Description

This module utilizes the Maryland striped bass moratorium to highlight the difficult decisions fisheries biologists are faced with when balancing sound science, differing stakeholder viewpoints, and policy.  Students will learn the background story to the decline of the Atlantic coast striped bass as well as become familiar with fisheries management techniques and methodology.  Maps of the upper Chesapeake Bay show the largest historical spawning grounds for the striped bass’ native range.  The module highlights key policies developed for fisheries management in the 20th century.  Furthermore, students will get to analyze the Maryland young of the year (YOY) data set to assess the recruitment of striped bass during three time intervals: pre-moratorium, moratorium, and post-moratorium.  An optional R Markdown document can be used in R Studio for hands-on statistical analysis.  Students will learn the importance of testing for normality when using a parametric approach to data analysis.  Students will complete data transformations and least squares linear regression to assess striped bass recruitment.  This module truly puts the students in the shoes of a fisheries biologist and highlights a regulatory success story of the striped bass.  This module utilizes the Maryland striped bass moratorium to highlight the difficult decisions fisheries biologists are faced with when balancing sound science, differing stakeholder viewpoints, and policy.  Students will learn the background story to the decline of the Atlantic coast striped bass as well as become familiar with fisheries management techniques and methodology.  Maps of the upper Chesapeake Bay show the largest historical spawning grounds for the striped bass’ native range.  The module highlights key policies developed for fisheries management in the 20th century.  Furthermore, students will get to analyze the Maryland young of the year (YOY) data set to assess the recruitment of striped bass during three time intervals: pre-moratorium, moratorium, and post-moratorium.  An optional R Markdown document can be used in R Studio for hands-on statistical analysis.  Students will learn the importance of testing for normality when using a parametric approach to data analysis.  Students will complete data transformations and least squares linear regression to assess striped bass recruitment.  This module truly puts the students in the shoes of a fisheries biologist and highlights a regulatory success story of the striped bass.  

Cite this work