Striped bass numbers drop along East Coast

The striped bass population along the East Coast is shrinking, placing an eight billion dollar industry and a long-standing cultural tradition at risk. Scientists attribute the drop to a combination of human-caused, environmental, and ecological changes. In some years, fishermen make more than 17 million trips to catch the species, but that future is now in jeopardy.

Bill Wetzel, a fishing guide who has operated out of Montauk, New York, for more than 25 years, has noticed the change firsthand. He spends his nights in a modified 4x4 pickup truck, scanning the Atlantic for signs of feeding fish. He logs current seams, sandbar cuts, and cove locations to find where striped bass might be. He also tracks tides and moon phases to predict activity. Despite this preparation, he is uncertain if any fish remain to be caught.

Wetzel said he has not seen a feeding frenzy, or blitz, in four years. He noted that the small fish necessary to sustain the population have disappeared. "There's no small fish left. They're gone," he said. The few fish that remain are typically large, indicating the population is not replenishing itself.

Jason Markowitz, an IT professional and former president of the Montauk Surfcasters Association, swims to offshore rocks to fish. He described the current situation as finding the "last of the buffalo." Many anglers are still finding fish, but the numbers are dwindling. Markowitz said the effort is only worth it if the fish are present.

John Skinner, a 65-year-old author and YouTube creator who has fished Long Island since childhood, also reports a decline. He visits prime spots on the North Fork but often returns empty-handed. He observed a lack of small prey, such as menhaden, which striped bass need to feed on. He also noted a decrease in other large predatory fish in the area.

John Mahan, who has fished Montauk since 1987, said this is the first year he has not caught a striper. He recalled the abundance of fish in the 1980s and 1990s with nostalgia. Mahan suggested that leaving the fish alone for a period might be the best way to save the species. He acknowledged the difficulty of that approach but felt it may be the only option.