Protection of Striped Bass and Red Drum Fish Populations

This executive order establishes a federal policy to conserve striped bass and red drum fish populations for recreational, economic, and environmental benefits. It directs the Secretary of Commerce to encourage state-level conservation measures, prohibit sale of these fish caught in Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico federal waters, and periodically review population status with the Secretary of the Interior for Atlantic striped bass.

Federal Register Open PDF 72 FR 60531

Key directives

Encourage state designation of striped bass and red drum as gamefish where states determine appropriate
Revise regulations to prohibit sale of striped bass and red drum caught in the EEZ off the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico
Periodically review population status and take appropriate actions within Commerce Secretary's authority
Recommend presidential actions beyond Commerce Secretary's authority
Implement Atlantic striped bass provisions jointly with Secretary of the Interior

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Policy declaration takes effect
Prohibition on sale of striped bass and red drum from federal waters applies

Near term (90d)

Secretary of Commerce to begin revising regulations to implement sale prohibition
Coordination with Secretary of the Interior on Atlantic striped bass measures

Long term

Periodic population reviews to be established
Ongoing state and federal cooperation on conservation designations

Risks & tensions

No explicit deadlines or timelines for regulatory revision, creating implementation uncertainty
Multiple 'as appropriate' qualifiers may weaken enforcement predictability
Exemption for aquaculture may create enforcement challenges distinguishing wild-caught vs. farmed fish
Interstate compact and tribal treaty obligations may complicate uniform implementation
Subject to appropriations availability, potentially limiting resource allocation