Analysis of Striped Bass, Morone Saxatilis, Otolith Microchemistry Data Suggests Movements of These Fish in the Waters of North Carolina

Striped bass, Morone saxatilis, is an important, highly migratory commercial and recreational species with significant fisheries along the eastern American seaboard.  Their broad migration patterns complicate management strategies.  With three independently managed stocks, North Carolina is greatly influenced by the movement of these potentially intermixing stocks.  In this study, striped bass from two major management areas in North Carolina, the Albemarle and Roanoke River Management Area and Central/Southern Management Area, were used to analyze stock migration patterns.  Otolith microchemistry was used as a proxy for migration patterns as otoliths incorporate trace elemental signatures of the watersheds the fish inhabit.  Otolith microchemistry was analyzed via LA-ICP-MS.  Temporal variation in otolith microchemistry will be used to determine habitat utilization and migratory patterns of adult bass.  Preliminary otolith microchemistry data of the Albemarle Sound will be presented.  It appears that some fish from the Albemarle Sound exhibit anadromy during their lives.  If these results prove to be conclusive, then the management strategies for the Atlantic Migratory Stock and Albemarle and Roanoke Stock will have to change to account for migratory contributions of  Albemarle and Roanoke fish.