Black sea bass are an economically important species found along the East Coast. Their range has been shifting northward in recent years. In the mid-Atlantic, this federally-managed species migrates seasonally as water temperatures change.

They move offshore and south in the fall and return north to coastal areas and bays in spring. Scientists need to know how resilient adult black sea bass are to cold winter temperatures to improve stock assessment models and better manage the species.

Using our Howard Lab’s recirculating aquaculture systems, our scientists studied the physiological effects of exposing black sea bass to their lowest known thermal tolerance. They found adult black sea bass to be more resilient to very cold temperatures than previously reported for younger fish.

This suggests that more adult black sea bass may survive cold mid-Atlantic winter water temperatures than previously understood. (NOAA FISHERIES)