Diets of Striped Bass in coastal New Hampshire & Maine
PROJECT BACKGROUND
In partnership with researchers at Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GBNERR), the Fish & Movement Ecology lab at UNH is investigating the diets of Striped bass (Morone saxatilis, often called "striper"), a popular recreational fish native to our area. We are interested in where, what, and how much striped bass are eating in the rivers, estuaries, and marine waters of the Seacoast. Knowing what Striped bass are feeding on throughout the spring, summer, and fall will help researchers understand how the diets of these fish are influencing their growth and reproduction. Knowing more about the feeding, growth, and reproduction of Striped bass will help natural resource managers to manage and conserve these ecologically and culturally important coastal New England species.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Striped bass is considered one of the most popular recreational fisheries in the country!
THE PLAN
To know what fish are eating, we need to collect the stomach contents of the animal. This can be done non-lethally, by flushing out the stomach with water. Researchers will spend time at local fishing hotspots and on boats. When someone catches a striper, we will ask if we can sample the fish before it is released. If the fish is within legal size limits and the angler plans on keeping the fish, we will ask if we can keep the guts, head, and a small piece of muscle or fin.
GET INVOLVED!
Do you fish for striper around the Seacoast? We want to hear from you!
CHARTER BOAT CAPTAINS: Do you have extra space for two researchers on one of your trips? Or would you be willing to ask your clients if we could have the guts of the striper they keep? Reach out!
RECREATIONAL ANGLERS: If you know of local Seacoast fishing hotspots where lots of people fish, are interested in donating guts of striper you keep, or are interested in two researchers tagging along on your boat for a day, let us know!
WHAT DATA CAN WE COLLECT FROM A STRIPER?
Stomach contents
Looking at stomach contents can tell us what species of animals a fish has eaten in the past few hours.
Otoliths
Otoliths are the ear bones in fish. Otoliths allow us to age the fish they came from .
Length & Weight
Length and weight give us information on the size and condition of a fish.
Muscle tissue
Collecting a small sample of muscle can tell us about diet in recent months.
Sex & Maturity
Collecting fish gonads (reproductive organs) can tell us if the fish is male or female and what their maturity stage is.
Fin tissue
We can collect a small (thumbnail-sized) sample of fin tissue to look at genetics and diet over time.