeks old. They report that year-old striped bass from the Minas Basin were from 2.5 to 4 inches long; and two year-old striped bass from the Minas Basin were from

6.5 to 9 inches long. They report that later growth has not been determined for Canadian material. Raney (1958) reports that striped bass have a rapid rate of growth as compared with some other species. He shows a length of

4 to 5 inches at the end of the first year, but an average weight of only one ounce. Increase in weight is rapid, with a weight of 0.25 pounds at two years and a fork length of

8.5 inches; at 4 years of age the weight is 2.25 pounds and fork length is 17 inches; and at the end of the eighth year weight has reached 12 pounds, and fork length is 30

inches .

. Pe arson (1938) reports on the growth of striped bassin

California. On the basis o f length-frequency distributions, the average length of f ish at the end of the first year was approximately 4 inches, at the end of the second year 9.8

inches, at the end o f the third year 13.4 inches, and at the

end of the f ourth year the males are larger, but beyond this

point the females continue their rapid growth while the males show a slower g rowth. - 28 -

Information obtained on the residence location of anglers fishing for striped bass in the Annapolis River in 1972, shows that they represent at least six counties in Nova Scotia, five of the

Canadian Provinces, and three American States. Based on the data col­ lected, the majority of anglers reside in Annapolis and Kings Counties, through which the Annapolis River flows. In these counties are located C.F.B. Cornwallis and C.F.B. Greenwood respectively. Per­ sonnel at these bases take advantage of the near-by striped bass angling. Records that were kept of angling pressure indicate that striped bass angling is popular for about six months of the year. In

1972, it is believed that the months of June and September provided the most successful striped bass angling in the Annapolis River.

Available records show that striped bass are not heavily ex­ ploited on a commercial basis. The total landings reported from 1962 to 1971, among Fishery Statistical Districts in southwestern Nova

Scotia was about 69,000 pounds with a value of about $7,100., Leim and

Scott (1966) state that striped bass are not caught in sufficient quantity in Canada to have much importance as food fish. They report the commercial catch of striped bass from the Canadian Atlantic area for the year 1962, as being 62,000 pounds with a value of $7,000.

Although we have relatively little biological information on striped bass in Canadian or Nova Scotia waters, their presence and abundance in these waters has been known for years. Pearson

(1938) reports that many larvae of striped bass were taken during the surnrners of 1922 and 1923 near the head of the tidal zone in the

Shubencadie River, Nova Scotia. Leim and Scott (1966) state that juvenile striped bass were also very abundant in the Minas - 29 -

Basin at the sarne tirne. They report Canadian distribution as follows: in the St. Lawrence River frorn above Trois

Pistoles, Quebec, to Montreal. In the Gulf of St. Lawrence it is reported frorn the Mirarnichi River and estuary, Tignish,

Prince Edward Island, Malpeque Bay, P.E.I., and at Cheticarnp,

Nova Scotia. In recent years rnany specirnens have been caught at the rnouth of , N.S., Surnrnerside, P.E.I., and

Richibucto, N.B. On the outer coast of Nova Scotia it is reported frorn Canso, N.S., also reported frorn Mira Bay,

Chedabucto Bay, and Mahone Bay, N.S. In the Bay of Fundy, it is found in the Minas Basin area, along the shores of

St. John and Yarmouth Counties, and in the St. Croix,

Digdeguash, Saint John. Kennebecasis, Shubenacadie, and

Annapolis Rivers. Sorne are caught in Shubenacadie Lake, N.S.

Since we have little inf orrnation through studies on striped bass in Canada or Nova Scotia, we therefore, know little of their origins, population structures, races or rnovernents. We can only generalize according to results of studies carried out on striped bass in the United States.

Lewis (1957) points out in his discussion on findings by others, two possibilities for the presence of striped bass in Nova

Scotia; first, that these fish are of northern origin and are cornpletely separated frorn the population farther south, and, second, . that they are of rnixed origin frorn both north and south. He also points to speculation that striped bass rnigrating northestward frorn their wintering areas in

Chesapeake Bay and other more lirnited areas in New Jersey - 30 - and New York probably travel to Canadian shores in some years. Stocks of striped bass in Nova Scotia, and the St. Lawrence River seem to be semi-edemic, but were obviously drawn from p ost Pleistocene northward migrants to the Chesapeake race. Raney and deSylva (1953) state that a knowledge of the source of the stock or stocks which make up the schools of striped bass is vital for conservation administrators and fishery biologists. They obtained a character index which was made by adding the counts of the dorsal, anal, and pectoral (both sides) soft fin rays; and they concluded that the fin ray counts and character indices drawn from these counts will make possible the identification of most if not all the several populations which seem to exist among Atlantic coast stocks of striped bass. Lewis

(1957) found that gill raker counts could be used to separate populations of striped bass.

Nichols and Miller (1967) provide information on movements of striped bass that were tagged during 1959-61 in the Potomac River, Maryland. In these studies 8,973 striped bass were tagged and released. Of the 3,344 (37.3%) recaptured, 98 % were taken in the Maryland part of the

Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, 0.5% were captured in the Virginia part of Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, and 1.5% were taken outside Chesapeake Bay along the

Atlantic coast from Delaware to Nova Scotia. It is interesting to note here, that three of the tagged bass were recaptured in Nova Scotia as follows: one in the Bay of Fundy near the Walton light house 159 days after being - 31 ~ tagged, and 1270 miles from the tagging site; one in the Bay of Fundy off Bear River 99 days after being tagged, and 1260 miles from the tagging site; and one in the Bay of Fundy at Annapolis Royal causeway 127 days after being tagged, and

1240 miles from the tagging site. These three fish re­ captured in Nova Scotia were three years old when tagged, and had a mean fork length of 17.4 inches.

