Survey of Striped Bass Hatchery Management in the Southeastern United States

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Abstract
The conditions under which striped bass are cultured were characterized based upon a survey of 57 hatchery managers in the southeastern United States and the subsequent analysis of water samples collected from those hatcheries. Regression analysis of water quality variables indicated that salinity of 0.5‰ or greater was the single most important factor influencing striped bass production. Surface waters comprised the primary water source on two-thirds of the hatcheries, whereas wells provided ground water on one-third of the hatcheries. Contaminants, including chlorinated hydrocarbons, phthalates, and heavy metals, were commonly detected in all water sources, but at levels generally considered safe. Most broodfish were collected by either electroshocking or by gill nets. Gametes were manually stripped from the fish at 61% of the hatcheries. Normally fewer than 50% of the resulting eggs were viable. Sixty-two percent of the managers stocked 5- to 10-day-old fry in ponds and harvested them after 34...