9781934874400-ch47
Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation
Black Bass Diversity: Multidisciplinary Science for Conservation
Joe E. Slaughter, IV
doi: https://doi.org/10.47886/9781934874400.ch47
Black bass Micropterus spp. are among the most studied and manipulated fishes on the planet; however, there is substantial variability in the amount of scientific knowledge about black bass species. At the time of this writing, there were thousands of peer-reviewed articles published in American Fisheries Society (AFS) journals alone, describing almost every imaginable aspect of Largemouth Bass M. salmoides, Florida Bass M. floridanus, and Smallmouth Bass M. dolomieu management and biology (ecology, life history, propagation, fisheries, diseases, genetics, etc.). Conversely, there were fewer than 100 peer-reviewed AFS articles on Redeye Bass M. coosae, Guadalupe Bass M. treculii, Shoal Bass M. cataractae, and Suwannee Bass M. notius combined. After more than a century of fisheries science and management, greater emphasis is now being placed on these lesser-studied, lesser-understood species, and the world of bass management is growing to include not only management of bass populations for anglers throughout their expanded range and in artificial systems, but also conservation of native populations in their native lakes, rivers, and streams.
For the most part, this expansion of scientific and management interest is in response to the realization that we must maintain a balance between managing for anglers and protecting the unique biodiversity of fragile ecosystems. While the consideration of black bass species beyond the context of recreational angling is not new, it represents a significant milestone in the evolution of fisheries management. Black basses not only have significant social and economic importance due to their popularity among anglers, they also have unique and interesting life history characteristics and habitat requirements that make them excellent indicators of aquatic system health. Among black basses then, there exists an interesting paradigm whereby fundamental societal wants for recreation and sustenance coexists with conservation needs resulting from societal growth, often with the same species and in the same watershed.
The complexity of interactions between humans and the environment have led us to a much different way of thinking with regard to fisheries management and ultimately gave birth to this symposium.
As mentioned in the foreword, this volume is the third published proceedings from a national or international symposium focused entirely on the genus Micropterus. The first, edited by Stroud and Clepper (1975), brought together scientists and managers from around the United States to discuss the latest innovations in black bass management. Leading up to the 1975 symposium, most anglers were opportunistic, and panfish were considered far and away the predominant catch. As of 1975, there were only six species recognized by scientists (Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Spotted Bass, Redeye Bass, Suwannee Bass, and Guadalupe Bass). The intent of this first symposium was to improve bass populations through management while also understanding the role bass play in their communities so as to not sacrifice other more numerous species that anglers relied on for sustenance. Since scientists were focused almost exclusively on anglers and their catch, much effort had been exerted to refine propagation techniques to meet angler demand. While the bass fishing industry, as we know it today, was in its infancy, it was growing in popularity as more and more fish were being moved around the country to create new fisheries. To meet the needs of this emerging industry, the 1975 symposium charted a course for future expansion and research focused on more intensive monitoring, regulation management, and habitat manipulation. It was also suggested that stocking alone could no longer meet the growing demand and interest of anglers.
