Slight boost in rockfish numbers

Chesapeake Bay rockfish produced more juvenile fish this year than last year, but the number is still below average, according to state data released yesterday.

Department of Natural Resources biologists use a time-tested technique to measure juvenile fish - they drop a seine net at prescribed spots around the bay and count the fish they catch.

In 2009, they counted an average of 7.9 rockfish, also called striped bass, in each net. That's better than 2008's 3.2 fish per net, but off from the long-term average of 11.7.

Biologists have been measuring juvenile fish in this manner since 1957, making it one of the...