We propose continuation of the annual survey of juvenile (young-of-year) striped bass in the major virginianursery areas (james, york and rappahannock drainages) using the methods and sampling…

We propose continuation of the annual survey of juvenile (young-of-year) striped bass in the major virginianursery areas (james, york and rappahannock drainages) using the methods and sampling design established bycolvocoresses (1986). Two replicate seine hauls are made at each station by deploying a 100 (30.5M) long,4 (1.22M) deep, 1 4 (0.64CM) mesh minnow seine perpendicular to the shoreline and then sweeping the offshoreend along an ARC down current and then back to the beach. Fish are removed from the net and placed in waterfilledbuckets. All fish are identified and counted all striped bass and all individuals (or a subsample of atleast 25 individuals) of other species are measured to the nearest MM fork length (or total length ifappropriate). Fish taken during the first haul are held until the second haul is completed. Salinity, air andwater temperatures, and dissolved oxygen concentrations are measured after the first seine haul using a ysiwater-quality instrument. Sampling time, tidal stage, and weather conditions are recorded at the time of eachhaul. All fishes captured are returned to the water at the conclusion of sampling, except that a few may bepreserved for life history studies (daily growth, food habits, condition, etc.). The present study will insurethat striped bass recruitment is assessed in all the major spawning and nursery areas of the virginia tributariesof the chesapeake BAY. In addition to providing continuity of the historical record of relative abundance ofyoung-of-year striped bass in virginia waters, this survey also provides a valuable tool for assessing thesuccess if present management measures. The standardization of methodology with the maryland survey has allowed results of this survey to become incorporated into a BAY-wide index of striped bass recruitment. Consequently, the virginia index is a key element in the management of the stock. The survey also provides a valuable measure for the study of stock recruitment relationships (through comparisons with EGG larval and adult spawning stock assessments) and a primary source of data and specimens for concurrent investigations of the early life history of the species.