The striped bass (Morone saxatillis) is a fish that been very popular in the United States since the seventeenth century. The history of the striped bass dates all the way back to 1670 when Plymouth colony built a free school with income strictly taken from striped bass fishermen.[3] The abundance of this fish was fairly small back in the early 1980’s but as the years have progressed, more and more striped bass are populating ocean waters until now. Since 2004, the number of this breed of fish has been steadily decreasing [3] which is creating much debate throughout the marine biology world. 
The fish, who can usually live up to forty years, are fairly big. Their body lengths can be anywhere from twenty to sixty inches and typically weigh in anywhere from thirty to fifty pounds with an occasional one reaching more than one hundred pounds.[1] It is also known that the striped bass is a pretty fast swimming fish due to their long tails which help them move well.[4] They also control themselves very well in turbulent waters. [4] However, these fish prefer to ambush prey who become disoriented in the rough waters. Throughout the years, people have used the striped bass for both recreational and commercial fishing. [3] The striped bass can handle fresh and salt water which is why they live in the ocean and then reproduce in fresh water rivers when they migrate north for the spring and summer.
There are many possibilities for why the population of the striped bass has been steadily decreasing during the last five to six years. Many commercial fisherman and marine scientists believe that the finger can be pointed at the recreational fisherman. They believe that these fishermen are simply overfishing the species which is leading to the decrease in the population. [3] Others believe that the striped bass are not being overfished and it is just the fact that younger fish are harder to find these days in the Chesapeake Bay. [3] Scientists estimate that there is a great amount of bass born every five years in the Bay and the time is soon to come. Right now, the last time there was an influx in young striped bass was over five years ago. [3] This fact gives speculators something to worry about. Another argument is that bacterial diseases, pollutants, and even warming waters from climate change are viable suspects to the issue. [3]
Sources:
1) Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. "Stiped Bass(Morone Saxatillis)"; June 2, 2009 . Viewed February 11, 2010. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/str/
2) Arkansas Striper. "Striped Bass Spawning Habits"; Unknown. Viewed February 11, 2010 . http://www.arkansasstripers.com/striper_spawning.htm
3) Daley, Beth. "Casting Blame in Striper Dispute"; Boston Globe. February 7, 2010. B1
The fish, who can usually live up to forty years, are fairly big. Their body lengths can be anywhere from twenty to sixty inches and typically weigh in anywhere from thirty to fifty pounds with an occasional one reaching more than one hundred pounds.[1] It is also known that the striped bass is a pretty fast swimming fish due to their long tails which help them move well.[4] They also control themselves very well in turbulent waters. [4] However, these fish prefer to ambush prey who become disoriented in the rough waters. Throughout the years, people have used the striped bass for both recreational and commercial fishing. [3] The striped bass can handle fresh and salt water which is why they live in the ocean and then reproduce in fresh water rivers when they migrate north for the spring and summer.
There are many possibilities for why the population of the striped bass has been steadily decreasing during the last five to six years. Many commercial fisherman and marine scientists believe that the finger can be pointed at the recreational fisherman. They believe that these fishermen are simply overfishing the species which is leading to the decrease in the population. [3] Others believe that the striped bass are not being overfished and it is just the fact that younger fish are harder to find these days in the Chesapeake Bay. [3] Scientists estimate that there is a great amount of bass born every five years in the Bay and the time is soon to come. Right now, the last time there was an influx in young striped bass was over five years ago. [3] This fact gives speculators something to worry about. Another argument is that bacterial diseases, pollutants, and even warming waters from climate change are viable suspects to the issue. [3]
Sources:
1) Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. "Stiped Bass(Morone Saxatillis)"; June 2, 2009 . Viewed February 11, 2010. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/str/
2) Arkansas Striper. "Striped Bass Spawning Habits"; Unknown. Viewed February 11, 2010 . http://www.arkansasstripers.com/striper_spawning.htm
3) Daley, Beth. "Casting Blame in Striper Dispute"; Boston Globe. February 7, 2010. B1
4)Striper Space. "Facts About Striped Bass"; Unknown. Viewed February 11,2010. http://www.striperspace.com/facts.html
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