Striped Bass | Old Maine Outfitters

Attention: Striped Bass

Addendum III - Public Comment Needed!

Updated 9/10/25

Many anglers already know: Atlantic striped bass are still in crisis. The stock has suffered several years of recruitment failure, and without meaningful management change, the 2029 rebuilding goal is in jeopardy. The ASMFC’s Draft Addendum III to Amendment 7 aims to address that.

Old Maine Outfitters stands with ASGA’s recommendations — we believe strong, coastwide measures are needed now. Here’s what you need to know and how you can help save striped bass.

What’s New in Addendum III

Draft Addendum III sets a goal of reducing removals by about 12% coastwide to give just a 50% chance of rebuilding the striped bass spawning stock biomass by 2029. On paper, that sounds like progress, but in reality, it highlights the ASMFC’s repeated failure to take the strong, coastwide action this fishery truly needs. The options on the table — uniform measurement rules to close slot loopholes, stronger commercial tagging requirements to improve accountability, and simplified Chesapeake Bay seasons with uncertainty buffers — are the best choices available within this addendum, but they are far from enough. Instead of bold steps that would secure the long-term health of the stock, the ASMFC continues to offer piecemeal fixes that prioritize short-term interests over meaningful recovery. Each delay and half-measure only pushes the burden onto future anglers and the fish themselves, leaving the 2029 rebuilding target hanging by a thread.

With this is mean, we recommend the following options:

Recommended Options

Section 3.1 – Method to Measure Total Length (Option B)
Uniform total length measurement rules coastwide — mouth closed, tail pinched — to prevent state-by-state discrepancies.
Section 3.2 – Commercial Tagging (Option B)
Tagging at point of harvest for more transparency and accountability.
saltwaterguidesassociation.com
Section 3.3 – Season & Baseline for Chesapeake Bay (Option C)
New baseline layout that includes a buffer to account for uncertainties in fishing effort or environmental shifts.
Section 3.4 – Reduction in Removals (Option B-01)
Equal reductions for ocean and Bay recreational & commercial sectors. No for-hire exemptions. Uniform slot/season structure.

That said, our best bet to save striped bass is for every angler to educate themselves and participate in these public comments. Please find education resources below.

Resources

ASGA: Guide to Draft Addendum III for Atlantic Striped Bass — full breakdown of issues & options.
ASMFC: Draft Addendum III document & public hearing schedule — official source.

Public Comment closes October 3, 2025!

Don't hesitation to reach out with any questions! info@oldmaineoutfitters.com or message us on Instagram!

Thank you!

Thank you for taking the time to learn about striped bass and how you can help! Striped bass are our passion. They are the reason we founded Old Maine Outfitters. We need to work together to ensure future generations will be able to share this same passion.