Question Period Note: Striped Bass Abundance in the Miramichi River

• My Department is aware of recent reports of high abundance of striped bass in the gaspereau fishery in Miramichi and the impacts it is having on fishing operations.
• Striped bass is native to the southern Gulf of St. Lawrence and, while its population has generally increased over recent years, it also experiences annual fluctuations and must be managed cautiously.
• This year, late spawning has caused a temporary overlap with the gaspereau fishery.
• While the Miramichi River is the sole confirmed spawning ground for Southern Gulf Striped bass, most striped bass have now moved out of the river.
• We continue to have discussions with local gaspereau fishers to better understand the impacts of striped bass on the fishery.

• Gaspereau fish harvesters, through their fishing association, have recently raised concerns that the apparent increase in striped bass stocks is severely hindering their ability to conduct their fishery.
• A recent update of stock status indicators was conducted in 2024 under the Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat. Striped bass abundance continues to fluctuate, and the population was still in the cautious zone of the Precautionary Approach Framework in both 2023 and 2024.
• Given the lack of information on striped bass fishing efforts across the southern Gulf, the Department needs to achieve a balance between retention opportunities and ensuring a healthy stock.
• The Department has been steadily increasing striped bass access. In 2024, daily bag and possession limits increased from 3 to 4. The communal commercial fishery, established in 2018, saw its allocation increase from 50,000 to 125,000 fish for the 2025 season. We also continued and expanded a pilot project for the lobster fishery in 2025, although striped bass incidence in lobster traps remains very low.
• The Department is having discussions with the Maritime Fishermen’s Union and gaspereau fishers on the management of striped bass.

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