N.B. striped bass association says DFO management order abandons science, fishermen’s union disagrees

A striped bass is pictured. (Source: Meghan Wilson/DFO)

The Striped Bass Association – Miramichi Chapter said it’s concerned about the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ (DFO) “abandonment of science” in a striped bass management order for the Gulf of St. Lawrence released Friday.

The DFO order requires anybody fishing for gaspereau to keep up to 500 incidentally caught striped bass daily.

“For the reasons described in the memorandum before me, I am of the view that a threat to the proper management and control of fisheries exists and that prompt measures are required to address that threat,” said Minister of Fisheries Joanne Thompson in the order.

The memorandum was not included in the minister’s release.

An administrator with the Striped Bass Association said they are demanding DFO release the evidence and internal advice supporting of the order. They are also requesting a meeting with DFO to discuss striped bass and the consequences of changes to management policy.

“These actions are being taken despite the most recent population data showing striped bass numbers in decline, currently estimated at just 345,000,” said Nick Noel in the association’s release. “This places the population barely above the Limit Reference Point (LRP) and squarely within the Cautionary Zone—a status that would typically prompt greater conservation, not increased harvest.”

The Maritime Fishermen’s Union (MFU) said the striped bass population in the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence is “out of control” and threatening other fisheries in a news release on June 10.

The executive director of the union said gaspereau fishers were catching up to 5,000 striped bass in their nets last year but this year it can be as many as 25,000.

“It has become impossible for them to sort through them,” said Martin Mallet. “They have to throw their entire catch back into the water. So, it’s a fishing effort that yields nothing, but the fishermen still have to pay the expenses.”

Mallet said they’ve been pressuring DFO to review its research on striped bass.

“DFO told us in 2024 that, according to scientific assessments, there has been a decline in the population. It’s hard for us to believe that,” Mallet said. “The species is overflowing its natural habitat, riverside fishermen are catching more and more of them, and our lobster fishermen are reporting an abundance of this fish in their traps.”

The Striped Bass Association said it’s critical that fisheries management is guided by science – not politics – in a response to a CTV News story about the MFU’s concerns. It said the striped bass population has been stable since 2015 with the exception of one anomalous year.

DFO’s new order comes after other recent decisions regarding striped bass, including:

• an experimental project launched in April allowing striped bass bycatch retention in the lobster fishery
• an increase in the Indigenous striped bass quota to 175,000 from 50,000 in July 2024
• daily bag limit increased to four fish between 50 and 65 centimetres for recreational striped bass fishing in April 2024

The Atlantic Salmon Federation has advocated for striped bass population controls including culling to balance the ecosystem for salmon smolts.

DFO was unavailable for comment regarding the management order or requests to see the memorandum referenced in the minister’s letter. A representative said the department would respond to CTV Atlantic as soon as possible.