From their striped bass tagging and recovery results,

Nichols and Miller (1967) classified seasonal movements of tagged fish as: (1) wintering (November-Marcq, when the tagged fish were active and some individuals travelled several miles a day. Shortly after release, several tagged fish moved outside the Potomac. In the latter part of the wintering season and early part of the following spawning season, many of the tagged fish moved from the lower river upstream to the spawning grounds. (2) spawning season

(April-June), when the bulk of the ·tagged fish moved into the spawning area early in the season and remained there for most of the spawning period. Most of the tagged f ish moved downstream in the latter part of the spawning season and congregated in the lower river, with several moving into

Chesapeake Bay and tributaries, and a few left the bay.

(3) feeding season (July-October), when tagged fish were scattered throughout Chesapeake Bay and tributaries and the lower Potomac. Most o f the fish tagged in the Potomac during the feeding season remained in the river during the season of release and the following wintering season; a few were scattered throughout the Maryland part of Chesapeake Bay - 32 - and tributaries other than the Potomac.

The movements of striped bass in the Bay of Fundy and

Annapolis River system have not been studied, except for tagging and recovery programs carried out by Smith and Coates from 1960-62, to evaluate the effects of the then newly constructed Annapolis River aboideau-causeway on f ish passage to the Annapolis River. They found through their tag recoveries and through angling recoveries of tagged f ish that some striped bass in the Annapolis River system move about throughout the system, and others remain in the same general location for sometime.

From the available information compiled on angling and commercial catches of striped bass in southwestern Nova

Scotia, they appear to be widely distributed and abundant.

The data collected from the Annapolis River in 1972, provides rather limited information on the biology or general condition of the striped bass population there. Observations, however,

show that they are subjected to intensive and unrestricted angling pressure. There is presently no closed season, size or bag limits on these fish in Nova Scotia. Among anglers encountered in 1972, several strongly felt that striped bass

in the Annapolis River should be protected by a closed season or bag limit, at least until after they had spawned. Sorne

felt that commercial herring weirs in the Annapolis Basin were

taking significant numbers of bass, that would otherwise be

available for angling, and others wer~ of the opinion that

angling success for striped bass varies considerably from

year to year, and perhaps restrictions are not necessary. - 33 - Because of our lack of biological information on striped bass, and because of the numbers reported angled from various rivers in southwestern Nova Scotia, particularly the Annapolis River, it is recommended that extensive studies on striped bass be programed and initiated as soon as possible.

These studies should be designed to provide information on

·such aspects as spawning areas and timing, spawning escape­ ments, feeding, growth, movements. population(s) structures, and their utilization and potential. With a rapid growing emphasis on recreational angling, complete biological informat­ ion is necessary if striped bass populations are to be effectively managed. - 34 -

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Conservation and Protection Branch of the

Fisheries Service provided background information through angling figures and commercial catch records of striped bass. Appreciation is expressed for the assistance and information supplied by local Fishery

Officers during the course of investigations. Mr. Fred

Williarnson, post graduate student at Acadia University, provided valuable assistance by deterrnining ages of individual fish frorn scale sarnples. Acknowledgernent is also extended to the technician and students who participated in the collection of field data, and the excellent co-operation of anglers was rnost helpful. - 35 -

REFERENCES

Leim, A.H. and W.B. Scott. 1966. Fishes of the Atlantic Coast of Canada. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada, Bull. No. 155 485 pp.

Lewis, Robert Minturn. 1957. Comparative study of populations of the striped bass. u.s. Fish & Wildlife Serv. Spec. Scient. R~pt. Fish. No. 204, 54 pp.

Mansueti, Romeo. 1955. Life history of the striped bass in Maryland waters. Md. Tidewater News, 11(9): supplement no. 3:1-2.

Mansueti, Rorneo. 1961. Age, growth and rnovernents of the striped bass, Roccus saxatilis , taken in size selective fishing gear in Maryland. Ches. Sei., 2(1-2) :9-36.

Merriman, Daniel. 1941. Studies on the striped bass (Roccus saxatilis) of the Atlantic Coast. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Serv. Fish. Bull. 50 (35) :1-77.

Nichols, Paul R. and Robert Victor Miller. 1967. Seasonal movements of striped bass, Roccus s axatilis (Walbaum), tagged and released in the Potomac River, Maryland, 1959-61. Chesapeake Science, 8(2) :102-124.

Pearson, John C. 1938. The life history of the striped bass, or rockfish, Roccus saxatilis (Walbaurn). U.S. Bur. of Fish. Bull. No. 28, 49:825-851.

Raney, E.C. 1958. The striped bass. Fish and Wildlife Serv. Bur. of Cornrn. Fish., Fishery Leaflet No. 451, 6 pp.

Raney, E.C. and D.P. DeSylva. 1953. Racial investigations of the striped bass, Ro ccus sazatilis (Walbaum). Jour. Wildlife. Mgt., 17:495-509.

Smith, K.E.H. and H.W. Coates. 1960. Annapolis River fish passage studies 1960. Manuscript Report No. 60-3, Resource Developrnent Branch, Can. Dept. of Fisheries and Forestry, Halifax, 22 pp.

Smith, K.E.H. and H.W. Coates. 1961. Annapolis River fish passage studies 1961. Unpublished Report, Can. Dept. of Fish., Halifax, 32 pp.

Smith, K.E.H. and H.W. Coates. 1962. Preliminary Report - Annapolis River fish passage studies 1962. Unpublished Report, Can. Dept. of Fish., Halifax, 26 pp.

Smith, K.E.H. and H.W. Coates. 1962. Annapolis River fish passage studies 1960-1962. Unpublished Report, Can. Dept. of Fish., Halifax, 17 pp.