Striped Bass in Canada
In Canada, Striped Bass are managed by Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) in three designated management units that are often called 'populations' (as they are in the map below). The term 'population' can cause problems in conveying and interpreting Striped Bass. Currently all three management units are designated as at-risk by the Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), and the St. Lawrence management unit is listed as extirpated by the Species At Risk Act (SARA), but the population was stocked with Miramichi River Striped Bass some years ago and is again viable.
Striped Bass management units or 'populations' in Canada - Government of Canada, 2014
Bay of Fundy Population
The Bay of Fundy Striped Bass management unit was designated as Endangered by COSEWIC in 2012. Historically this management unit spawned in three rivers: the Annapolis River (NS), the St. John River (NB), and the Shubenacadie River (NS); but due to the installation of hydrodams and habitat modification this management unit is now only known to spawn in the Shubenacadie River.
This management unit is unique compared to other Canadian populations because Striped Bass populations from the United States come into the Bay of Fundy in the summer months to feed, making the fishing opportunities greater and making the native population appear larger. There are many knowledge gaps for this management unit including a recent population estimate, when the U.S. bass enter and exit the system, what the recreational fishing pressure is on our native population, and more.
