Striped bass (Morone saxatilis) have been commercially harvested for many years, however wild stocks have declined due to environmental degradation, habitat loss and overfishing. The U.S. wild fishery of striped bass was 6.8 million kg (15 million lbs.) in 1973, but declined to less than 0.2 million kg (0.5 million lbs.) in 1990. In the past few years striped bass populations have started to rebound due to restrictions on their harvest, but are unlikely to approach the 1973 levels. In response to decreased commercial catches, the striped bass and its hybrids have been commercially produced in ponds, raceways, and tanks to fulfill the established commercial markets. The 1995 aquaculture production was 4 million kg (9 million lbs.).

In the culture of larval fish of various species, e.g., walleye (Stizostedion vitreum), hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis X M. chrysops) and sunfish (Lepomis spp.), management of the zooplankton forage base is critical to successful transition of larvae to the fingerling stage. In addition, information regarding the relative status of plankton (zooplankton and phytoplankton) communities gives insight into water quality parameters and the possible success or failure of the culture season. The dynamic characteristics of zooplankton populations have led researchers to use particular fertilization techniques and speciesspecific zooplankton inoculations in culture ponds (Colura and Matlock 1983; Geiger 1983a; Farquhar 1984; Turner 1984; Geiger et al. 1985). The intent of these management techniques was to maintain high densities of desirable zooplankton species in culture ponds until fish were harvested or able to consume commercial feeds.