Roanoke River striped bass creel survey and estimation of economic impacts, 2015

ROANOKE RIVER STRIPED BASS CREEL SURVEY AND ESTIMATION OF ECONOMIC IMPACTS, 2015 Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Project F-108 FINAL REPORT Kevin J. Dockendorf Kerry J. Linehan North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission John M. Hadley North Carolina Division of Marine Fisheries North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Inland Fisheries Division Raleigh 2016 Keywords: Striped Bass, Angler Effort, Expenditures, Roanoke River, Recreational Landings This project was funded under the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program utilizing state fishing license money and federal grant funds derived from federal excise taxes on fishing tackle and otherfishing related expenditures. Funds from the Sport Fish Restoration Program are used for fisheries management and research, aquatic education, and boating access facilities. The program is administered cooperatively by the N.C Wildlife Resources Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Abstract.— Creel clerks conducted 957 angler interviews to assess angler characteristics and harvest of Striped Bass Morone saxatilis from the Roanoke River Management Area (RRMA) in 2015. During the 64-day harvest period (1 March - 3 May), angler parties expended an estimated 111,418 angler hours (SE = 17,372) for Striped Bass. Estimated harvest was 20,031 Striped Bass (SE = 3,450), which weighed 26,745 kg (SE = 3,119) or 58,962 lb (SE = 6,876 lb) and this harvest estimate was 85.7% of the 2015 Total Allowable Landings (TAL) of 68,750 pounds. Including harvested Striped Bass, anglers caught an estimated 98,432 Striped Bass (SE = 17,491) during the harvest period. Approximately 64% of the total harvest was composed of the 2011 year class (age 4) comprised of female (42%) and male Striped Bass (22%). During 4-19 May, anglers expended 12,229 angler-hours (SE = 4,813) for an estimated released catch of 29,839 Striped Bass (SE = 12,236); anglers indicated that 61% were less than 18 inches, 36% were between 18-22 inches, 2% were in the protected slot limit, and four Striped Bass were greater than 27 inches. Angler origin was summarized for the entire creel survey period, and about 27% of the anglers from parties interviewed were from five counties bordering the Roanoke River; 65% were from another 67 NC counties, and 8% were non-residents of 19 states and 2 countries. Estimated angler trip expenditures contributed approximately $1.7 million in economic output in North Carolina. Adaptive management strategies that address sustainable harvest scenarios and adequate spawning regimes contribute to the persistence of the popular recreational Striped Bass fishery on the Roanoke River. 1