In the time since, the rockfish stock has expanded, especially in the over 18″ category. This rebound, however, has created a false sense of security about their future.
A five-year study by the Chesapeake Bay Ecological Foundation has measured increased malnutrition and disease in rockfish and has determined the cause to be ecological depletion (insufficient prey for predators) of forage species, mainly bay anchovy and ages 0-1 menhaden. Since 2004, the CBEF, with assistance from East Carolina University, examined more than 7,000 striped bass for the study.
State should work to protect menhaden | delmarvanow.com | The Daily Times