---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 5155"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "5155"
heading: "Continuing studies of striped bass populations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/5155"
units:
  - "Chapter 71A — Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation"
---

# §5155. Continuing studies of striped bass populations

- (a) **In general—** For the purposes of carrying out this chapter, the [Secretaries](/usc/16/5152.md?p=12) shall conduct continuing, comprehensive studies of [Atlantic striped bass](/usc/16/5152.md?p=2) stocks. These studies shall include, but shall not be limited to, the following:
  - (1) Annual stock assessments, using fishery-dependent and fishery-independent data, for the purposes of extending the long-term population record generated by the annual striped bass study conducted by the [Secretaries](/usc/16/5152.md?p=12) before 1994 and understanding the population dynamics of [Atlantic striped bass](/usc/16/5152.md?p=2).
  - (2) Investigations of the causes of fluctuations in [Atlantic striped bass](/usc/16/5152.md?p=2) populations.
  - (3) Investigations of the effects of water quality, land use, and other environmental factors on the recruitment, spawning potential, mortality, and abundance of [Atlantic striped bass](/usc/16/5152.md?p=2) populations, including the Delaware River population.
  - (4) Investigations of—
    - (A) the interactions between [Atlantic striped bass](/usc/16/5152.md?p=2) and other fish, including bluefish, menhaden, mackerel, and other forage fish or possible competitors, stock assessments of these species, to the extent appropriate; and
    - (B) the effects of interspecies predation and competition on the recruitment, spawning potential mortality, and abundance of [Atlantic striped bass](/usc/16/5152.md?p=2).
- (b) **Socio-economic study—** The [Secretaries](/usc/16/5152.md?p=12), in consultation with with[^1] the Atlantic [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r) Marine Fisheries [Commission](/usc/16/5152.md?p=5), shall conduct a study of the socio-economic benefits of the [Atlantic striped bass](/usc/16/5152.md?p=2) resource. The [Secretaries](/usc/16/5152.md?p=12) shall issue a report to the Congress concerning the findings of this study no later than September 30, 1998.
- (c) **Reports—** The [Secretaries](/usc/16/5152.md?p=12) shall make biennial reports to the Congress and to the [Commission](/usc/16/5152.md?p=5) concerning the progress and findings of studies conducted under [subsection (a)](#a) and shall make those reports public. Such reports shall, to the extent appropriate, contain recommendations of actions which could be taken to encourage the sustainable management of [Atlantic striped bass](/usc/16/5152.md?p=2).

## Footnotes

[^1]: So in original.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 98–613, § 6, Oct. 31, 1984, 98 Stat. 3190; Pub. L. 105–146, § 2, Dec. 16, 1997, 111 Stat. 2675.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1997—Pub. L. 105–146 amended section catchline and text generally, substituting provisions relating to continuing studies of striped bass populations for provisions relating to comprehensive annual surveys.