Genetic Variation and Management of Striped Bass Populations in the Coastal Rivers of South Carolina

The coastal rivers of South Carolina possess reproducing populations of striped bass Morone saxatilis. Historically, all of these populations have been augmented with hatchery stocks from the Santee–Cooper drainage. Concern has been expressed that locally adapted, reproductively isolated populations may exist in these coastal rivers. Thus, the objective of this effort was to assess the distinctiveness of reproducing striped bass populations in these coastal rivers. Tagging studies indicated that the interriver movement of striped bass was minimal. A population estimate of 406 striped bass longer than 30 cm was obtained for the Combahee River, suggesting a relatively small breeding population. Genetic assays at three nuclear restriction fragment length polymorphism sites showed highly significant allele frequency differences among seven coastal rivers, suggesting reproductive isolation. Partially or fully isolated populations can develop beneficial adaptations to local environmental conditions. Thus, we recommend the use of endemic stock to augment striped bass populations in the coastal rivers of South Carolina.