Black Sea Bass x
Latin Name: Centropristis striata
Species: Fish
Conservation Status: S3 - Vulnerable
The Black Sea Bass is a very dark fish ranging from dark brown to black in color. The belly is slightly paler than the sides, and their fins are dark with dusky spots. Their preopercle, which is bones in their cheeks are finely serrated, their dorsal fin is a single fin with 10 spines and 11 soft rays. On average they get about 12 inches long and weigh in at 8 pounds, with a lifespan of approximately 20 years.
Range & Habitat
They can be found along the United States East coast from Cape Cod to the Gulf. They’re typically found from 2-120 meters in depth along the shelf. As adults they’re temperature reef fish who inhabit open-shelf and shelf-edge waters. They use structures as habitats, rocky things like corals/oysters beds or even man-made structures. During their juvenile years they occupy coastline habitats with high salinity or lower estuarine water often close to oyster reefs, or pier pilings.
Diet
Black Sea Bass are opportunistic diurnal predators. Adults and older juveniles consume bottom dwelling invertebrates like crabs, shrimp, clams, small fish, and squid. They are opportunistic predators eating anything available at the time. As juveniles they consume zooplankton larvae including amphipods and isopods, also small shrimp.
Life History
Black Sea Bass spawn from January to July, producing between 30,000 and 500,000 eggs in one season depending on their size. They are protogynous hermaphrodites meaning most black sea bass start as females and as they mature they can become males. During mating season the dominant males turn bright blue and have blue humps on their heads. The males also gather a group of females together to mate while aggressively defending their territory. Males typically reach maturity at 2-4 years old which is when the sexual transition occurs, by this age they are 8-13 inches long. Females reach maturity at 1-3 years old and are about 7 inches long. Black Sea Bass don’t have traditional migrations but they often move offshore and more south during the fall, and then return to more northern inshore coastal areas during the spring.
Significance
Black Sea Bass are highly sought after for recreational and commercial fishing. Many people enjoy pole fishing for this species because they put up a good fight making it a fun catch. In the commercial field it’s highly sought after because it’s rich in flavor and buttery, it compares to cod which is considered a high quality fish.
Threats & How You Can Help
Black Sea Bass are subject to overfishing both recreationally and commercially. Policies have been put in place to protect the species. Regulations on fishing gear are the main way to minimize bycatch as well as protect the health of the fish. They are also subject to issues with the drop in ocean salinity levels. As their offspring are raised in estuaries and thrive in high salinity waters, the drop in salinity in coastal waters may hurt the health of their population. The best way to help this population is to be knowledgeable about the species you’re fishing for as well as the possible bycatch you may see. Be proactive about pollution in our ocean and do your part to lessen the damage. Remember to buy your saltwater fishing license from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources website, the funds collected from licenses aid in research for our saltwater species.
Additional Resources
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/black-sea-bass
https://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/species/blackseabass.html