CAMBRIDGE, Md.- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced this week that 2012 juvenile rockfish spawning numbers in the Chesapeake Bay are significantly lower than average.
"In 2011 it was one of the fourth highest on record. The average was high at the time, which was a great sign. But again, we try not to get to high with the high's and too low with the low's in other words because these fluctuations are normal," said DNR Fisheries Biologist Eric Durell.
Mother nature plays a big role in rockfish spawning. Experts say the drier the spring, the lower the numbers.
"The fish were here to spawn we know that the problem is the larvae did not survive in the dry conditions we had this spring," said Durell.
Rockfish may have had trouble spawning in the bay this year, but Tom Collins, who owns Cool-Ice Seafood in Cambridge, said that right now his business is having no shortage of supply.
"There is plenty of rock around of all sizes, big rock, medium rock the guys have seen more small rock this year then we ever have," Collins said.
Collins said rockfish is one of his best sellers. He is not worried about having a shortage, at least for now.
"They do that survey every year and go to the same spot. Last year was the highest they ever had, this year was the lowest on record and that doesn't really matter that much," Collins said.
