Sport Fishery Harvest and Effort on Albemarle Sound, North Carolina

A creel census was conducted on Albemarle Sound and its tributaries from February 1, 1977 through January 31, 1980 to estimate the total annual sport fishing pressure and harvest of major sport fish species, particularly striped bass (Morone saxatilis). Total sport fishing effort was in excess of 400,000 party-hours per year, and largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides), was the species for which the greatest amount of specific effort was exerted. The harvest of striped bass and most other species declined drastically during the study. The relative harvests of the sport and commercial fisheries operating on the Albemarle Sound-Roanoke River striped bass population are compared and possible causes of the decline in harvest are discussed.